The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c13.250

v1.c13.250

Hinduism was also fostered by "the pious son of Kotyam Nagama Nayadu", as he is called in a grant of 1560 ⁸. Visvanatha was a very staunch Hindu who carried from Vijayanagara to Madura the statue of the goddess Durga, and as soon as he reached his capital, restored and enlarged its temple. The *History of the Karnataka Governors* informs us that he also built the temple of Srirangam ⁹; but since we know that Srirangam already existed before the conquest of Visvanatha ¹⁰, this must have reference to the enlargements carried out by his order. As a matter of fact, the *Srirangam-Koyil-olugu* records that Visvanatha made to the god Ranganatha gifts of several golden vessels, costly ornaments and pieces of land to the extent of three lakhs of pons ¹¹. The *Tiruppani-malai* also mentions several of his gifts to the god Sundaresvara of Madura ¹². Moreover he erected many new temples in Tinnevelly ¹ and in other parts of his dominions, and along with them the usual mandapams and connected places ². Similarly in many parts of his dominions he built agraharams or Brahman streets ³.