While studying various materials for my Ramayana series, i find many intresting info from the inscriptions. Many of them were copied/recorded by the british. Dont know hou much is surviving today.
1. There are 4 Valisvarams around chennai ( found so far. may be more as the legend is vali worshiped 108 lingams daily. ) All are Pre RRC - with clear name of valisvara mentioned in epigraphs
2. There is a Kumbakarneswara ( yes u heard it right - Kumba Karna eswara) of Pllava period
3. Rama's birth day was celebrated on the Punarvasu star in chithirai
4. One person arranged for the marriage of Sita with Rama and gave 50 kuli land as sreedhanam to sita in Rjc period
5. There is a temple called Ramankoil existing from RRC period.
6. Ayothipperuman - 3 temples of Parantaka to RRC period around chennai
There are so many. even if i cover one place per week also, it will take. years to complete whole of TN.
Had it not been for the British, we would have lost many
Last Sunday I visited Madhurantakam 'Eri Katha Ramar' alias 'Kothanda Ramar' temple. The moolavar have lost all its features and surely can be dated back to more than 1000 years. Thala puranam says Ramar visited this place on his way and back from Lanka.
One unique thing which the battachary told is that, Rama is holding the hand of Sita in kalyana kolam and this is found only in this temple. It was a wonderful sight to see Rama holding Sita's hand.
Also, Sri Ramanujar got his pancha sanskaram done here by his guru. Its the only temple where Ramanujar is seen in grihasta posture and not a saint posture.
Was thinking about your Ramayana before kambar series when I had the dharshan of Rama here :)