Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/177

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S. R. J. K. V. Ettappa Nayakar Bahadur.
137


A stone mantapam of exquisite workmanship was erected by the Zemindar at a cost of Rupees 30,000, in honor of Calugachala Murti (a Hindu God).

A palanquin and jewels of the value of Rs. 20,000 were presented to the same idol. The lakshadwipam (one lac of lights) ceremony was performed on a very grand scale at a cost of a large sum of money. Rs. 50,000 were spent in connection with the ashtahandanam (the ceremony of fixing an idol) which was performed in honor of Saliwateswarar and Sri Kanthimathi of Tinnevelly. He established a choultry at a cost of Rs. 15,000, which is still in existence, and in which Brahmins and Goshais are supplied with food gratis every day. He built some more temples and they are all even to this day maintained by the members of his family. The excellent buildings known as Sundaravilasam, Kaliana Mahal, Subramania Vilasam, and others that grace the town of Etaiyapuram were built in his time. The two flags of honor promised to the Zemindar's father were received then. He left behind him five sons, Jagavira Rama Kumara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan, Venkateswara Ettu Nayakar, Muthuswami Pandian and Ramaswami Pandian. The eldest of these succeeded to the estate and built a new palace in the place of the old one which he pulled down. He also erected a substantial brick fortress instead of the old mud fort. The edifice known as "Shunmugavilasam" with a golden cupola was built by him. Some roads, especially the fine and broad one leading to Naduvirpati, were constructed under his orders. Villages yielding an annual income of Rs. 2,500 were set apart for the festivals of the Siva and Vishnu temples. Villages yielding Rs. 7,600, annually were made permanent endowments for the up-keep of the temple of Subra-