Context

Inscriptions dating back to various periods were found at the Sri Madhava Perumal Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Temple submerged by Bhavanisagar dam

• Revelation of Major Trade Route: According to the inscriptions found at the temple, a major trade route connecting the Kongu region in western Tamil Nadu with southern Karnataka and Kerala had existed over 1,000 years ago. 
• Submerged Temple Revealed as Water Levels Drop: This temple largely remained submerged in the water-spread area of the Bhavanisagar dam in Erode district.
  • The temple, in a dilapidated state, is currently visible following the depletion of water level in the dam to less than 46 feet, as against the full reservoir level of 105 feet. 
• Ancient Village: A village named Thuravalur existed there over 1,000 years ago with a temple for Thondreeshwaramudiayar (Lord Shiva). 

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• • The area served as peruvali (a trunk road), and traders crossed River Bhavani and River Moyar to reach Wayanad in Kerala and various places in Karnataka. 
• Inscriptions Detailing Traders and Transportation: Inscriptions with the names of many traders reveal they were dealing in oil, clothes, cattle, and handicrafts, and they could have traveled on foot and used donkeys or horses for transport.

Sri Madhava Perumal Temple

Background: Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala III (1292-1342), the last great king of the Hoysala Empire, ruled the region. He asked Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka, the general of the army, to rule the region. He constructed the Dhandanayaka Fort which was later renamed as Danaikan Fort. The fort, constructed 680 years ago, was destroyed of which only the damaged temple is visible now.

• Temple Construction: Madhava Perumal Dhandanayaka’s son Veera Siddha Keththaya Dhandanayaka constructed the Sri Madhava Perumal Temple inside the fort. 
• An inscription found on a stone describes it as “Nilagiri Sadaranan Kottai”, and villages along the fort were called “Oduvanganadu”. 
• Important Events: The Battle of Sathyamangalam, fought between September 13 and 15, 1790, during the Third Anglo-Mysore War from 1790 to 1792 took place near the fort.

• • Later, the British brought the area under their control and the Nilgiris, which was part of the Mysore Province, was merged with the Madras Province.
• Idols Shifted to New Temples: The construction of the Bhavanisagar dam, the first major irrigation project in Tamil Nadu after independence, began in 1948 and was completed in 1955. .

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