Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Jambai, Thirukovilur, Villupuram

Jambai, Thirukovilur, Villupuram
Jambai is a 1 km2 village in Tirukkoyilur  taluk in Villupuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The major occupation of the people living at this place is agriculture and handloom. In 2011, it had a population of 2,000 people.

Etymology
Jambai got its name from Jambunatheshwarar temple, a Chola period (Shiva) temple. According to the inscriptions present inside the temple, this village was called as Valayur during the Parantaka Chola I period. Hence, "Jambai" might be a later name to this village.

Location
Jambai is located on the northern bank of the river, Thenpennai. It is 19 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Tirukkoyilur and 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Thiruvannamalai.

About the village
Jambai village has more-than-1000-year-old heritage. At Jambai, Saivism, JainismBuddhism and Saktism prevailed. In 2006, a beautifully carved 10th century A.D. Buddha sculpture was stolen from the middle of the Fort area paddy field. There are two Siva temples, One Saptamatrika shrine, one Ayyanar temple on the hill and other Ayyanar temple in north east corner of the village. Jain Tirthankara relief carving is seen in the hill on the way to Pallichandal. The importance of the village comes from the presence of the Shiva temple called Jambunatheshwarar temple and Jambai malai containing 1st century B.C.E. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain abode, caves and beds.

History
Jambai is a small hamlet in Tirukkoyilur talk of Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located in the Manalur Pettai subdivision of Tirukkoyilur taluk which has twenty one villages including Jambai. It lies at a distance of 19 km in the west of Tirukkoyilur on the northern bank of river Pennai. It is surrounded by natural caverns archaic hillocks and green fields. Jambai occupies an important place in the history of Tamil Nadu. It has a deep antiquity. The antiquity of this place can be traced back to the Neolithic period (B.C.E 4000-2000).

There are evidences to prove the existence of a Neolithic settlement in vicinity of the village. The Neolithic polished hand axes of black stone and stone flakes are found scattered in large number in this area pointing to the existence of a Neolithic settlement in and around Jambai. Jambai had a continuous history and a few settlements of Iron Age have also been noticed. Different types of burials belonging to the Iron Age are found in the northern bank of the river Pennai. These burials are well known in South India as Megalithic burials dating back to 6th century B.C.E.

Vicinity of Jambai such burial types are also found in the neighbourhood of Jambai at places like Devariddiyarkuppam, (1.K.m from Jambai), Kangainur (2.K.m from Jambai), Sembadai (3K.m. from Jambai) Kottur (22 K.m from Jambai), and Tayanur (23 K.m. from Jambai). In the light of the above facts, it may be noticed that Jambai and its neighborhood could have been inhabitation region of Tamil Nadu right from the Neolithic age. This region occupies a significant place not only in the early historical map, but also in the pre and proto historical map of South India. The last phase of the Megalithic period with the early Sangam age and therefore the existence of settlement at Jambai during the Sangam age are proved beyond. But there is no direct reference to Jambai in the Sangam literature.

However Tirukkoyilur, region which lies at distance of 19 K.m. in the east of Jambai, is referred to in many of Sangam works like Sirupanarru Padai, Purananuru, Narrinai, Kurunthogai and Pathitrupathu, According to these works, Tirukkoyilur region was ruled by the Sangam chieftains, known as Malayamans during the Sangam age. Therefore Jambai and its neighbourhood might be existed as a flourishing part of Tirukkoyilur region and should have come under the rule of Malayaman chieftains during the Sangam age. The Malayamans were the chieftains of the Cholas during the Sangam age. On many of them served as commanders in the Chola army at the times of territorial contest.

It is noticed that Thirumudikkari was the earliest ruler of Malayaman family mentioned in the Sangam works like Agananuru, Purananuru and Kurunthogai. He was one among the Kadai Elu Vallalgal is meaning the seven great patrons of literature and arts during the Sangam age were Pari, Ori, Kari, Nalli, Pehan, Ay and Adiyaman. These chieftains were often at war with each other. It is glanced from Purananuru that Thirumudikkari once attacked Adiyamman Anji of Tagadur (modern name Dharmapuri region) and in retaliation Adiyaman invaded & captured Tirukkoyilur. This was attested by the discovery of Tamil Brahmi inscription near Jambai in 1981. This record is important because there is no inscriptional evidence to the Adiyaman chiefs till then. This Jambai inscription assumes historical significance in this respect. Moreover, it throws light on the identification of the Satyaputra rulers mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions. It is now believed that the Satyaputras are the chiefs Adiyaman. It also gives ratification to the war between Adiyaman and Thirumudikkari and of the former's victory and also confirms the existence of the rule of the Malayaman chief Thirumudikkari over Jambai during the Sangam age.

