About the temple

A 12th century inscription was found in the plinth of a dilapidated Chola era temple at Umbalapadi near Kabisthalam in Thanjavur district.

Kudvayil Balasubramanian, a noted historian who with the help of Sundar Bharatwaj, a research scholar of Bharathi Dasan University and another Balasubramanian, a retired banker, read and detailed the inscriptions found in the temple.

Umbalapadi village was part of larger area called ‘Rajendrasimha Valanattu Mirai Kootram’. The village came to be known as ‘Ethirili Chola Nallur’, during the period of Kulothunga Chola II (1133-1150).

As per the inscriptions found in the plinth area, the main deity of the temple which is now seen dilapidated with a Pipal tree grown in the midst of the structure was called Nilavanai Mahadevar.

A dancer named Selvi Uyyakonda Naachi had instituted an endowment with five gold units to conduct early morning poojas during the Chithirai festival and also for conducting the procession of the deity.

The inscription also notes that the Shiva Brahmins from the Muppadhu Vattam area have accepted to give effect to the endowment. Kudavayil Balasubramanian also noted the inscription recorded the Tamil translation of the ‘Chandra Sekarar’, the name of the God as the Nilavanai Mahadevar.