Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Kailasanathar Temple, Brahmmadesam – History

Kailasanathar Temple, Brahmmadesam – History
The Tamirabarani - Ghadananadi river region was established as a Chola colony after the Chola conquest of Pandyan country in the 10th century A.D. Jatavaraman alias Sundara Chola Pandya (1017-18 A.D), the Chola-Pandya king aka Chola Viceroy (feudatory of the Rajendra Chola I) formed new townships and converted the  forest lands for cultivation. The inscriptions at the Vedanarayana temple at Mannarkoil village informs us that the big Brahmadeyam village of 'Rajaraja Chadurvedi Mangalam' in Mullinadu in the 'Mudikonda Chola Valanadu' of Raja Raja Pandinadu was made over to Brahmins as gifts. 
The hamlets of 'Ilangokudi' (today's Ambasamudram), Kallidaikurichi, Aththala Nallur, Vazuthiyoor, Alwarkurichi and Pappankurichi were parts of this big Brahmadayam village (now Brahmadesam). The original deity in this temple Badhari Vaneswara was worshipped by Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma, and so the village was named Brahmmadesam. Till about 1850 or so, this village was the Taluk Headquarters. In the Ghatana Nadhi Mahatmiyam, it is mentioned that the Swayambu Lingams of Sivasailam, Thiruvaleeswararm and Kailasanathar emerged in the same time and those who take bath in the River Ghatana and worship the above lingams get freed from the sins. 
The present temple and the Brahmmadesam village were gifted to the Brahmins by the Rajaraja Chola I for chanting four Vedas. The monarch built the original temple including the sanctum, ardha mandapa, mukha-mandapa during 10th century A.D. The king is also supposed to have gifted several acres of land around the temple, for the temple to remain self-sustained. The temple structure is a combination of various royal dynasties. The main shrine was constructed by the Chola kings; the beautiful Mandapams were built by the Pandya kings; the attractive wooden decors on the roof were the works of the Chera kings.
The gigantic temple towers at the front side and back side were constructed by the Nayaka king Viswanatha Nayaka. The huge compound walls were also built by him. Even the Hoysala kings made some additions to the temple. In the sixth Thirumurai, this temple is mentioned as Ayneeswaram in the 8th Verse of 71st Chapter. This temple is the first of Navakailasha temples (according to Currala Mahatmiyam) in this district.