An inscription (PSI 154)* in the temple of Valamathi Iswaram at Nirpazhani brings to limelight the installation and consecration of Lord Kshetrabala in the temple. Nirpazhani, located in Kulattur taluk of Pudukkottai district, is credited with a Chola period temple known in the name Valarmathi Iswaram. The temple is a single prakara complex with the main shrine consists of a three tier vimana, mukha mandapa, maha mandapa and porch. In addition, shrines for Goddess Subatranayagi, Bairava, Ganesa, Subrahmanya are also found. The temple is rich in inscriptions, the earliest inscription belongs to Maranjadaiya (a) Varaguna (765-815 C.E.).
In the 23rd regnal year of Kulottunga Chola deva, in the Valarmathi Iswaram temple, Lord Kshetrabala was installed and consecrated by one Maniyan malaiyazhvan, a native of Nirpazhani. In addition, the inscription also records the gift of Malaiyazhvan for daily offerings and service to the God. The inscription carries the epithet ‘Ezham, Madurai and Pandiyan mudithalaiyum konda’ Kulottunga Chola deva, identified as Kulottunga Chola III (1178-1223 C.E.) and the 23rd year corresponds to 1200-1201 C.E.
Manimalaiyazhvan in order to provide daily offerings (nivantham) to the God Kshetrabala gave his share of tax (tan-kadamai) in the lands called Kollan vayal, included in the devadana lands of this Lord. It is also stated that Kollan vayal, thenceforth to be ploughed and cultivated by the officers of temple treasury (Pandaram). Manimalaiyazhvan inscribed this arrangement in the temple of Lord of Valarmathiswaram to uphold it enduringly. The inscription also gleans that Nirpazhani was a hamlet of Urattur kurram of Vadakonadu in Kadaladaiyathilangaikonda Chola valanadu.
In the temple complex of Valarmathi Iswaram, the Kshetrabala shrine is on the eastern side, adjoining the mahamandapa of the Valarmathi Iswaram shrine. The shrine has upapitha, bhitti and prastara and lies facing south. At present, the shrine houses Lord Bairava of later period. However, inside the mukha mandapa of the main shrine Chola period sculptures are kept and in that a broken Kshetrabala sculpture is also seen. Probably, the deity installed by Maniyanmalaiyazhvan be the Kshetrabala kept in mukha mandapa. In addition, the attributes of the sculpture also place it to the Later Chola period.
The sculpture is broken at the knee and kept in two pieces. Kshetrabala in nude posture is standing in sama with his hands in kat̩aka carrying objects; damru in back right, snake in the back left whereas scull bowl in the front left and sula in the front right hand. His locks are gathered as sudarmudi (fire flames) and decked with head patta, crescent moon, scull, datura flower. His nude body is decked with various ornaments and entwined by a snake around the thighs, its raised hood is shown under the front left hand. kandigai, charapali, beaded mala, chavadi are seen around the neck, udarabandha in the abdomen, keyura and bangles in the upper and lower arms respectively, makara kundala and patra kundala in the right and left ears respectively. The yajñōpavita is worn in niveta style, besides, a long bell garland is worn in the left shoulder that extend upto his calf. Besides, thazhseri and veerakazhal are worn in both the legs. A flower garland (tholmalai) adorns his shoulder. In the broken lower part a dog is seen behind. The deity is shown with the third eye and tusk. The attributes of the sculpture place it to Chola period especially of Later Chola period.
- Pudukkottai State Inscriptions