Parasurameswara Temple, Attirala – History

Parasurameswara Temple, Attirala – History

This temple is believed to be built in early 10^th century CE by the Vaidumbas, the feudatory of the Cholas. The mandapas and the prakara walls were built in 13^th century CE. There are about nine inscriptions recorded in this temple. Inscription dating to Rajaraja Chola III (1216 – 1246 CE) records the gift of one madai for a lamp by a native of Nenpakkai to the temple of Tiruviramisvaradeva at Tiruvaratturai in Merpakkai Nadu, a subdivision of Adhirajendra Chola Mandalam.

Another inscription dated in 1272 CE records an agreement by the residents of Pottapi Nadu who had met in the mandapa called Chitrameli to raise one madai from each village in order to construct an embankment on the side of the river and to prevent any damage from floods to the temple of Parasuramesvaramudaiya Nayanar. An inscription dated in 1278 CE records the gift of twelve madai for a lamp to the shrine of Vairava Pillaiyar at Tiruvaratturai by a native of Pudoli (present poli near Attirala).

A damaged inscription dated in 1279 CE records the gift of land to the temple of Parasuramesvara of Araturevula for the merit of Ambadeva Maharaja ruling at Valluripattana. It also refers to a number of tanks, canals and villages founded and named after the king. The inscription also refers to the construction of a mandapa and a lamp post in the Parasuramesvara temple. Another inscription of 1280 CE records the gift of fifteen madai for lamps and garlands to the temple of Parasuramesvara Nayanar, by a native of Mandapalli.

An inscription dated in 1283 CE records the gift of two madai for providing a flower garland to the Parasuramesvaramudaiya Nayanar. Another inscription of 1290 CE records the gift of twelve madai for lamps by the wife of Ponunganti Vasireddi to the temple of Parasuramesvaramudaiya Nayanar at Tiruvaratturai in Pothapinadu, a sub-division of Merpakkainadu in Adhirajendra Mandalam.

An incomplete inscription dated in 1477 CE records the Annamarusayya came to Araturevula and enquired into the affairs of the Parasuramesvara and other temples, and after knowing that the income had been stopped in the interval, restored the temple lands at Proli for the merit of Vijayanagara King Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya.