14 



Report on the Mackenzie MoJiuscri'pls, 



[July 



to figures of speech customary with the Saivas. Great benefits arise 

 from any act of homage. After Siva had cut off one of Brahma's heads, 

 to humble the latter's pride, the said Brahma did penance at this place, 

 and bathed in a reservoir, which thence acquired the name of Brahma^ 

 tirtlia. In consequence of Brahma^ s so humbling himself, Siva restor- 

 ed to him his power, and office, of creating; and directed him to build 

 certain fanes, and mantapas, or porches. Many kings endowed these 

 places, which afterwards went to ruin. In Sal. Sac. 1316, the third of 

 the (northern) dynasty (at Madura) Kistnapa nayaker gave grants, 

 which continued down to the time of Runga-Kistna-Mutthu-Firapa- 

 nmjaker, and consisted of Uitaiiir and Mottan-guri, villages. In the 

 disturbances caused by Chunda Saheb, and the Mahomedans, many re- 

 cords and inscriptions were destroyed. The measures of lands, belong- 

 ing to the fane, are stated. 



The Si'hala Mahatmya of Uttatur. 



The origin of the place is traced up to the time of Rama, who return- 

 ing from his conquest of Ravana, received at this place the congratula- 

 tion, and benediction of Valmica, and other rishis. The image here 

 worshipped is called Cotanda-Rama-svami (or the how-holding- Rama) ; 

 but the inscriptions, books, &c., perished many years ago. Some mat- 

 ters are mentioned, by tradition; and, chiefly, that the place had an 

 endowment of two hundred pagodas annually, appropriated to it from 

 the revenues of the before mentioned Saiva fane, by order of the Eng- 

 lish government. 



Detail of the fane of Chelli-ammen, This is the fane of a local god- 

 dess deriving its means of support from the before mentioned endowed 

 Saiva fane. The worshippers, at this place, make their bed of thorns 

 and brambles, and repose on them, as an act of penance. 



Detail of the fane of Cotanda-Rama-svami at Ariyalur. 



The former wilderness was cleared by a Marava-m?m named Rama- 

 upulata-Marava-rai/en ; in doing which six images were dug up ; and 

 by directions received in a dream, a fane was built for their reception, 

 which the said Marava endowed by presenting to it the village called 

 Ferra-cudi, producing an annual revenue of four hundred pagodas. 



Further particulars concerning Chiiambaram. 



A detail of the tradition of the legend from 'Sim, originally, down 

 through various sages of repute in Hindu annals. 



It is the residence of Sahha nat^ha. There is an immense mountain 

 beneath the place, and under the earth. All the celestials pay homage 

 to the form of Siva therein found. A muni received there the gift of 

 climbing trees to avoid tigervS, without trouble, and also the gift of hav- 



