In News:

An 800-year-old Shiva temple of the later Pandya period has been unearthed at Udampatti, a village in Melur taluk, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu.

Key Highlights:

• Discovery: Foundation of a later Pandya period Shiva temple (dated to 1217–1218 CE) unearthed accidentally by children.

Architectural Insights:

• Only the stone base of the temple (north and south sides) survives.
• Identified as a Shaivite temple using foundation engravings and reference to Silpa Sastram.

Inscriptions & Historical Significance:

• Inscriptions deciphered by C. Santhalingam (Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research).
• Temple identified as Thennavanisvaram, located in ancient Attur (present-day Udampatti).
• “Thennavan” was a Pandya royal title, suggesting direct patronage.

Key Inscriptions (1217–18 CE):

• A sale deed records the transfer of a waterbody named Nagankudi along with wet/dry land.
• Seller: Alagaperumal, chieftain of Kalavalinadu
• Buyer: Nambi Perambala Kuthan alias Kangeyan
• Sale amount: 64 kasu (coins)
• Tax revenue from the land assigned to the temple for daily expenses, indicating its financial independence.

Archaeological Relevance:

• Confirms ancient village name (Attur), showcasing socio-economic practices during the Later Pandya period.
• Highlights temple economy, land-water rights, and administrative structures.

Pandya Dynasty

• One of the Three Crowned Tamil Dynasties (alongside Cholas and Cheras).
• Capital: Initially Korkai, later Madurai.
• Early Pandyas active since 4th century BCE; Later Pandyas (1216–1345 CE) saw a golden age under Maravarman Sundara Pandyan.
• Controlled parts of Sri Lanka, Telugu regions, and had trade links with Rome & Southeast Asia.
• Symbol: Fish

Cultural Contributions:

• Patronage of Sangam literature, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism.
• Temples: Meenakshi Temple (Madurai), Nellaiappar Temple (Tirunelveli).
• Promoted Tamil arts, Bharatanatyam, and education.

Decline:

• Succumbed to Chola, Hoysala conflicts and Delhi Sultanate invasions.
• Madurai Sultanate (1335) and later Madurai Nayak dynasty (1529) succeeded their rule.