Kalvettu - Kailasanathar Kovil - Kanchipuram
This is the four faces of one pillar found in Kailasanathar Kovil, Kanchipuram. Noting that these are not defaced too much, shot these instantly and returned home.
After several hours of effort invested in deciphering each of the characters (hyphens are present due to unclear inscriptions or lack of knowledge), as well as making sure that these images are processed in such a way that the letters are clearly seen to everyone, I have come up with the transcript in modern Tamil.
The message reads like this:
1. Earlier Kulothunga Chola had closed this temple earlier (temple is believed to be built before 11-12 centuries (probably around 8th century when Pallavas were dominating), which is deemed to be inappropriate and unruly (as mentioned in lines 20-30).
2. Therefore people under the leadership of a Nayanaar named “Rajasimha Panam Swaramudaiyaar” have come together on 1st day of Aadi month of Tamil Year 1286 (English Year CE 1317, 14th century) to reopen the temple and start the prayers once again (lines 2-20 and 31-39).
3. The boundaries of the temple on all sides (east, west, north and south) are clearly demarcated (lines 39-62).
However, the reasons for closure is not given in this pillar inscription – probably it could be in some other stone inscription or those who have reopened this temple could have destroyed it for security concerns).
Kalvettu - Kailasanathar Kovil - Kanchipuram
This is the four faces of one pillar found in Kailasanathar Kovil, Kanchipuram. Noting that these are not defaced too much, shot these instantly and returned home.
After several hours of effort invested in deciphering each of the characters (hyphens are present due to unclear inscriptions or lack of knowledge), as well as making sure that these images are processed in such a way that the letters are clearly seen to everyone, I have come up with the transcript in modern Tamil.
The message reads like this:
1. Earlier Kulothunga Chola had closed this temple earlier (temple is believed to be built before 11-12 centuries (probably around 8th century when Pallavas were dominating), which is deemed to be inappropriate and unruly (as mentioned in lines 20-30).
2. Therefore people under the leadership of a Nayanaar named “Rajasimha Panam Swaramudaiyaar” have come together on 1st day of Aadi month of Tamil Year 1286 (English Year CE 1317, 14th century) to reopen the temple and start the prayers once again (lines 2-20 and 31-39).
3. The boundaries of the temple on all sides (east, west, north and south) are clearly demarcated (lines 39-62).
However, the reasons for closure is not given in this pillar inscription – probably it could be in some other stone inscription or those who have reopened this temple could have destroyed it for security concerns).