Soundararajaperumal Temple, Nagapattinam – History
The
temple had contributions from Pallavas, Nagars and Cholas during the 8th to 10th centuries.
During the later centuries, Thanjavur
Nayaks and subsequently
the Thanjavur Marathas are believed to have made significant
contributions to the temple. During the rule of the Nayaks, Nagapattinam was a
busy port and it was more of a Dutch territory. On the request of the Dutch for a light
house, the Nayak king is believed to have built the seven tiered temple tower
and utilized it as the light house.
Jagul
Nayakar, the lieutenant of a Nayak king during the 1650s, was a staunch
worshiper of Soundararaja Perumal. He is believed to have built the temple
tower, halls and the compound wall around the temple. The image of him and his
wife Lakshmi Ammal are installed in one of the halls built by them. Kundo
Pandithar, an officer of the Nayak kingdom during 1737, is believed to have
constructed the Ashtana Mandapam and the Pachai Varnar, Pavala Vannar, Veetrirundha
Perumal, Kidantha Kola Perumal and Vishwaksenar shrines.
During
the early 20th century, Dratcha Balagurumuthi Chettiyar built the Bhakthiula
hall, Chinnaya Chettiyar rebuilt the Vasantha hall, Nachiyappa Pillai rebuilt
the Mataipalli, Ramasami Pillai renovated the image of the presiding shrine and
the citizens of the town contributed to various other renovations. There are
inscriptions from various ruling empires on the contributions made to the
maintenance of the temple.
