The Epigraphy Division of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently deciphered two inscriptions from the Arulmigu Somanathar Mandir in Alathudaiyanpatti, near Thuraiyur in Tiruchi district. These inscriptions date back to the Chola period.
B Charumathi, Assistant Epigraphist at the ASI, who had copied the two inscriptions from the walls of the Arulmigu Somanathar Mandir onto maplitho paper in September, said that the inscriptions, written in Tamil, were recently deciphered by experts. The inscriptions, dating back to the 13th century, include one that details an order to Thirugnanasammandha Pandidhar, instructing him to carry out thirupani (Mandir service) for a specific period. This inscription is from the reign of Chola King Rajaraja III.
Another inscription records an order from the Nattars of Valluvappadi (Nattolai) to Devarkanmi, the accountant of the Azhagiya Someswaramudiya Nayanar Mandir at Periyanavalur. The inscription grants dry and wet lands, leased at a rate of 30,000 kasu per year, to provide services to the God and Goddess of the Mandir.
Director (Epigraphy) at ASI Mysore, K Munirathnam Reddy, urged the public to inform the Archaeology Department if they come across any inscriptions or hero stones. He also announced that three teams of epigraphists and experts would soon begin copying inscriptions from Mandirs across various districts of Tamil Nadu.
