at THIRU-SUGANOOR ( @ Thiruchanoor) comprised in Kudavur Nattur Devathanam (Tax free, Perumbaana padi Thiruvengada Kottam of JEYAMKONDA CHOLA MANDALAM,
Udayar Shree Rajendra (I ) -
enquired the officials whether everthing is functioning in order and to tell the Truth ( DEVAKANMIGAL ! THIRUVENGADA THEVAR NIMITHAPADI ULLANA SOLLUNGAL !).. the replied through official Kotramangalamudayan that there were certain deficiencies and accordingly he GRANTED additional 23 KAZHANJU GOLD ITHTHEVAR PANDARATHUKKU MUDLAKKI ( DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURRY OF THIRUVENGADA THEVAR AS PRINCIPLE AMOUNT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT ) and from the Interest amount meet the expenditure towards LIFTING CHARGES TO THIRUMALA HILLS ( THIRUMALAIKKU YETRI ) THIRU NANDAVILAKKAUM ( Perpetual LIGHTING OF SACRED LAMPS) KARPOORA VILAKKU ONDRUM utpada ( including Campher lighting !) Thiruvilakkau THIRUVENGADA THEVARKKU SREE KARYAM SEYVAARUM ( to those performing Sacred Services in the temple) and DEVAKANMIGALUM ( to Priests ) anustathvarai erippadhaga nivandham seydhadhu.. =======
" WHEN EMPEROR RAJENDRA I - while visiting his Guest Palace located at the Foot Hill of Tirumala at Thirusuganoor @ Thiruchanur - enquired the Lord Thiruvengada temple officials & Priests whether everything was in order - please tell Truth - they replied through Official (incharge) Kotramangalamudayar that though there are certain grants they are not sufficient, Rajendra deposited 23 Kazhanju in the Treasury of Thiruvengada Thevar and ordered the expenditure to maintain the Lamps including the charges for carrying them from Down Hills to Tirumala - and FIXED THE REPONSIBILITY OF MAINTENANCE OF THESE LAMPS / LIGHTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SACRED DUE PROCESS AS ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE PREIESTS / TEMPLE FUNCTIONARIES WHO PERFORM SUCH SACRED ACTS !! "
While putting this inscription into analysis (through MIND ), the first thing that comes to my mind is ::
1). RAJENDRA - I 's 7th Year is about 1019 - 20 .. JUST PRIOR TO HIS GANGES EXPEDITION !!
Means Rajendra prayed and took the blessings of the Lord Venkateswara before such a Great Expedition .. !
2). He has taken the guidelines of the traditions to be followed and left these sacred practices with the Temple functionaries and temple religeous priests themselves - Without interfering with the tradition in any manner.
This we have been seeing from Thanjai inscriptions as well. Recalling from THALICHERY inscriptions ::
Out of about 400 Dancing women comprising of about say about 100 groups - Each Group of Main Dancing Woman and her team of Dancers and their supporting artists - like music (vocal), instruments (string / air), rhythm, lighting staff - in cases of LEAVE VACANCIES or REFILLING POSITIONs caused by some one's departure or death, SELCTION OF ALTERNATIVE PERSON on MERITS (BASED ON TALENT), WAS ENTRUSTED WITH THE TEAM -LEADER herself and Administration ( Either Government of Cholas or that of Rajarajeeswaram Temple ) did not interfere in any manner whatsoever - except in supporting these by obtaining Royal Grants !!
In a specific case, when an ORDER was passed to support a lower-graded Artist - it was found at the time of Execution (or INSCRIBING !!) - THAT THE ARTIST WAS DECEASED - and the BENEIFTS WERE ALLOWED TO THE ARTISTS SURVING BENEFICIARY !!
So we understand,
(i) Traditions or Practices prevailed were left to continue uniterfeared.
(ii) Each Department of Specialised interests were governed by those who were well-versed with these !
3) Also the Cholas had a permanent establishment - equipped enough to accommodate Royal visits in Thiruchanur @ Thiruchuganoor - infering the frequency and importance they accorded to the Lord of Tirumala Hills !!