After the fall of the Sangam rulers, Kalabhras held sway over the Tamil country. But the origin and names of Kalabhras rulers are still obscure due to lack of sources and hence this period was, considered as the “Dark Period”, in the history of Tamil Nadu. It is gathered from the Kasakkudi plates of the Pallava ruler Simhavishnu (586-610 C.E) that defeated the Kalabhras, Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas and even the Ceylonese and his country extended from Andhra region to the Kaveri delta. Tirukkoyilur region seems to have been under the control of the Pallavas but it was not directly ruled by them. A record of the Pallava ruler Nandivarman II in 735 C.E at Manalurpettai (4 K.m from Jambai) records that Bana chief Vanakovarayan Sittavadatto Adigal was ruling this area. It is further stated in the record that his daughter Madavodigal gifted two villages to burn a perpetual lamp in the local temple. It is a well known fact that the Bana rulers assumed the title Vanakovarayars and Vanadirayars.

More over the inscriptions found in the Jambai temple also indicate that Jambai was situated in the political division called Vanakopadi nadu which was obviously the Paddi or territory of the Vanakovarayars. Just referred to the original territory of the Banas in ancient time was called Perumbanappadi which extended from Punganur in the west to Kalahasti in the west in the Telugu country. It is surmised that a small colony of the Banas at a later stage moved further south crossing the Palar River which was their Southern boundary and settled on the banks of the river South Pennai, calling the new province as Vanakoppadi nadu. Hence is understood that Jambai in Vanakoppadi nadu was ruled by the Banas during the Pallava period until the Chola ruler Aditya-I (871-907 C.E) established his power in this region after defeating the Pallava ruler Aparajita in 891-892 C.E.

During Chola Period Parantaka I (907-955 C.E), The Cholas rose to power in the middle of the 9th century C.E. under Vijayalaya who captured Thanjavur from the Mutharayars. His son Aditya I assisted the last Pallava king Aparajithavarman in the battle of Sripurambiyam against the Pandyas and then turned against him and killed him. He put an end to the rule of the Pallavas in the Tamil country and extended his sway up to Thondaimandalam. Paranthaka was the son and successor of Aditya and he extended the boundaries of his empire upto Kanyakumari in the south Nellore in the north. He included the Pandya kingdom and assumed the title of “Madurai Konda Parakesari Varman” in his third regional year after his victory over the Pandyas and capturing of their capital Madurai. Towards the end of the rule of Parantaka (I) a substantial protection of Thondaimandalam slipped out of his hands and it was annexed by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna III who invaded Kanchi with the help of Butuga II, the western Ganga ruler. The decisive battle at Takkolam in 949 C.E. ended in great failure to Parantaka I and Rajaditaya his eldest son was killed in this battle and Krishna brought Thondainadu and Thirumunaippadi Nadu which comprised the Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts under his control for a short period of over three decades 949-968 C.E. We have no Chola records from these districts for a short period while Krishna’s records from 955-968 C.E. are found in these regions.

After the death of Krishna III in 968 C.E, The Rashtrakuta inscriptions disappear and the Chola records began to reappear in increasing numbers in this region indicating the revival of Chola control during the reigns of Kandaradiya, Arinjaya, Sundara Chola and Uttamachola. There are eight inscriptions of Krishna III found in this Jambunatha temple at Jambai. These inscriptions recorded that the gifts were presented in cash and he was kind to this temple. There are totally eight inscriptions of king Krishna III records gifts of lamps and sheep’s to the temple. Jambai was called in various Names (i.e.) Valaiyur, Nittavinapuram, Rajendrapuram, Virarajendapuram, and Sambai during the period of Cholas, attested by the records in the temple.

At present it is a village on the northern bank of the Pennai. The earliest inscription of this temple belonged to Parantaka I. It refers to Jambai as Valaiyur. This name must have been derived from the sage, Valaimamuni who was a native of this village. He was called Valamamuni because he took the form of a fish called Vala fish in Jambai. According to the local tradition, there was pond where the Jambunatha temple is found at present and the main deity (linga) was formed on its own in this pond. When the sage saw this linga in the pond he took the form of a fish and entered the pond to lordship the linga. Hence he came to be called Valaimamani and this village should have derived the name Valaiyur in memory of the sage.

It has an ancient temple called in the past according to the earliest inscription Parantaka I that of Tantonrippiran at Pennai-Vadagarai Valaiyur. Another inscription describes that Valaiyur was a city of Valaiyur by Viranarayaniyar queen of Kandaraditta and the daughter of Solamadeviyar mentioned in Jambai was known as Valaiyur during in during the Parantaka Chola period. Nittavinodapuram was one of the titles assumed by king Rajaraja I. After the death of Krishna III in 968 C.E, The Cholas re-established their power in this region hence to ascertain the regained Chola power in the region the name of the ruling monarch Nittavinodan was attached to this village as Nitta Vinodapuram. This village was called Jambunathesvaram during the reign of Rajendra I Kulottunga I and Vikrama Chola as attested by the records in the temple. It means the place of lord Jambaineswarar. Jambai was called as Rajendrapuram during the reign of Rajendra II [1051-1053C.E] and during the subsequent period of Virarajendra [1063-1069C.E] it was called Virarajendapuram. From the time of Kulottunga (I), this village came to be called as Sambai. This name should have been derived from the word Sambai which means Solpith (i.e.) Aeschynome. Aspera which is a kind of sledge due to the Luxuriant Sambu grass here, the village should have derived the name Sambai which has also mentioned in the inscriptions as Sanbai and Sambai. This can be viewed in the larger context of several villages in Tamil Nadu which are named after honey as Tenor and milk as paalur etc. Though the inscriptions of this temple mention the name of the principal deity as Tantorniswarar, the local people call the deity as Jambuskewarar, Initially the name should have been pronounced as Sambukeswarar meaning the Lord Siva who bestow happiness and the village where the temple of Sambukeswarar located come to be called as Sambai.

