JAYANKONDAM: The Shiva temple at Sri Puranthan village is about 1,030 years old and the structure, which belongs to the Uttama Chola period, seems to have been rebuilt during the period of Kulothunga Chola-III in 1184 AD, according to historian L Thiyagarajan.
Retired principal of Ariyalur Government Arts College, Thiyagarajan has been carrying out research on temples in Ariyalur for the past three decades. Now, he is on the task of compiling the history of this temple at Sri Puranthan. He has undertaken extensive studies on stone inscriptions at the temple and a book about the temple is to be released during the Kumbabhisegam ceremony in November.
Speaking to Express, Thiyagarajan said, “Going by the stone inscriptions found near Govindaputhur village, the original name of the village was Periya Sri Vanavan Mahadevi Chathurvethi Mangalam, perhaps the name of the queen of Aditya Chola-I. Later, the village name was changed to Sri Paranthaga Chathurvethi Mangalam during the period of Rajaraja-I. This name used now is the shortened version, Sri Puranthan.” He also said, as per the inscription, the temple’s name is ‘Sri Kailashamudaiyar Koil’.
He said, “A major portion of the temple’s basement is filled with mud. If it is cleared there is scope for finding more stone inscriptions.”