800-Year-Old Shiva Temple Unearthed in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai District, Dates Back to the Later Pandya Dynasty

An 800-year-old Shiva temple believed to date back to the Pandya period has been discovered in Udampatti village, Madurai district, following an accidental find in the area. This archaeological discovery came to light when a child playing in open ground in Malampatti panchayat of Udampatti encountered a broken stone structure covered in mud. Villagers subsequently informed the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and Ms. Devi, leading to the commencement of systematic excavation work with proper permissions.

The excavation unearthed a temple with a stone base that remains intact on both northern and southern sides. According to documents published by the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology in 1974-75, this belt previously contained numerous ancient temples, most of which are now in ruins or have completely disappeared.

Based on stone engravings and Silpa Sastram or Shilpa Shashtram references reported by The Hindu, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architectural evidence suggests significant historical importance for understanding temple construction techniques of the Pandyan era.

C. Santhalingam, Archaeologist and Secretary of the Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research, deciphered two Tamil inscriptions found on the stone base. His analysis dates the temple to 1217-1218 CE, during the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandya. The inscriptions reveal that the village was formerly known as Attur, while the temple was called Thennavanisvaram. Ms. Devi noted to The Hindu that “Thennavan” was a title used by the Pandyas, adding historical context to the temple’s nomenclature.

The site inscriptions document the boundaries of land and a water body that were sold by Alagaperumal, chieftain of Kalavalinadu, to Nambi Perambala Kuthan (nicknamed Kangeyan). The transaction involved both wet and dry land sold for 64 coins. Significantly, the inscriptions mention tax obligations on the land designated for the God of Thennavaniswaram of Attur to maintain the temple’s daily operational expenses, providing valuable insights into ancient temple economics.

This discovery represents a significant archaeological finding for historians and researchers studying the socio-economic dynamics of the later Pandyan period. The revelation that present-day Udampatti was formerly known as Attur adds another layer of historical understanding to the region’s past.

P. Devi Arivu Selvam, temple architect and Sculpture Researcher, emphasized that despite the majority of the temple architecture being ruined with only the foundation remaining, the inscriptions on the channel are particularly significant. They reveal how the temple maintained financial independence through dedicated land revenue systems.

The discovery also aligns with historical records of temple construction during the Pandyan dynasty, which is known for its patronage of art, architecture, and religious institutions. The excavation continues under archaeological supervision, with hopes of uncovering additional artifacts and inscriptions that may further illuminate the religious and cultural practices of 13th-century Tamil Nadu. This discovery underscores the rich archaeological heritage of Tamil Nadu and the importance of systematic excavation in preserving India’s ancient cultural legacy.