Pazhayarai

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Pazhayarai
Palayaru
Chola
capitals
History
PeriodsMedieval Cholas

Pazhayarai or Pazhaiyarai or Palayarai (Tamil: பழையாறை paḻaiyāṟai) was an ancient capital of the medieval Chola dynasty in Tamil Nadu. The place is located around 7 km (4.3 mi) from Kumbakonam, a city in Thanjavur district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of T.Patnam river, one of the distributaries of the river Kaveri. There are a number of villages within the area of historic Pazhaiyarai. The place was called Ayiratalli, meaning a land of thousand temples. The place is referred under various names like Ayiratalli, Pazhayar, Ahavamallakulakalapuram and Minavanaivenkadasolapuram.

The place was originally under the rule of Muttaraiyars, the feudatories of

Thirunandipura Vinnagaram and Sakthivanesvara Temple
.

Geography and etymology

Image of Nathan Kovil after which the region is named

The historical village Pazhayarai is located around 7 km (4.3 mi) from

Sathi mutram, Patteeswaram with all their temples. There were four legendary temples, Vadathali, Kelthali, Metrali and Thenthali across four sides of the city. The houses(veedu) of the warriors namely Aru padai veedu, Pudhu padai Veedu, Manapadai Veedu and Pambai padai veedu.It is located on the banks of T.Patnam river, one of the distributaries of the river Kaveri.[1]

Pazhayarai was originally called Ayiratalli, meaning the land of thousand temples. Western scholars attribute different names to the place like Ariyatalli, Mudikondacholapuram and Palaiyaru. The first literary mention of Pazhayarai is found in the 7th century

Kulothunga I (1070–1120) named it Minavanaivenkadasolapuram.[2]

History

The city was originally an important city during the rule of

Buddha statues were also found in archeological excavations, indicating that Buddhism has flourished in the region.[6]

Temples

Temples in Pazhayarai

Padal petra stalam. The Hindu god Shiva is believed to have appeared as a column of fire. His consort, Parvati, unable to bear the heat, embraced Shiva, lending the name Sakthimutram (Shakti (Parvati) embracing Shiva) to the Sakthivanesvara Temple.[8]

Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.[10] Pazhayarai Metrali, Panchavan Madheeswaram, Brahmanandeeswaram, Darasuram temple, Brahmapureeswarar temple at Keezhakorkai are other temples in the region.[11]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 8176254274
    .
  2. ^
    JSTOR 44137053
    – via JSTOR.
  3. JSTOR 44211361
    . Retrieved 27 June 2021 – via JSTOR.
  4. ^ "Quarterly Research Journal of the Tamil University". Quarterly Research Journal of the Tamil University. 5 (1–2). Tañcai Tamiḻp Palkalaik Kaḻakam: 119. 1987.
  5. ^ K. R., Subramanian (2002). Origin of Saivism and Its History in the Tamil Land. p. 37.
  6. ^ "Buddha statue found at Keezha Pazhayarai, The Hindu". 4 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  7. ^ R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 510–1.
  8. ^ V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 27.
  9. ISBN 9781351547000
    .
  10. ^ "Great Living Chola Temples". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  11. ISBN 9781645876250
    .
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