Pesum Perumal, Koozhamandal

Vaishnavite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Pesum Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Sreedevi and Bhoodevi along with main deity

Other Deities

Garuda, Anjaneya, Vinayaka, Azhwars

Pesum Perumal Koozhamandal is an ancient temple which was in ruins. It has been taken up and renovated in recent times. A 5 tiered Rajagopuram welcomes you as you enter from the eastern side. The temple has a single Prakaram which houses all the shrines and the Sanctum Sanctorum. The main deity is 6 feet tall with his consorts on either side. The processional deity of the Goddess is Perundevi Thaayar. The Mantapa in front has carvings of the Azhwars and Acharays.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No infromation

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Pesum Perumal Koozhamandal is an ancient temple going back to the Chola Era. About 17 inscriptions have been found here and 14 of them have been translated. 3 were damaged and have not been comprehended. These belong to Kampavarman, Parakesarivarman, Rajakesarivarman, Parantaka I, Aditya II, Rajaraja I, Rajendra-Chola I and the Rashtrakuta King Krishna III. The one belonging to Chola King Rajakesarivarman mentions the deposit of 200 measures of Gold by one Brahmadiraja towards the well-being and feeding of 12 Brahmins and their support staff whose duties include rendering the Vedas for the Lord of Puvanimanikka-Vishnugriham as this was temple was referred then. Another inscription of the same King mentions the donation of land to the assembly of the village, the produce from which will sustain the rice preparations to be offered to the Lord regularly. Another inscription mentions about the grand of land for creating a flower garden for the temple. An isncription mentions the founding of a Well by one Kannan Aruran and assigning Paddy to the men in charge of distribution the water.

An inscription of Kampavarman records that a person Sadaiyan made over 1,000 kadi of paddy to the villagers who pledged themselves to supply in return 500 kadi of paddy per year for some unspecified purpose. Another inscription of the same king’s reignal period mentions the same person’s contribution of a large volume of Paddy, the interest of which will be paid in Paddy to the feeding of two Brahmins.

An inscription of Rajaraja referring to his conquests as far as Kalinga mentions the supply of rice and oil to the temple. Another inscription contains an order which Rajaraja I issued at his capital Thanjavur on the 124th day of the 24th year of his reign, and which was engrossed on the 143rd day of the same year. This order deals with defaulters of land revenue in villages held by Brahmanas, Vaikhanasas and Jainas in the Chola, Tondai and Pandya country authorizing the villagers to confiscate and sell the land on which no taxes had been paid for two full years.

An inscription dated in the 4th year of the reign of Parakesarivarman, alias Rajendra-Choladeva, records that the villagers of Ukkal sold 3000 kuli of land and five water-levers to a servant of the king, who assigned this land for the maintenance of two boats plying on the village tank. An inscription dated in his 16th Year of reign records that the villagers granted land to the temple, at the request and with the approval of the temple manager, Chakrapani Nambi. Another one mentions the donation of a village called Sodiyambakkam to the god of the Vishnu temple at Ukkal.

An unfinished inscription belonging to the 17th year of the reign of the Rajakesarivarman sets out to record some decision of the village assembly.

An inscription during the regin of Krishna III, of the Rashtrakuta dynasty (940 and 956 CE) mentions in fragments sale of land, payment of taxes and fines for non compliance.

Legend

Pesum Perumal Koozhamandal is believed to have pointed out the sacrilegious acts of a priest who used poison to kill female infants and also used such milk provided for their last rites to the ablution of the Lord. The anger of the lord is believed to have been such that he destroyed the priest and the village. The villagers who came to know about this made amends and built the temple and pacified the Lord. Since he spoke out about the wrongdoings of the Brahmin he is called Pesum Perumal (the lord who talks).

Directions

Pesum Perumal Koozhamandal is about 21 kilometers north of Vandavasi and 17 kilometers south of Kancheepuram in the road connecting the two towns. The temple is about 200 meters west off the main road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Kancheepuram or Vandavasi depending on your travel plan.

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