Vaishnava king renovated Shiva temple

THANJAVUR, FEB. 21. A Vaishnava king, Alagaperumal, renovated a Shiva temple at Vendayampatti near Valappakudy on Thanjavur-Tiruchi road according to Kudavayil Balasubramanian, a researcher.

The stone sculpture of the king with a big moustache, Thiruman (Thenkalai namam on forehead), Pavitra malas on the neck, Chakra and Conch Muthirathanam on the shoulders is seen worshipping Thanthondreeswarar, Lord Shiva, in the temple.

A press release yesterday from Koyirkalanjiyam, a historical research centre here, said that besides renovating the temple, the king thought it necessary to show himself in the sculpture form worshipping Lord Shiva.

The Thanthondreeswarar temple was in ruins in 1527 A.D. Alagaperumal renovated it and donated land for the temple at Semmankudi. This is learnt from the epigraphic evidence in the temple.

People of Vendayampatti are now renovating the temple to perform kumbabishekam. They have sought the help of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.