________________
34
THE JAINA GAZETTE King Vandya deva it seems very probable that it was one of these two queens oiz., either the younger sister or the aunt of of the then reigning Sovereign Rajendra Chola, who founded the temple on the top of the Tirumalai Rock and called it after herself. As Tirumalai is much closer to the Pallava country, than to the country of the Eastern Chalukyas, we shall scarcely be wrong in attributing the foundation of the temple rather to the king's aunt, who was a Pallava Queen, than to his younger sister, who was married to an Eastern Chalukya king.
According to this and the next inscription, the village at the foot of the Tirumalai Hill bore the name of Vaigavur and belonged to Mugai-nadų a division of Pangala-nadu whịch formed part of Jayankonda Chola Mandalam.
With the text of the sub-joined inscription I have compared four other inscriptions of Rajendra Chola viz., 1. the inscription No. 68, which is likewise dated in the 12th year; 2. an updated inscription of the Kailasanatha temple at Uttaramallur in the Chingleput District, an impression of which I owe to the kindness of Mr. R. Sewell; 3. ap inscription of the Brihadisvara temple at Tanjore (15th year) and 4. an inscription of the Chidambaram temple (24th year).
Translation of the Inscription. Hail! Prosperity! in the 12th year of (the reign of) KoParakesarivarman, alias Udaiyar Sri Rajendra Chola deva who-during his long life (which resembled) that of pure people, (and in which) the great goddess of the earth, the goddess of Victory in battle, and the beautiful and matchless goddess of fortune who had become his great queens gave him pleasure while (his own) illustrious queen was prospering-- conquered with (his, great and war-like army Idaiturai-nadu; Vanavasi, the Roads (to which are bounded by) continuous walls of trees; Kollippakkai whose walls are surrounded by Sulli (trees); Manna ikkadakkam of unapproachable strength ; the Crown of the King of Iram (which is situated in the midst
of) the Rough Sea; the exceedingly beautiful Crown of the Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
