Research foundation team finds Pandyan-era inscriptions in Manjur

A team of the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation found five stone inscriptions at the temple, which was in a ruined state, located at Manjur, earlier known as ‘Manjil alias Manamanickanallur’ near Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram district, on Monday.

The inscriptions proclaimed that donors, who were officials in the days of yore, offered tax free lands, gold, gold coins and paddy as gifts for lighting perpetual lamp at the temple.

V Rajaguru president of the Archaeological Research Foundation said that the team found the inscriptions while conducting field exploration in Manjur.

While two inscriptions belonged to the period of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I, other two belonged to the period of Jadavarman Srivallaba and Maravarman Vikrama Pandyan. One inscription detailed a government order (Konorinmai Kondan). The temple with sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and maha mandapam, could have been built during the Chola period during 10th-11th century, he said.

The inscriptions said Ponnambalak Koothanana Avani Narayana Vizhuparaiyan offered a gold coin for the purpose of lighting the perpetual lamp during the first regnal year of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan in 1268 AD. Besides, Solai Arasu Thillai Nayagan during 1283 AD donated tax-free land at Kattikudi, just one km from Manjur. During 1296 AD of Maravarman Vikrama Pandyan’s 14th regnal year, Pattalagan Suntharatholanana Kalapalarayan, donated tax-free land, he said referring to those inscriptions.