Chennai: Six stone inscriptions including three damaged were found at the nondescript Rayandapuram in Tiruvannamalai district. These inscriptions were said to date back to the Chola period.
The inscriptions found on the way to Rayandapuram on the banks of Thenpannaiyaru River at the ancient Siva temple, depict the gifts given to the temple to sustain its puja, especially in keeping the lamps burning.
The group of experts including T. M. Prakash, S. Balamurugan, Sridharan, Madan Mohan and Sudhakar discovered the stone inscriptions on a rock. Of the six that were found only three were said to be in good condition and the inscription on them portrayed the number of goats gifted to the temple of Lord Siva and Goddess Kananangai.
From the inscriptions it can be known that Rajagandapuram has become Rayandapuram. The Siva temple still contains the Sodasalingam with Pattai Avudaiyar and Chandikeshwar idols.
Though the old structure of the temple does not exist, this temple was known as Thirukurang kovil temple in the past.
