A tiny Chola temple with numerous inscriptions
The prakaram has sanctums for Ganesha, Kasi Viswanatha, Subramanya, Chandikeshwara, Bhairava, Navagraha and also a large shrine for Sasta. On the east side are Nandi, dvajastambham and bali-pitham.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Plea for archaeological excavation at Marudur dam dismissed
Madurai: Madras high court has dismissed a plea seeking a direction to conduct archaeological excavations at Marudur dam in Srivaikuntam, Tuticorin district. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed in 2020 by S Kamaraj. The petitioner stated that Marudur dam is one of the longest dams across the Thamirabarani river. He stated that several stone inscriptions are found on the dam, which could be traced back to the 13th century. During ancient times, a Chola king demolished the temple constructed by the Pandya king and constructed a dam over it. He stated it is one of the ancient sites of archaeological importance. Hence, the petitioner moved the HC Madurai bench, seeking archaeologists to visit the dam and carry out archaeological excavation at the site using scientific methods. A division bench of justice S M Subramaniam and justice A D Maria Clete took note of the fact that officials from the archaeology department conducted an inspection and found that the excavation at the site is not feasible. Therefore, no further adjudication needs to be undertaken in this petition, the judges observed and dismissed the petition. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Tracing the route of King Rajendra Chola's 1000-year-old Gangetic expedition
The gala celebrations of the millenary of Rajendra Chola - I's Gangetic expedition has turned the spotlight on how his might army traversed vast swathes of eastern and northern India in the 11th Century CE, overcoming several powerful kingdoms along the way to reach the Ganges and fetch water for the monarch's glory. Contrary to the popular belief that Rajendra Chola personally marched towards the Gangetic plains, inscriptions on the Tiruvalangadu copper plates reveal that one of the ablest generals of the king had commanded the military expedition towards the Ganges. The monarch had stayed back on the banks of the Godavari. With the help of voluminous historical works such as The Colas by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, Pirkaala Sozhar Sarithiram (History of Later Cholas) by T.V. Sadasiva Pandarathar, and The Palas of Bengal by R.D. Banerji, The Hindu attempts to reconstruct the path traced by Rajendra Chola's army. These accounts reveal the Chola forces defeated kingdoms in the eastern Deccan, coastal Odisha, and eventually clashed with the Pala dynasty in Bengal. Venginadu The actual campaign began not from the Chola's capital in the South, but from the northeast of Venginadu that spread across the Godavari and Krishna rivers. Venginadu at that time was ruled by kings (Eastern Chalukyas or Chalukyas of Vengi) loyal to the Cholas. Due to Vengi's close ties with the Cholas, and since all the regions to its south were already under Rajendra Chola's empire, the expedition began north of Vengi, with the first conquest in that campaign being Chakrakottam. Chakrakottam is situated eight miles from Rajapura, on the southern bank of the Indravati River. In modern times, the place is known as Chitrakootam (Bastar region in present-day Chhattisgarh). After the fall of Chakrakottam, the Chola army marched towards the green fields of 'Masuna Desam' or 'Masuni Desam' under the control of brave rulers of the Chindaka family who identified themselves as belonging to the Naga lineage. Nilakanta Sastri, while citing a Tamil Prasasti, says the region of Maduramandalam, Namanaikkonam and Panchappalli, all fell under the 'Masuni Desam'. He said Maduramandalam was destroyed in a trice by the Chola army. Namanaikkonam with dense groves and Panchappalli, whose warriors bore cruel bows, were also conquered by Rajendra's commander. Indraratha's defeat Following that, the Chola commander marched further northeast, defeated Indraratha at Adinagara, and captured the regions of Odda (Odisha). His campaign took a westward turn with the capture of the Kosala kingdom. The region of Kosala referred to here is Dakshina (southern) Kosala, also known as Mahakosala. Having consolidated control over central-eastern India, the next target was Dandabhukti to the east, ruled by Dharmapala. Dandabhukti comprised the southern and southwestern parts of the Midnapore district in Bengal. Therefore, it likely stretched along both banks of the Subarnarekha River. Bengal From there, the Chola forces advanced towards Bengal. After defeating Dharmapala, Rajendra's army marched towards Dakshinaradha (Takkana Ladam in Tamil), ruled by Ranasura. 