An ancient inscription from a damaged temple, dated back to Chola period, has now been found in Panchapatti in Krishnarayapuram taluk.
According to Archaeology and Inscription Association member K. Balasubramanian, the Siva temple was built during the reign of King Rajendra Chola who is also known as Maduranthankan.
The northern side of the stone temple has suffered a heavy damage while a neem tree has grown amidst stone-wall on the southern side.
There were two Dwarabalakas on the eastern side of the temple. One was found in a standing posture while the other was found lying fallen on the ground.
According to the inscription found on a damaged stone block on the eastern side of the temple, the temple was built during the period of King Rajendra Chola, son of King Rajaraja Chola, and the village was then known as Panchanur while the temple was called Sri Maduranthaka Eswar temple, Mr Balasubramanian said.
As King Kandaraditha Chola’s son Maduranthaka was a little boy, Kandaraditha’s younger brother Arinjayan ascended the throne. Later, Arinjayan’s descendants Sundara Chola, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola ruled the kingdom.
Realising the fact that Kandaaritha Chola’s son Maduranthaka could not ascend to the throne, King Rajaraja Chola named his son Rajendra Chola as Maduranthaka. Rajedra Chola, in turn, built the temple in memory of Maduranthaka and named the temple as Sri Maduranthaka Eas-warar.
The people of Panchapatti were known to be cotton cultivators and sold cotton.
