Sundareswarar, Thirukattalai

Sundareswarar, Thirukattalai was built by Adithya Chola I (871 – 907 CE). The separate shrine for goddess was built later during the Late Pandya Era. The mantapas and some other structures are said to have been constructed later during the eras of Kulothunga I (1070 – 1118 CE) and Kulothunga III (1178 – 1216 CE).

Inscriptions of both the Aditya Chola Period as well as the Nayak period can be found here.
In the older incriptions the temple name is mentioned as Karkurichi Thiru Katrali and the lord’s name as Karkurichi Katrali Perumanadigal. In the 15th Century CE inscriptions of Vijayanagar Kings it is mentioned as ‘Thirukattalai Easwaramudaya Nayanar’. It is thought that the name Karkurichi has evolved into Thirukattalai over time.
There are 12 Tamil inscriptions found here at Sundareswarar, Thirukattalai. Out of this 1 is damaged, 8 belong to the Cholas, 1 to the Pandyas and 2 to the Vijayanagar Kings

Chola Inscriptions
1. Adithya Chola I (871 – 907 CE) 3rd regnal year is found on the north wall. This has about 10 lines and is partly damaged and talks about the temple lands in different villages around.
2. Parantaka I, 2nd regnal year (circa 909 CE) is on the south wall. it is incomplete and has about 30 lines and the first mention of the temple’s name as Karkurichi Katrali is found in this one. Land and other donations to the temple are mentioned in this.
3. Parantaka I, 9th regnal year (circa 916 CE) is on the south wall and mentions lamp donations to three brothers (Singankotran, Kandankotran and another)
4. Parantaka I, 35th regnal year (circa 941-942 CE) is on the south wall and has 16 lines. The king is mentioned as Madurai Konda Kopparakesari. Land donations are also mentioned
5. Kulothunga I, 9th Regnal Year (circa 1078 – 1079 CE) is on the south wall with 18 lines mentions donations of 25 goats to keep the lamps burning.
6. Kulothunga I, 10th Regnal Year (circa 1079 – 1080 CE) is on the south wall with 6 lines, mentioning land donations to set up an oil mill at a place called Valatha Mangalam and the land limits.
7. Kulothunga III, 2nd Regnal Year (circa 1179 – 1180 CE) is on the east wall with about 7 lines mentions about some contracts.
8. Kulothunga I, 48th regnal year (circa 1118 CE) is on the north wall and has 44 lines mentions land donations and its lomit for the purpose of burning of the lamp.

Pandya Inscriptions
One damaged Inscription is found in the village of Thirukattalai that dates back to Kulasekhara Pandian (circa 1118 CE) during his 3rd Regnal year. It has 7 lines and mentions contributions to the temple.

Vijayanagar Insciptions
1. On the south wall of the temple with about 33 lines – It belongs to King Mallikarjunarayar (1462 CE), son of Veera Pradabha Devarayar, mentioning contributions to the maintenance and sustenace of the temple.
2. On the south wall of the temple with about 29 lines – It belongs to King Veera Pradabha Devaraya Maharayar, the son of Mallikarjunarayar mentioning land donations and related mentions for sustenance of the temple