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Irrigation Tanks and Historic Temples in Manapparai Region

By V. Barandhaman

Vol. 29June 2022pp. 67–86English

Summary

This study examines irrigation tanks and historic temples in the Manapparai region of Tamil Nadu, focusing on their historical, cultural, and architectural significance. The research covers four villages—Maravanur, Marungur, Vembanur, and Paluvanji—each featuring ancient water bodies and associated temples dating from the 7th to 18th centuries CE. These tanks and temples, often linked to deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and local gods, served as centers for rituals, festivals, and community life. The temples exhibit distinct architectural styles, including Dravida and Vesara, with features like Kapotha (granite ceilings), Vimana (towers), and intricate carvings. Inscriptions from the Pandya, Nayak, and Vijayanagara periods provide historical context, mentioning village names and temple constructions. The study highlights the interdependence of water resources, agriculture, and religious practices in the region, emphasizing the role of tanks in irrigation and temple rituals. The consistent layout of temples around tank bunds, with deities arranged by function (protector, fertility, destroyer), reflects a structured socio-religious system. The research also notes the decline of inscriptions and structural damage over time, underscoring the need for preservation. Overall, the Manapparai region's water bodies and temples represent a vital link between ancient Tamil Nadu's ecological and cultural heritage.

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Conclusion

The study of irrigation tanks and historic temples in the Manapparai region reveals their integral role in shaping socio-religious and agricultural practices across centuries. These water bodies, often linked to Vishnu, Shiva, and local deities, served as focal points for rituals, festivals, and community life, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual significance of water in ancient Indian traditions. The architectural diversity of temples—from gran

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “The place where every civilization is born and grows is the area where there is water source.”
  • “The exploration in Manapparai 10°36’30.0”N 78°25’23.9”E region has revealed more than 40 lakes or tanks of historical period with some inscriptions ranging from 7 th to 18 th Century C.E along with temples.”
  • “In the medieval period (6 th to 10 th century C.E), people constructed temples and other religious structures along the banks of the water bodies.”

Works cited in this article

  1. Rig Veda, X.29.3
  2. Jemes Heitzman, ‘State formations in South India, C.E. 850-1280’ , The Indian Economic and Social History Review , SAGE , New Delhi, 1987. pp.43-44.
  3. Yathish Kumar, V.P., Maravanur Kalvettu , Avanam 30, Tamil Nadu Archaeological Society, 2019, p.6.
  4. Barandhaman, V., History and Archaeology of Thuvarangurichi Region through Archaeology and Epigraphy , Unpublished M.Phil theses, Tamil University, Thanjavur, 2011, pp.74-75.
  5. The Pandya Copper Plate , Ulaga Tamil Araichhi Niruvanam, Tharamani, Chennai.

Discussed in this article

Places

  • Manapparai
  • Tamilnadu 56
  • Maravanur Lake
  • Paluvanji Lake
  • Chola country
  • Trichy District
  • Thiruchirappalli
  • south Vellar River
  • Marungur Lake
  • Vembanur Lake

Texts & works

Dynasties, sects & groups

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In this issue

Vol. 29
7–8Journal of Indian History and Culture: Medieval India Focus and Contributor GuidelinesNanditha C. Krishna, Kamala Gopalan, G.B. Balaji, J. Sumathi, T. Pichulakshmi, H. Manikandan, G. J. Sudhakar9–18Lakulisa Iconography in Arittapatti Cave: A Pandya Rock-Cut Sculpture StudyN. Usha Devi19–41Traditional Water Storage and Conservation Methods in North East India – A ReviewG. Srinivasan42–66Jīrṇōdhāraṇa Kumbhābhiṣekam: Indigenous Temple Conservation in South IndiaSadhish Sharma67–86Irrigation Tanks and Historic Temples in Manapparai RegionV. BarandhamanCurrent article87–104Sacred Groves of Kerala: Cultural and Ecological ExplorationsLijin V105–116Migration's Impact on Garhwal and Kumaun: Political and Social Structures, 15th-18th CenturyDolly Purohit117–154English Private Trade and Territorial Expansion in Seventeenth-Century East Coast IndiaJyoti Phulera155–182Church Missionary Society's Educational and Medical Welfare Work in Colonial Punjab (1850-1920)Maninder Kaur183–211Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism in Modern TravancoreSubhash212–222Weavers' Settlements and Colonial Trade in 17th-18th Century MadrasJ. Sumathi223–252Feeding the East India Company: Troops and Configuration of Power in Eighteenth-Century DeccanAakhya253–275Royal Ladies of Murshidabad: Power, Piety, and Politics in Eighteenth-Century BengalTuhina Islam276–286Partition's Impact on Jalpaiguri: Refugees, Rehabilitation, and Colonial ResettlementKalikrishna Sutradhar287–314Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Political Mobilization of Dalits in Colonial MaharashtraSudhimandloi315–328Port Administration in Travancore Before IntegrationSuresh J329–341Ecological Traditions and Indigenous Knowledge of Citrus Plants in IndiaA. Abirami342–355Girls' Education Status in Jharkhand: Literacy and Dropout ChallengesAshwini Barla, B. Pramila356–371Subaltern Resistance and Constitutional Reforms in Cochin Legislative Council (1925-1949)M C Vinayan372–378The Microphone Men: How Orators Shaped Modern IndiaPriyadarshi Dutt379–385The Devi in the Diva: Myths, Archetypes, Brands, FilmsShyaonti Talwar

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