Regarding the existence of Pichavaram cholas, my beloved Guru and eminent archaeologist Thiru. Natana Kasinathan Sir, has done research work along with myself and my friend annal. Many valid evidence such as inscriptions/documents relates the Pichavaram cholas existence from 16th century A.D. onwards. After the downfall of the chola empire in the end of 13th century A.D., the chola clans settled in the secured place in “Devikottai”, 05 kms from Pichavaram. I have visited to “Devikottai” fort alongwith Thiru. Chandrapandia Padaiandavar of Chidambaram a few years before.
The fort is totally damaged and few ramparts are scattered in the marooned area. Most of the Learned Scholars are in the opinion that the Pichavaram cholas are the descendants of imperial cholas. However, the lack of evidence for 14th and 15th century A.D. In order to bridge the gap for the lack period, I have tried through several sources and prayed God to render evidence for the lack period. The God has fulfilled my pray. Now, I have discovered an unshakable evidence proving the Pichavaram cholas are the descendant of imperial cholas. The evidence is from Sanskrit and that too, the “Thilla Dikshidars” certified that, the Pichavaram cholas are chola kings.
The details of the evidence : The “Parthavana Mahatmayam” and “Rajendrapura Mahatmayam”. Both the mahatmayams have been published by Madras Sanskrit College/K.S.R. Institute, Mylapore, Chennai – 06. The mahatmayams are in Sanskrit and its about “Umapathi Sivacharya”, one among the “Thillai Dikshidars” of 14th century A.D. The mahatmayams mentions “Chola king named Vira Varma Chola of Pichapuram” is significant in history.
In Parthavana Mahatmayam : “A lady reported to the chola king named Vira Varman, who ruled the Pichapuram.” (அவள் பிச்சபுரமென்னும் ஸமீபஸ்தலத்தில் அந்நாள் அரசுபுரிந்திருந்த வீரவர்மா என்னும் சோழனிடத்திற்போய் முறையிட்டாள்).
In Parthavana Mahatmayam : “Umapathy Sivacharyar went to Vira Varma Chola and asked for a land grant to a lady. The king donated the land and went to Pichapuram.” (ஆசார்யரும் வீரவர்மசோழனைப் பார்த்து இவளது ஜீவனத்தின்பொருட்டு நிலங்களை மானியமாக விட்டுக்கொடுக்கக்கடவாய் என்று ஆஞ்ஞாபிக்க அரசனும் அங்ஙனம் செய்வேன் என்று ஆசார்யரை வணங்கி அனுமதி பெற்றுக்கொண்டு பிச்சபுரம்போய்ச் சேர்ந்தான்).
In Rajendrapura Mahatmayam : “Umapathy Sivacharyar went to south east of Chidambaram area the Rajendirapuram (alias) Kottrankudi and stayed along with his disciples in the madalayam constructed by Vira Varma Chola.” (உமாபதிசிவாசார்யர் சிதம்பரத்தின் தென்கீழ்த்திசையதாகிய ராஜேந்திரபுரம் என்னும் கொற்றங்குடியில் தம்பொருட்டு வீரவர்மசோழனால் கட்டப்பட்ட மடாலயத்தில் சீடர்களோடு வசித்தார்).
In the preface of the book “Sri Umapati Sivacarya / His Life, Works and Contribution to Saivism”, the K.S.R. Institute adviser S.S. Janaki has stated the following :
“As is usual with great religious teachers and philosophical leaders there is no authentic history about the personal, religious and literary life of Umapathy Sivacharya except some scattered information. His traditional biography is found in Sanskrit at some detail in the two texts, Parthavana Mahatmya or Korravangudi Purana in 240 verses as found in Chidambarasara and in the form of a dialouge between Brahmanan dayati and Sankaracarya and Rajendrapura (Tillai) – Mahatmya or Umapati Vijaya in 108 verses by Tillai Sivananda Diksita. Both Rajendrapura and Parthavana are identical with the place Kottrangudi, the modern Kottangudi, east of the Chidambaram Railway station.
The two puranic accounts glorify Umapathi Sivacharya as having performed or participated in some miraculous deeds at Chidambaram and its vicinity. The two puranas were published in Grantha Script with summaries in Tamil in the introduction to the Chidambaram edition of the Pauskara Agama with the bhasya of Umapathi Sivacharya. They were edited from mss. secured from “Bhrama Sri Somayaji Appaswami Diksita” and Bhrama Sri Somayaji Rajaratna Diksita at Chidambaram.”
