Kailasamudayar Temple potteries to figure in millennium celebrations



NAGAPATTINAM: Three potteries housed at the Kailasamudayar Temple here at Sembiyan Mahadevi in Nagapattinam district would find space during the millennium year celebrations of the Big Temple in Thanjavur. Of the three pots, two of Chinese finesse (with a height of 32 inches, 90.5 inches diameter; and height of 24 inches and 67.5 inches respectively) varies from the top-shaped Indian pot (height of 36 inches and 97.5 inches diameter). The pots are believed to have been used to store Illupu Ennai (oil extract from a tree) for the lamps of the temple. The temple at Sembiyan Mahadevi and the pots have an indirect significance to the ongoing millennium celebrations of the Big Temple. Sembiyan Mahadevi, wife of Kandar Adhithya Cholan was the grand aunt of Raja Raja Cholan. On the death of Kandar Adhitya Cholan, his brother Arunjaya Cholan assumed throne and was later succeeded by Arunjaya's son Sundara Cholan, followed by Uthama Cholan (son of Kandar Adhithaya Cholan and Sembiyan Mahadevi) and then came Raja Raja Cholan. After the death Kandar Adhithya Cholan, Sembiyan Mahadevi is said to have assumed the task of commissioning new temples. According to the book on inscriptions of Nagapattinam, published by the State Archaeology Department, the village of Sembiyan Mahadevi was commissioned as a Chaturvedimanagalam, and was called the Sembiyan Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam. Chaturvedimanagalams, were Brahman colonies established around temples by rulers and endowments were benefacted for their upkeep.