Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2320

c7.2320

The next one is the Kottayam Copper edicts known as the ‘Tarisa Church Edicts.’ This is a document granting the Tarisa Church in Quilon, the adjoining lands and some other institutions. This edict was granted by Ayyanaṭi tiruvaṭikal the ruler of the Nāṭu (division), for the Cera emperor. It is mentioned as “including the Temple Officer Vijayarākatevar”, which means that Vijayarāka had been present on the occasion of granting the edict, as the representative of Emperor Sthāṇuravi. The Nāḍuvāzhis (local chiefs or rulers of division) were not empowered to take decision in very important matters. Titles, rights distinctions of rank etc. were granted by a council of chief minister, Officers, Punnaṭṭalappaṭi and Polakkūṭippaṭi (two high officials). Vijayarākatevar, the Koil adhikāri, was the representative of the emperor at Mahodayapura. The supervising officials of temples were generally called the ‘Koil adhikāri’. Normally the younger brothers of the Kings were appointed in this rank. These temple-officers were helped in their duties by the Division-rulers, people of the locality and the inferior officers in the temple. When the empire of Kulaśekhara declined, the family of Perumpāḍappu got this position of ‘Koil adhikāri’. So the title ‘Koil adhikāri’ is added to the names of the princes of Cochin.