'Radha' (also spelt as Ratta or Lada) was the ancient name of a part of Bengal, which was bounded on the north by the Ganges. Dakshinaradha refers to the area comprising today's Hooghly and Howrah districts in Bengal, while Uttararadha (Uttara Ladam in Tamil) refers to the regions comprising Murshidabad and Birbhum districts. The Ganges With southern Bengal subdued, the commander passed eastwards, crossed the Ganges, and reached Vangala Desam (Eastern Bengal), which was then ruled by Govindachandra. Following the conquest of Eastern Bengal, Rajendra Chola's army turned westward and defeated Mahipala. The commander reached the Ganges, fetched water from the river, and brought it to his sovereign lord, Rajendra, whom he met on the banks of the Godavari during the army's retreat. Though the fetching of the Ganges water was perhaps part of the original objective, the true motive was undoubtedly an exhibition of the Chola empire's power and a demonstration of its strength to the rulers of northern India, says Nilakanta Sastri. Rajendra then returned to his kingdom with his victorious general. In great joy, the emperor accepted the sacred objects brought back. During his return journey, he visited various temples and made offerings, as mentioned in several inscriptions. One such inscription was found in Thriloki (modern-day Thirulogi near Thiruppanandal in the Thanjavur district), located about ten miles southeast of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, notes Sadasiva Pandarathar. According to the Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy for the year ending March 31, 1932, 'A fragmentary record engraved in Tiruloki makes an interesting reference to the incident of the king worshipping the sacred feet of the Lord at this village, which is only about 10 miles from Gangaikonda Cholapuram, while returning with the waters of the Ganges. (Rajendra-Choladevar Gangaikondu elundarulukinra idattu tiruvadi tolu[du]).' The ancient name of this place was given as Trailokyamahadevi-chaturvedimangalam. According to Sastri, such expeditions were undertaken by all powerful monarchs in India and were enjoined upon them by the political code of the country. The aim of the expedition was not merely to bring down the water of the Ganges to the Chola capital, but to do so after establishing a right of way across territories outside the empire by a strong show of force. This becomes clear from the statement that at the end of the expedition, Rajendra erected a 'liquid pillar of victory' (jalamayam jayastambham) in his capital with the waters of the Ganges, in the form of the tank Cholagangam. Banerji says the invasion of the Chola king did not change the political divisions of the country, but it left one permanent mark in the shape of a body of settlers, who occupied the thrones of Bengal and Mithila as the Sena and Karnata dynasties during the latter days of the Palas.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
A tiny Chola temple with numerous inscriptions
Perambakkam, a small village, is home to a Siva temple, wherein the deity is worshipped as Cholishwarar (Soleeshwarar). Devotees enter this temple from the south side where there is only an entrance but no gopuram. Immediately in front is a small raised platform, possibly of Chola vintage, with steps on the east and west and an image of Gajalakshmi carved at the base. Inside is a small mandapa, again belonging to the Chola times, with the south-facing sanctum of Goddess Parvati, worshipped here as Kamakshi Ambal. Close by, facing east, is enshrined the Siva Lingam called Cholishwarar or Narambishwarar as this deity is believed to cure nervous disorders. There is a perforation in the east wall in front of Cholishwarar, through which Nandi, consecrated in the prakaram (enclosure) outside can have darshan of the Linga. The prakaram has sanctums for Ganesha, Kasi Viswanatha, Subramanya, Chandikeshwara, Bhairava, Navagraha and also a large shrine for Sasta. On the east side are Nandi, dvajastambham and bali-pitham.
