South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c9.83.3

c9.83.3

1070-1073) show that these kings made some benefactions to the Saiva temple, there, which was known as *Vanvanama-devisvaram Udaiyar*. The first part of the name suggests that the temple must have been founded by or at least come into existence at the time of a queen called Vanavanmadevi, probably a Chola princess. A few short epigraphs found close to these Saiva temples refer to donors whose names show their connection with the South Indian towns Tiruppavanam,¹ Tiruvaiyaru and Chidambaram. After throwing off the Chola yoke in 1073 the Ceylonese retaliated by invading the Chola country during the reign of Raj Rajadhiraj II (1111-78). Led by their General Dandanath they captured and plundered Ramesvaram and marched upon Madura and burnt some villages in the Puttukkotai taluk. An inscription found in Arpakkam near Conjivaram gives a vivid picture of the dismay of the Cholas and describes the ravages of ' very wicked and vicious men,' ' all sinners against Siva' who had ' removed the sacred door of the temple at holy Ramesvaram, obstructed the worship and carried away all the temple treasures" (*Tanjore District Gazetteer*, page 32). A desecration of such an important Saivaite shrine could hardly be expected from any invaders with the slightest leaning for Saivaite worship.² It was obvious that in spite of a continued Chola occupation for nearly seventy years the Ceylonese had not developed much predilection for the Saiva religion.