The central government presented the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament on Thursday. Amidst the political debate over Waqf property, a village in Tamil Nadu has suddenly become a focal point. Located in Trichy, within the Srirangam constituency, is the village of Tiruchenthurayi, which the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, mentioned during the bill's introduction. As opposition parties voiced objections, the NDA government sent the bill to a JPC for necessary recommendations. Rijiju stated that 'several acres of land in Trichy's Tiruchenthurayi village have been declared as Waqf Board property.'
The 2,000-Year History of Tiruchenthurayi
The tangled issue concerning Tiruchenthurayi of Trichy and how it became an example of the whimsical decisions of the Waqf Board can be answered by the history of this village. If we travel back approximately 1,500 years, you would find a village on the coast of the Kaveri river delta with over 2,000 years of documented history. The mention of 1,500 years is due to the historical presence of the sacred Chandrasekhar Swami Temple.
Legend holds that after their Southern conquests, Chola rulers credited their victories to Mahadev Shiva's blessings and dedicated land to his name for temple construction. The mythical significance of Tiruchenthurayi is profoundly linked to the river Kaveri and the Chandrasekhar Swami Temple situated on its banks. Hindu mythology venerates Kaveri as a sacred river originating from the sage Agastya's pot. According to lore, when a crow tipped over the pot, the Kaveri River was born. Villages along its banks hold religious importance, and Tiruchenthurayi is no exception.
Source: aajtak
Dedicated to Shiva: The Chandrasekhar Swami Temple
The Chandrasekhar Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, remains the village's central religious site. Local beliefs hold that the temple's Shivling emerged naturally. A legend speaks of a herdsman discovering a luminous stone at this site, later instructed by Lord Shiva in a dream to construct a temple. Additionally, the Tamil Shaiva bhakti tradition includes narratives of Nayanar saints (Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar) celebrating Shiv temples along the Kaveri with devout hymns.
Mentioned in the Tevaram Hymns
The collection of devotional Shaiva hymns in Tamil Nadu's temples, known as the Tevaram hymns, includes references to this temple, and Tiruchenthurayi is considered associated with these hymns and the Nayanar Shaiva traditions. Although the village's name may not appear in the hymns, the significant role of the Kaveri in these traditions is unmissable, linking it inexplicably to the epic narratives like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The Ties Between Tiruchenthurayi and the Chola Empire
Tiruchenthurayi’s connection to the Chola Empire (9th-13th centuries) heightens its historical and religious significance. Founded by Vijayalaya Chola, the Chola dynasty made the Kaveri delta its heartland. Thus, positioned on the northern banks of the Kaveri, Tiruchenthurayi was a significant site during the Chola era. The Chandrasekhar Swami Temple stands as an example of Chola architecture, with construction attributed to the 10th-11th centuries.
The Temple's Construction During the Chola Era
This aligns with the reign of Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, significant patrons of Shaivism, constructing and maintaining numerous Shiva temples within their realms. Temple inscriptions reveal the Cholas bequeathed land and wealth, designating the temple as a religious and social hub for the local communities. Historical accounts assert the temple was commissioned by a sister of Raja Raja Chola.
The village takes its name from the temple itself, where 'Tiru' signifies 'Shri' or 'sacred,' and 'Chenthurai' means 'place.' Thus, the village embodies its mythological identity, stressing that the Cholas had already entrusted the land to Mahadev Shiva.
Source: aajtak
Cholas Enhance the Kaveri Irrigation System
The Cholas fortified the irrigation system on the Kaveri, allowing villages like Tiruchenthurayi to flourish as centers of agriculture and trade. The village’s self-governing assembly (Oor) was part of Chola administration, organized at both Mandalam and Nadu levels. Despite the decline of the Chola Empire, the village's religious importance persisted, even as its administrative influence waned.
Tiruchenthurayi: From the British Era to Independence
By the 18th century, when the British East India Company seized South India, Tiruchenthurayi was part of the agricultural zone within the Kaveri delta. British governance promoted paddy cultivation, but traditional systems like the village assembly weakened. The temple retained religious autonomy, continually serving the local community.
After 1947, Tiruchenthurayi surfaced as a peaceful rural settlement. Modern infrastructures like the Mettur Dam improved irrigation, bolstering agriculture. The village gradually accessed basic facilities, including electricity and roads. Throughout, the Chandrasekhar Swami Temple continued as a village landmark, drawing devotees during festivals.
The Truth Behind Queen Mangammal’s Alleged Land Gift
Some reports suggest that in the 18th century, a queen named Mangammal, forming alliances with several Muslim rulers, purportedly gifted land, including this area. However, no conclusive evidence validates this claim. In an investigation by India Today, regional officials disclosed that there’s no definitive record of Queen Mangammal’s donation in historical documents, casting doubt on the assertion. The revenue records for this land date back only to 1927, with no authentic data from earlier times.
Source: aajtak
This illustrates Queen Mangammal’s prominent role within Tamil Nadu's historical narrative, ruling the Madurai Nayak Kingdom during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. After her husband's demise, she assumed regency on behalf of her minor grandson, noted for her adept administration, courage, and foresight during her reign from 1689 to 1704.
Nawab Anwar-ud-Din Khan’s Waqf Donation
In recent years, Tiruchenthurayi faced controversy stemming from a Waqf Board claim over 480 acres of land, encompassing the Chandrasekhar Swami Temple. The Waqf Board asserts the land was donated by Nawab Anwar-ud-Din Khan (1744-1749) in the 18th century, officially documented in 1956 and mentioned in the 1954 gazette. Contrary to this, some sources claim that Queen Mangammal also provided a donation in the 17th century, complicating the matter further. Citing ancient copper plates, the Waqf Board contends the property is theirs.
How Was a 1,500-Year-Old Shiva Temple Turned into Waqf?
Conversely, the Hindu majority and temple supporters challenge the claim, arguing that the 1,500-year-old temple and its land are integral to Hindu heritage, preserved since the Cholas. Locals insist that the Waqf's assertion contradicts the temple’s antiquity and the Chola-era records. How can land and a site already dedicated to Shiva be donated elsewhere by another entity?
The Full Story
The ownership saga unfolds around the 1,500-year-old Manendiyavalli Chandrasekhar Swami Temple's land. Waqf claimed ownership over 369 acres encompassing the temple and its village. When farmer Rajagopal attempted to sell his 1.2-acre plot, a registration office halted proceedings, stating it belonged to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, requiring NOC from Waqf authorities.
This revelation shocked Rajagopal and fellow villagers as it wasn’t a singular issue but affected everyone living in the village. The village houses a 1,500-year-old Hindu temple (Chandrasekhar Swami Temple), and claiming a 1,400-year-old board owns a 1,500-year-old temple stretches credulity. Rajagopal stated that the registrar informed him the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board had sent a 250-page letter to the deeds department declaring all land transactions in Tiruchenthurayi must secure their no-objection certificate.
