Kothanda Rameswara Temple,
Bokkasampalem – History
This temple was built in early 10th century CE by Chola King Parantaka
Chola I in memory of his father, Aditya Chola I. There is an inscription dating
to the 34th regnal year of Parantaka I (941 CE) on the north base of
the central shrine of this temple. This inscription records the temple as
Kothanda Rameswaram / Adityeswara Azhwar Temple and informs that the temple was
Pallipadai (memorial sepulchral) Temple erected in honour of Chola King Aditya I
(Kodandarama). This inscription further records the endowment made for
conducting the rituals, festivals and feeding the devotees.
Aditya
Chola I (870 – 907 CE), the son of Vijayalaya Chola, was the Chola king
who extended the Chola dominions by the conquest of the Pallavas and occupied
the Western Ganga Kingdom. He was also called as Kodanda Raman. During the
Pandyan invasion of Pallava Kingdom, the Chola King Aditya Chola I and the
Ganga King Prithvipathi I sided with the Pallava King Nripatunga. The combined
forces of Pallavas and the army of Pandyan King Varaguna Pandya were routed by
Aparajita Pallava and Aditya I Chola at Thirupurambiyam battle.
Although
the victor of the Thirupurambiyam battle was Aparajita, the real gains went to
Aditya I Chola. This battle ensured the end of Pandya power in the south.
Pandya Varagunavarman renounced his throne and followed
an ascetic life. Pallava King Aparajita allowed Aditya I Chola to
control the new territories gained in the war. Later, Aditya Chola killed the
Pallava King Aparajita in a battle in 903 CE and annexed the Pallava Kingdom
(Thondai Mandalam) to his dominion.
The
conquest of the Tondaimandalam earned the epithet Thondainadu Pavina
Rajakesarivarman for Aditya Chola I. Aditya
Chola I also conquered the Kongu region. Aditya Chola I is claimed to have
built a number of temples for Lord Shiva along the banks of the Cauvery. He
died in 907 CE at Thandaimanarrur. His son Parantaka Chola I built this temple over his ashes. Tondaimanad was formerly called Thondaiman Arrur in
Arrur Nadu, a division of Tiruvengala Kottam in Thondainadu.
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