Pidari Ekaveeri: a fierce Goddess, a captivating smile, and Raja Raja’s mother-in-law’s grant
Archaeological findings at the Sadaimudinathar Temple reveal an ancient endowment for the worship of the deity Pidari Ekaveeri, established by the mother-in-law of the Chola emperor Raja Raja I. The inscriptions detail the specific gold coin donations and rituals performed, illustrating the historical continuity of the cult.
Why it matters
These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the religious, social, and economic structures of the Chola dynasty.
Within the precincts of the ancient Sadaimudinathar Temple at Tiruvalanchuzhi, near Kumbakonam, stands a remarkable image of Pidari Ekaveeri, a deity whose significance is illuminated by the temple’s inscriptions. The temple, celebrated in the hymns of the Shaivite saints and renowned as an architectural marvel of the Chola period, is also home to inscriptions that reveal an equally fascinating chapter in its religious history.
The article is a historical report based on archaeological findings.
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