800-year-old Shiva temple of later Pandya period discovered in in Udampatti

An 800-year-old Shiva temple from the later Pandya period has been discovered in Udampatti, a village in Melur taluk, Tamil Nadu. Although only the foundation remains, two Tamil inscriptions on a culvert provide significant insights into the temple’s financial independence and historical context.

Using the Silpa Sastram and engraved details on the foundation stone, archaeologist C. Santhalingam, secretary of the Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research, confirmed the temple’s dedication to Lord Shiva. The inscriptions date back to 1217–1218 CE, during the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandya.

Key Findings from the Inscriptions:

• The ancient name of Udampatti was Attur.
• The temple was called Thennavanisvaram—”Thennavan” being a royal title used by the Pandyas.
• The inscriptions record a sale deed involving a waterbody named Nagankudi, sold along with surrounding lands for 64 kasu (coins).
• The seller was Alagaperumal, a chieftain of Kalavalinadu, and the buyer was Nambi Perambala Kuthan alias Kangeyan.

(Source: TH)