AMAZING: The 17th century inscription found in Meenakshi Sundrareswarar Temple at Madurai.
TIRUCHI: Two rare inscriptions have been discovered at the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple by a research scholar of the Dr.M.Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, Tiruchi.
The inscriptions, one dating back to 17th century and the other belonging to 19th century, were discovered at the `vilakku thoranangal' (decorative arch of lamps) by M.Nalini, research scholar and Reader in History, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Tiruchi.
"Though inscriptions about installation of lamps in temples are common, it is rare to find inscriptions on the structures themselves," R.Kalaikkovan, Director, Dr.M.Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, said in a press release.
One of the inscriptions, dated September 13, 1819 AD, was found on the two supporting pillars of the arched `vilakku thoranam' in front of the entrance of the Pechiamman Mandapam in the temple. The first portion of the inscription discovered on the base of the south pillar records that Syed Ismail, the then tahsildhar of Madurai had installed the `thoranam' under the orders of Rose Peter, Collector of Madurai.
It was installed at a cost of Rs.1,500 borne by the Government. The number of lamps fixed on the structure was 616 and they were to be lighted daily, the inscription says. The second portion of the inscription gives the names of the craftsmen who made the structure.
Another inscription was discovered on the right pillar of a smaller `vilakku thoranam' at Kambattadi Mandapam. It dates back to 1654 AD and records that Kuppaiyandi Chettiar had gifted the `Bhuvaneswara Vilakku,' for the sake of Thirumalai Nayakar.
The inscription mentions the name of the executive officer of the temple of the period as Ananda Virappa Chettiar.
The study was conducted with the support and help of temple's Joint Commissioner K. Rajanayagam and the temple staff Vijaya Raghunathan and Rajesh, Dr.Kalaikkovan said.