the epigraphical researches have disclosed, there were only two kings of that name, and the earlier of whom reigned about A.D. 820. Further, Srivaramangalam or Vanamamalai, wherein there have been from time immemorial an important Vishnu temple and a Vaishnava Mutt, came into existence in the reign of the Pandya king Ko-Maran-Sadaiyan (A.D. 880) under the circumstances set forth in the following extract from a copper plate grant of that king. 'While the seventeenth year of the reign of Nedum Sadaiyan,... the most devoted follower of Vishnu, was current...he gave with libations of water the village of Velangudi in Tenkalavalinadu, having cancelled its former name from old times and having bestowed on it the new name of Srivaramangalam to Sujjata Bhatta'... From the description of the boundaries given in the plates it is clear that the shrine and the famous Mitt should have been built towards the end of the ninth century A. D. This village is only a short distance from Tirukkurungudi another well. known shrine where Tirumangai Alvar spent the remaining years of his life. Yet, he has not said one word about this important temple anywhere in his hymns.
(6) Sri Villiputtur which is one of the famous shrines of modern times in the Tinnevelly district was not visited either by Tirumangai Alvar, because it was not in existence in his days, or by Nammalvar, as it did not come into prominence or was not known to the Vaishnavas outside the village. Peri-
