Bhoothalingaswamy Temple, Boothapandi – Inscriptions
Kanyakumari
District Inscriptions volume 5 Chennai, Department of Archaeology Government of
Tamil Nadu, 1969 pp. 69 - 81 has published eleven inscriptions copied from this
temple as well as two inscriptions from North street of this village. The
first inscription located nearer to Jeeva library cites two streets in the name
of Udhaya Marthandan and Boothala Raman an asylum to someone under threat also
known as Abhaya Dhanam (Jainism) or Anjinan Pukalidam. Another inscription
dated 19th day Tamil month Thai 1691 A.D. was inscribed on behalf of Adi Chandeswara
endowment. The inscription is about Vadakku Saliyar, weaving community people
(Padmasali), who lived in this village during 17th century A.D. They migrated
to Vadaseri (near Nagercoil) after lot of suffering and they were colonized
back in Boothapandi village.
Inscription
dated Tamil month Masi, year 1789 cites the installation of flag-post in this
temple. Another inscription on the pillar of Nandi Mandapam records one
Thanumarthandan. Remaining nine inscriptions are inscribed on the walls of goddess
Sivakami (Amman) shrine. Inscription dated 1578 A.D. records the gift of 25
numbers of five wick oil lamps standing on their stems and pedestals,
fabricated in brass by one Ayyappan Pariyerum Perumal of Boothapandi village.
The lamps would be burnt before the prime deity. It also includes land
endowments for daily oil consumption. The gift was accepted by Sri Karyam
(temple) staff. Signed by Puttur Eswaran, Sri Karyam (temple) accountant,
Kannan Govindan, Treasury accountant and Bootha Nambiyar, Endowment accountant.
Inscription
dated 1581 A.D. records the assurance made by Sri Karyam staff to offer one
measure of ghee and ten bananas and arrange for the celestial dance of prime
deity during pooja rituals every month on the Apara (Pitru) Paksham, Ashtami (eighth) tithi
day. For this purpose, the staff accepted one hundred 'panam' as deposit from
one Kali-paappan of Perumanguli Desam in Mudala Nadu district, forming part of
Malai Mandalam province. Another inscription dated 1581 A.D. records the land
endowment for pooja rituals and offerings to the prime deity on
the Vasantham day, Tamil month Chithirai by one Eswaran
Kesavan of Makizhanjeru house in Kadaikkasu Desam. Inscription also cites
places like Azhagiya Pandiyapuram, Kadukkarai, Pallacha Peru and Veeraneri
Kulam.
Inscription
dated 1583 A.D. records the deposit of two hundred 'panam' made for pooja
rituals of Lord Dakshina Murti by Pasumpirathu Gangaiyadi Bhattar of Azhagan
Azhaga Chaturvedimangalam of Padmanabhanallur. Yet another inscription dated
1607 A.D. records the deposit of three hundred 'panam' for purposes of early
morning rituals, ablution and offerings to the prime deity in the name of one
Sooranai Vendra Adittan of Padmanabha Nallur aka Murungur of Nanjil Nadu. Incomplete
inscription dated 1614 A.D. records the deposit of seven hundred 'panam' for
purposes of pooja rituals and offerings for procession deity Lord Chandrasekharar
during new-moon day procession by one Velayudha Perumal of Mulainallur
in Nanjil Nadu. Mentions the temple staff and their specific duties during
procession as well as minor deities.
Another
inscription dated 1618 A.D. records the deposit / gift of nine hundred 'panam'
for purposes of procession of prime deity and goddess on 'Bharani' star day in
Tamil month 'Chithirai' by Settu Silaiyan Ariyakutti, a resident of
Tiruvidangur Ravi-varmar (aka. Kulasekara Perumal) street. Specific expenses
include feeding the brahmins, Maheswara pooja rituals, rice flakes,
Nambimar Adangal, Sala Sambavinai, Namimar Tantra Salavu, evening ablution,
camphor etc. Inscription dated 1658 A.D. records the royal order issued by
Elder Thambiran Eraivai Ravivarma, during his stay in the palace of Boothapandi
after pooja rituals of the temple. The royal order is in consideration of peasant’s
plea on vacating stay of land charges vs the defense side representation made
by the revenue staff. Inscription without date lists out the offerings
made by the temple authorities to the Pooja rituals of
Lord Chidambareswarar during the Tamil month Margazhi.
