தமிழகத் திருத்தலங்களின் மரபு அறிவும் தேவராயன்பேட்டைத் தலத்தின் தனிச்சிறப்பும்: The Traditional Knowledge of Tamil Nadu Holy Shrines and the Unique Significance of the Devarayanpettai Shrine

திருவாளர் பெ.ராஜதுரை; திருவாளர் செ.தங்கராஜ்; முனைவர் வெ. ச. சீனிவாசன்

doi:10.63300/tm12022026.20

Authors

Rajadurai P Guest Lecturer, TAMIL Department (SF), Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture, Palani, Author
S. Thangaraj Assistant professor & Head, Department of Tamil, K.S.R College of Arts and Science for Women, Tiruchengode Author
Dr.V.C.Srinivasan Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12022026.20

Keywords:

Holy Shrine, Traditional Knowledge, Devarayanpettai, Machapureeswarar, Chola Architecture, Tevara Vaipputhalam, Heritage Conservation

Abstract

The holy shrines of Tamil Nadu are not merely places of worship; they are living archives of traditional knowledge accumulated over centuries across multiple domains, including architecture, water management, ecology, and social administration. This paper broadly examines these traditional knowledge systems embedded within the holy shrines of Tamil Nadu and provides a detailed study on the unique significance of the Machapureeswarar shrine in Kovil Devarayanpettai, located near Papanasam in the Thanjavur district.

Built during the reign of Aditya Chola I (c. 870–907 CE), this shrine is a prominent site representing the Early Chola architectural style and the Tevara Vaipputhalam tradition (shrines mentioned in the Tevaram hymns). Its unique architectural features include a perfectly linear alignment stretching from the sanctum sanctorum to the Kodi Maram (flagstaff), a brick-built enclosure wall (Thiruchutru Madhil), and a dual-entrance structure. Drawing upon 15 recent research papers, this article highlights the current research trends regarding the preservation of traditional knowledge in Tamil Nadu shrines and underscores the need to analyze the Devarayanpettai shrine within this broader framework.

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Author Biographies

Rajadurai P, Guest Lecturer, TAMIL Department (SF), Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture, Palani,

திருவாளர் பெ.ராஜதுரை, கௌரவ விரிவுரையாளர், தமிழ்த்துறை (சுயநிதி பாடப்பிரிவு), அருள்மிகு பழனியாண்டவர் கலை மற்றும் பண்பாட்டு கல்லூரி, பழனி.

Rajadurai P, Guest Lecturer, TAMIL Department (SF), Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture, Palani,

*Corresponding Author Email: prajadurai059@gmail.com.
S. Thangaraj, Assistant professor & Head, Department of Tamil, K.S.R College of Arts and Science for Women, Tiruchengode

திருவாளர் செ.தங்கராஜ், உதவிப் பேராசிரியர் மற்றும் தலைவர், தமிழ்த்துறை, கே.எஸ்.ஆர் கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் மகளிர் கல்லூரி, திருச்செங்கோடு.

S. Thangaraj, Assistant professor & Head, Department of Tamil, K.S.R College of Arts and Science for Women, Tiruchengode

Email: thangaraj.thamizh@gmail.com
Dr.V.C.Srinivasan, Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

முனைவர் வெ. ச. சீனிவாசன், நிர்வாக அதிகாரி, நந்தா கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி), ஈரோடு.

Dr.V.C.Srinivasan, Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

Email: srivc2345@gmail.com Orcid Id: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9926-7982

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