After the decline of the Chola power on when this place subsequently conquered by Kadava chief Kopperunjingan, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar rulers, as the same name Sambai was retained. The name Sambai had corrupted as Jambai in due course of time. Kopperunjingan was one among the feudatories of Cholas when the Chola power at the centre declined during the reign of Raja Raja III, he took advantage of it and established his power at Sendamangalam near Villupuram in 1234.C.E. As a result Jambai came under his rule for as short period. But soon he was over powered by the Pandya a ruler Sundara Pandya I who captured Sendamangalam in 1279 C.E. from the onwards Kopperunjingan become a subordinate of the Pandyas until his death in 1297 C.E. There are totally five inscription of Kopperunjingan in this temple raining from 1253-1258 C.E. They mention about the gifts and endowments made to the temple by him and officials. Towards the end of the 13th century C.E, The Pandyas rose to power.

Maravarman Sundra Pandya invaded the Chola country and defeated Raja Raja III in 1219 C.E. This led to the decline of the Chola power in Tamil Nadu and Raja Raja III was made a vassal of the Pandya kings. The final blow to the Cholas came when Jatavarman Sundra Pandya I invaded Chola country during Rajendra Chola III period in 1257 A.D. His success in the war led to the establishment of the Pandya rule in the Chola country. This temple has six inscriptions belongs to the later Pandya period All of them are related to donation of lands. The hegemony of the Pandyas in the considerable portion of South India did not last long. In about 1308 C.E. after the death of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan a civil war broke out between his two sons Sundra Pandyan and Vira pandyan.

During the period three invasions of Muslims had taken place in Tamil Nadu so much of confusion and uncertainty prevailed in the region. The atrocities committed by the Muslim rulers of Delhi in the south paved the way for the rise of Vijayanagar Empire in the South. There are totally ten inscriptions of the Vijayanagar period found in the temple of Jambai. The Vijayanagar Empire on the banks of river Tungabhadra heralded a new era for the revival of Hinduism and Hindu Kingdom in Tamil Nadu. Harihara I was the first ruler of Vijayanagar Empire. He ruled from C.E.1336 to C.E.1355. During his reign Kumarakampana son of a Bukka (I) (1344-1377C.E), took an expedition to the south and extended the conquest of Vijayanagara dynasty was attested by the Thiruverangam grants. Kishnadevereyar Thiruverangam is a village near Jambai at a distance of one Kilometer. After the death of Harihara II (1377-1404C.E), there was a struggle for the crown among his three sons Virupaksha I, Bukka II and Devaraya I, In this Devaraya-I succeeded to the throne and became the great ruler of Vijayanagar empire.

The stone inscriptions of Vijayanagar rulers are found Tirukkoyilur, Thiruvannamalai and Thiruverangam. It is considered that Jambai should have been part of the Vijayanagar kingdom. Hence Jambai is the last days of the Vijayanagar ruler and Gingee Nayaka major part of Tamil country. Jambai remained under the British rule on 15th August 1947C.E. After the independence the Villupuram district was part of south Arcot till 1993 and after that this South Arcot was divided into two districts such a Cuddalore, and Villupuram. But on the basis of village Panchayat Act of Tamil Nadu 1950 declared that Jambai remained a village in Thirukovilur Taluk of Villupuram district till 1979 A.D. The village Panchayat at Villupuram was started according to the act Jambai is now under the administration of town Panchayat in Tirukovilur Taluk Villupuram district. Jambai is historically an important place from its inception to the present day. This is supported still more by the inscriptional and other evidences, found in the Jambunatha temple of Jambai.

Places of Interest
Jambai Malai:
For brief details, please refer;
Jambunatheshwarar Temple:
For brief details, please refer;
Kasi Visvanathar Temple:
Another notable Shiva Temple located near Jambai.




Connectivity 
This place is in the border of the Villupuram district and Thiruvannamalai district. It is located 54 km towards west from District head quarters Villupuram, 32 km from Mugaiyur, 41.5 km from Thiruvennainallur, 19.7 km from Thirukovilur, 26 km from Thiruvannamalai, 94 km from Pondicherry and 202 km from State capital Chennai.  
Nearest Railway station: 15 km from Andampaliam railway station; 16 km from Tandarai railway station;  20 km from Thirukovilur railway station; 27 km from Thiruvannamalai railway station.
Nearest Airport: Chennai.