The above mentioned facts clearly shows that the Pichavaram cholas are the descendants of imperial cholas. Without knowing the fact , some people spread the irrelevant message, stating that, the Pichavaram Zamindar is a “Pannaiar”. In what way, a pannaiar allowed in the world class Thillai Nataraja temple to crown as a Chola King. In the Indian history, no Zamindar/Panniar performed with crowning ceremony except few Royal Families. Thillai Natarajar is the family deity God (Kuladeivam) of imperial cholas and that is why the, Thillai Dikshidars” crown to the Pichavaram cholas. It is the custom/rituals to crown in the Nataraja temple by chola clans. From the times of later cholas, the “Thillai Bramins” used to crown to the chola clans. Others (which includes other kings) are not entitled for the same rights. The “Thirumanikuzhi” inscription of Kulotunga Chola-II states that, he crowned in “Thilla temple. The “Thirugokarnam” inscription of Kulotunga Chola-I states, that the “Thillai Bramins” crown to chola kings. The noted poet of 12th century A.D, the “Sekkilar” clearly specify in the “Kuttuvanayanar episode” that, the “Thillai Bramins” refused to crown to non-chola king and said “We crown only to Chola’s clan and not to any other" (தில்லை வாழந் தணர்தம்மை வேண்ட அவரும் செம்பியர்தம் தொல்லை நீடுங் குலமுதலோர்க் கன்றிச் சூட்டோம் முடி).
The family deity God (Kuladeivam) of imperial Cholas is Chidambaram Natarajar. That is why the Chola King Parantaka made a roof with five tons of pure Gold. Crowning ceremony performed in Nataraja temple to the Pichavaram Zamindars, who supercedes the heiarchy as next Chola king. Those days the Kings were considered as equivalent to God and the Pattabishekam had been conducted in the sanctum sanctorum of Nataraja temple (i.e) Panchachara Padi. The Chief Priest used to wash the head of the king in Valampuri Sangu (a unique conch), which is used for God to perform abishekam. Then the priest perform mantram and then anoint with pattam in the forehead of the king in "Palm Leaf with Mantras" and garland with "Aathi Malai", the chola clans family garland. After pattabishekam, the crowning ceremony held at 1000 pillar mandapam, which is called as "Raja Sabai." The Chief Priest (they called as Thillai Dikshidhars) anoint the Crown to the Chola King at the appropriate time with the slogans, that the Chola King to long live and the country to flourish. After that, they handover the victorious Sword and their "Tiger Flag." The poets praise the Kings about the valours and prides. This custom and rituals clearly shows that the Pichavaram Zamindars are the descendants of imperial Cholas family and are very Pure Kshatriyas. It is the custom of Chola Kings to crown in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (Cholas family deity god) and that too, the Thillai Dikshidhars are only eligible to crown the Chola Kings and no other kings are not eligible for the same rights is clearly explained in "Kutruvanayanar episode" by the great poet "Sekhizhar" of 12th century A.D.
Names of the Pichavaram Zamindars, the imperial Cholas descendants, Crowned in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple in the 20th century :
(a) Maha Raja Raja Sri Samidurai Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1908 A.D).
(b) Maha Raja Raja Sri Thillai Kannu Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1911 A.D)
(c) Maha Raja Raja Sri Andiyappa Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1943 A.D)
(d) Maha Raja Raja Sri Chidambaranatha Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1978 A.D).
His elder son yet to crown, since they are now in low economic conditions. The big Chidambaram Natarajar temple belongs to the property of Pichavaram Zamindars. The temple priest daily used to close the temple and handover the key to the Palace of Pichavaram (nine km from Chidambaram town), through palanquin bearers. In the early morning King used to handover the key to temple priest through palanquin bearers. If any problem arose among the temple priest, the Pichavaram King used to come and solve the problem by sitting in "perambalam". The "Chola Mandagapadi" still conducted by the Pichavaram Chola King twice in a year at the sanctum Sanctorum in the dais of "Surya Chandra Mandapam". This practice existing from the times of the great Kulotunga Chola-1. The Pichavaram Royal Family conducts the marriage alliance at par with the Vanniya Kula Kshatriyas Royal Families such as "Udaiyar Palayam Zamindars", "Ariyalur Zamindars", "Mugasaparur Poligars" (Virudachalam Area. They are the descendants of "Kadavas"), "Vadakal Poligars" (Sirkali), "Mayavaram Poligars", "Kadalangudi Poligars" (near Kumbakonam) ect.
