800-Year-Old Pandya-Era Shiva Temple Discovered in Tamil Nadu
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Discovery | 800-year-old Shiva temple foundation unearthed in Udampatti village, Melur taluk, Tamil Nadu. |
| Historical Period | Later Pandya era (13th century CE). |
| Inscription Date | 1217-1218 CE during the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandya. |
| Temple Name | Thennavanisvaram, linked to Pandya royal titles. |
| Ancient Village Name | Attur (modern-day Udampatti). |
| Key Findings | - Stone base of the temple remains.<br>- Tamil inscriptions detail land sale for temple upkeep.<br>- Financial independence of temples under Pandya rule. |
| Inscription Details | - Sale of waterbody (Nagankudi) and land for 64 kasu (coins).<br>- Seller: Alagaperumal (chieftain of Kalavalinadu).<br>- Buyer: Nambi Perambala Kuthan alias Kangeyan.<br>- Funds used for temple deity's daily expenses. |
| Archaeological Team | - Prof. P. Devi Arivu Selvam (Temple Architect).<br>- C. Santhalingam (Archaeologist, Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research).<br>- Local authorities and villagers. |
| Significance | - Reveals temple administration, land transactions, and taxation in the Pandya era.<br>- Confirms royal patronage and endowment systems.<br>- Adds to linguistic and historical data of the region. |
| Earlier Documentation | Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (1974-75) noted ancient temples in the area, most now ruined or vanished. |