Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The palace of Cholas in Chola Maligai (Maligai meaning palace) village near
Patteeswaram is in ruins and there is only a mud mound now. Also, the
Samadhi of Raja Raja Chola is said to be in Udayalur nearby in a private
property without any big monument but there is also a controversy about the
authenticity of it.
Pazhayarai Facts
Pazhayarai had limits starting from Pettai Nanayakara Theru
of Kumbakonam to Mudikondan River and was a big city. Old Pazhayarai
includes current day – Pazhayarai, Patteeswaram, Thirusakthimutram,
Arichandram, Parkulam, Muzhaiyur, Ramanathan Koil, and Konapperumal
koil, Ariyapadaiyur, Pambai Padaiyur, Puthupadayur, Manappadaiyur and
Rajendran Pettai.
During Nandivarman II, this city gets into History records and got
it’s another name Nandipuram. Mangayarkarasi, wife of Pandiyan was
believed to be the daughter of “Manimudi Chozhan” was believed to be
operating from Pazhayarai.
During Rajendra Chola period, this place is known by his one of the names –
Mudi konda Cholapuram. All the Chola kings have in one way or another had
some of their operations from Pazhayarai - Kulothunga I has given official
orders from Pazhayarai sitting from “Vanadhirayan” seat.
History
There are lots of small villages inside the historical town of Pazhayarai
- Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram, Sathi Mutram, Patteeswaram with all their
temples. There were four legendary temples, Vadathali, Keelthali, Metrali and
Thenthali across four sides of the city. The Battle camps (Padai Veedu) of the
warriors namely Arya padai Veedu, Pudhu padai Veedu, Manapadai Veedu
and Pambai Padai Veedu are located within Pazhayarai limits.
There was only one palace for Vijayalaya Chola, but later individual palaces
were built for all the princes. The great Chola king Rajaraja I, who built
the Big Temple of Thanjavur is said to have spent his last days here, the
capital of his predecessors. Rajaraja Chola's final resting place is in the
present-day village of Udayalur (also known as Sri Kangeyapuram), within a
few kilometers from Pazhayarai.
Excavations made in Nandhan medu and Cholan Maligai has revealed that
lives were existing at this place since Stone Age. It also remained as a Temple
city right from the Pallava period. Nandivarman Pallava II (710-715 A.D.)
built a fort and lived here till it was attacked by a Pandyan King. Manimudi
Chola ruled from here during 650 A.D. His daughter, Mangayarkarasi was
married to Pandian Maravarman Arikesari (also known as Koon Pandiyan
and Nelveli venra Nedumaran).
Nandivarman III conquered Cholas and Pandyas and captured Pazhayarai
from Cholas. Paranthaka II alias Sundara Chola (957- 970 A.D) lived here
and renovated many Temples. The Town attained special attention during the
regime of Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 A.D) Rajendra Chola (1012-1044)
spent his childhood here and passed many orders.
It was at this time Pazhayarai was also called as "Mudikonda Cholapuram".
Kundavai, the sister of Rajaraja I was living here in the palace, specially
allotted to her. Rajaraja II (1146- 1168 A.D.) made Pazhayarai as his capital
and built a great shrine at Darasuram.
Temples
Pazhayarai Vadathali is in Muzhayur, now known as Dharmapureeswarar
Temple. The elevated shrine faces east and the whole Temple, which faced
extinction has been renovated fully and presents a new look. Saint Appar has
sung Thevaram Hymn on this Deity after observing fast to free it from the
clutches of Jains who kept it closed.
The Temples located in and around Pazhayarai are briefed below in detail;