-----x-----x-----x-----
thanks:N.Murali Naicker
The fort is totally damaged and few ramparts are scattered in the marooned area. Most of the Learned Scholars are in the opinion that the Pichavaram cholas are the descendants of imperial cholas. However, the lack of evidence for 14th and 15th century A.D. In order to bridge the gap for the lack period, I have tried through several sources and prayed God to render evidence for the lack period. The God has fulfilled my pray. Now, I have discovered an unshakable evidence proving the Pichavaram cholas are the descendant of imperial cholas. The evidence is from Sanskrit and that too, the “Thilla Dikshidars” certified that, the Pichavaram cholas are chola kings.
The details of the evidence : The “Parthavana Mahatmayam” and “Rajendrapura Mahatmayam”. Both the mahatmayams have been published by Madras Sanskrit College/K.S.R. Institute, Mylapore, Chennai – 06. The mahatmayams are in Sanskrit and its about “Umapathi Sivacharya”, one among the “Thillai Dikshidars” of 14th century A.D. The mahatmayams mentions “Chola king named Vira Varma Chola of Pichapuram” is significant in history.
In Parthavana Mahatmayam : “A lady reported to the chola king named Vira Varman, who ruled the Pichapuram.” (அவள் பிச்சபுரமென்னும் ஸமீபஸ்தலத்தில் அந்நாள் அரசுபுரிந்திருந்த வீரவர்மா என்னும் சோழனிடத்திற்போய் முறையிட்டாள்).
In Parthavana Mahatmayam : “Umapathy Sivacharyar went to Vira Varma Chola and asked for a land grant to a lady. The king donated the land and went to Pichapuram.” (ஆசார்யரும் வீரவர்மசோழனைப் பார்த்து இவளது ஜீவனத்தின்பொருட்டு நிலங்களை மானியமாக விட்டுக்கொடுக்கக்கடவாய் என்று ஆஞ்ஞாபிக்க அரசனும் அங்ஙனம் செய்வேன் என்று ஆசார்யரை வணங்கி அனுமதி பெற்றுக்கொண்டு பிச்சபுரம்போய்ச் சேர்ந்தான்).
In Rajendrapura Mahatmayam : “Umapathy Sivacharyar went to south east of Chidambaram area the Rajendirapuram (alias) Kottrankudi and stayed along with his disciples in the madalayam constructed by Vira Varma Chola.” (உமாபதிசிவாசார்யர் சிதம்பரத்தின் தென்கீழ்த்திசையதாகிய ராஜேந்திரபுரம் என்னும் கொற்றங்குடியில் தம்பொருட்டு வீரவர்மசோழனால் கட்டப்பட்ட மடாலயத்தில் சீடர்களோடு வசித்தார்).
In the preface of the book “Sri Umapati Sivacarya / His Life, Works and Contribution to Saivism”, the K.S.R. Institute adviser S.S. Janaki has stated the following :
“As is usual with great religious teachers and philosophical leaders there is no authentic history about the personal, religious and literary life of Umapathy Sivacharya except some scattered information. His traditional biography is found in Sanskrit at some detail in the two texts, Parthavana Mahatmya or Korravangudi Purana in 240 verses as found in Chidambarasara and in the form of a dialouge between Brahmanan dayati and Sankaracarya and Rajendrapura (Tillai) – Mahatmya or Umapati Vijaya in 108 verses by Tillai Sivananda Diksita. Both Rajendrapura and Parthavana are identical with the place Kottrangudi, the modern Kottangudi, east of the Chidambaram Railway station.
The two puranic accounts glorify Umapathi Sivacharya as having performed or participated in some miraculous deeds at Chidambaram and its vicinity. The two puranas were published in Grantha Script with summaries in Tamil in the introduction to the Chidambaram edition of the Pauskara Agama with the bhasya of Umapathi Sivacharya. They were edited from mss. secured from “Bhrama Sri Somayaji Appaswami Diksita” and Bhrama Sri Somayaji Rajaratna Diksita at Chidambaram.”
The above mentioned facts clearly shows that the Pichavaram cholas are the descendants of imperial cholas. Without knowing the fact , some people spread the irrelevant message, stating that, the Pichavaram Zamindar is a “Pannaiar”. In what way, a pannaiar allowed in the world class Thillai Nataraja temple to crown as a Chola King. In the Indian history, no Zamindar/Panniar performed with crowning ceremony except few Royal Families. Thillai Natarajar is the family deity God (Kuladeivam) of imperial cholas and that is why the, Thillai Dikshidars” crown to the Pichavaram cholas. It is the custom/rituals to crown in the Nataraja temple by chola clans. From the times of later cholas, the “Thillai Bramins” used to crown to the chola clans. Others (which includes other kings) are not entitled for the same rights. The “Thirumanikuzhi” inscription of Kulotunga Chola-II states that, he crowned in “Thilla temple. The “Thirugokarnam” inscription of Kulotunga Chola-I states, that the “Thillai Bramins” crown to chola kings. The noted poet of 12th century A.D, the “Sekkilar” clearly specify in the “Kuttuvanayanar episode” that, the “Thillai Bramins” refused to crown to non-chola king and said “We crown only to Chola’s clan and not to any other" (தில்லை வாழந் தணர்தம்மை வேண்ட அவரும் செம்பியர்தம் தொல்லை நீடுங் குலமுதலோர்க் கன்றிச் சூட்டோம் முடி).
The family deity God (Kuladeivam) of imperial Cholas is Chidambaram Natarajar. That is why the Chola King Parantaka made a roof with five tons of pure Gold. Crowning ceremony performed in Nataraja temple to the Pichavaram Zamindars, who supercedes the heiarchy as next Chola king. Those days the Kings were considered as equivalent to God and the Pattabishekam had been conducted in the sanctum sanctorum of Nataraja temple (i.e) Panchachara Padi. The Chief Priest used to wash the head of the king in Valampuri Sangu (a unique conch), which is used for God to perform abishekam. Then the priest perform mantram and then anoint with pattam in the forehead of the king in "Palm Leaf with Mantras" and garland with "Aathi Malai", the chola clans family garland. After pattabishekam, the crowning ceremony held at 1000 pillar mandapam, which is called as "Raja Sabai." The Chief Priest (they called as Thillai Dikshidhars) anoint the Crown to the Chola King at the appropriate time with the slogans, that the Chola King to long live and the country to flourish. After that, they handover the victorious Sword and their "Tiger Flag." The poets praise the Kings about the valours and prides. This custom and rituals clearly shows that the Pichavaram Zamindars are the descendants of imperial Cholas family and are very Pure Kshatriyas. It is the custom of Chola Kings to crown in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (Cholas family deity god) and that too, the Thillai Dikshidhars are only eligible to crown the Chola Kings and no other kings are not eligible for the same rights is clearly explained in "Kutruvanayanar episode" by the great poet "Sekhizhar" of 12th century A.D.
Names of the Pichavaram Zamindars, the imperial Cholas descendants, Crowned in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple in the 20th century :
(a) Maha Raja Raja Sri Samidurai Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1908 A.D).
(b) Maha Raja Raja Sri Thillai Kannu Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1911 A.D)
(c) Maha Raja Raja Sri Andiyappa Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1943 A.D)
(d) Maha Raja Raja Sri Chidambaranatha Surappa Chola (Crowned in 1978 A.D).
His elder son yet to crown, since they are now in low economic conditions. The big Chidambaram Natarajar temple belongs to the property of Pichavaram Zamindars. The temple priest daily used to close the temple and handover the key to the Palace of Pichavaram (nine km from Chidambaram town), through palanquin bearers. In the early morning King used to handover the key to temple priest through palanquin bearers. If any problem arose among the temple priest, the Pichavaram King used to come and solve the problem by sitting in "perambalam". The "Chola Mandagapadi" still conducted by the Pichavaram Chola King twice in a year at the sanctum Sanctorum in the dais of "Surya Chandra Mandapam". This practice existing from the times of the great Kulotunga Chola-1. The Pichavaram Royal Family conducts the marriage alliance at par with the Vanniya Kula Kshatriyas Royal Families such as "Udaiyar Palayam Zamindars", "Ariyalur Zamindars", "Mugasaparur Poligars" (Virudachalam Area. They are the descendants of "Kadavas"), "Vadakal Poligars" (Sirkali), "Mayavaram Poligars", "Kadalangudi Poligars" (near Kumbakonam) ect.
-----x-----x-----x-----
thanks:N.Murali Naicker
