A Road trip to the heart & soil of Ponniyin Selvan!!

Ponniyin Selvan is a world renowned Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy about Chozha dynasty in the 10th century. It was published in 1950s as a series and later got compiled into a manuscript consisting 5 volumes. The story revolves around the conspiracies against then ruling King Sundara Chozha and his 3 children – Aditya Karikalan, Kundavai and Arulmozhi varman (Raja Raja Chozha). Vandhiyathevan, a charming young man who sets out to the Chozha land to deliver a message to the King and the prince also plays a major role. It has multiple other interesting characters as well. The story travels along most parts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. This blog would help in planning an itinerary to explore these historical and archeological places (across Tamil Nadu) mentioned in the story.
Note: Places ONLY with possible image reference are added below.

SPOT 1:

VEERANAM LAKE – Kaatumanar koil, Cuddalore
235 KMS FROM CHENNAI

1. Built by Rajadithya Chozha.
2. One of the water reservoirs from where water is supplied to Chennai.
3. Gets water from Kollidam.
4. Chozha princess Kundavai used to come here for refreshment at the banks of Veeranam lake during spring season.

SPOT 2:

VEERANARAYAR PERUMAL TEMPLE – Kaatumanar koil, Cuddalore

5.7 KMS FROM VEERANAM LAKE

1. Temple with a tank (veeranam tank) which is 1000+ years old & constructed by Parandhaga Chozha (Rajadhithar’s son).
2. It’s the Vinagara Kovil (as described in the novel, Vandhiyathevan travels along with Alwarkadiyan to the Veera Narayana Perumal temple).

SPOT 3:

AMIRTHAKADESWARAR TEMPLE (KARAI KOIL) – Mela Kadambur, Cuddalore

6 KMS FROM KAATUMANNAR KOIL

1. Built by Kulothanga Chozha I
2. The name of the temple is derived from the words Amirtha meaning nectar, Kada meaning pot and Eeswara meaning Lord Shiva.
3. It is classified as karai koil, a temple resembling the shape of a chariot used during temple festivals

SPOT 4:

RUDRAPATHI KOIL – Keezha Kadambur, Cuddalore
1.5 KMS FROM MELA KADAMBUR

1. It’s a Shivan kovil near Kadambur Palace
2. It is here Aditya Karikalan and Vandhiyathevan used to meet to secretly exchange messages

There’s a tunnel which runs directly from the earlier Chozha palace to GANGAI KONDA CHOZHAPURAM (was used as an emergency escape route)

SPOT 5:

KADAMBUR PALACE – Cuddalore
NEAR THE ABOVE 2 TEMPLES OF KADAMBUR

1. The secret gathering of the conspirators and the infamous assassination of Aditya Karikalan happened here.
2. The place is completely in ruins now.
3. This was Sambuvarayar’s palace (MAALIGAI MEDU)

SPOT 6:

GANGAI KONDA CHOZHAPURAM – Jayamkondan, Ariyalur
12 KMS FROM MELA KADAMBUR

1. Gangai konda Chozhapuram is not part of Ponniyin Selvan, but Raja Raja Chozhan’s (the main character of the book) son, Rajendra Chozhan had constructed it.

SPOT 7:

KEEZHAIYUR IRATTAI KOIL – Pazhuvur, Ariyalur

163 KMS FROM GANGAI KONDA CHOZHAPURAM

2. Nandhini – the queen of Pazhuvur and her husband (as per the book), Pazhuvettarayar – the ruler lived here.
3. Kovil has sculptures of Nandhi, the naughty Boodhakaris in varied poses, warriors fighting inside a dragon’s mouth, creatures of fantasy and mythology like the Yaali (a mix of lion, elephant, horse)

SPOT 8:

RAJA RAJA CHOZHAN MAUSOLEUM – Udaiyalur, Thanjavur

206 KMS FROM PAZHUVUR

1. The tomb of the great Raja Raja Chozhan – the mesmerising Arulmozhi Varman.
2. A linga is placed above the tomb (and is referred as Pallipadai).

SPOT 9:

PAALKULATHI AMMAN TEMPLE – Udaiyalur, Thanjavur

NEAR BY THE MAUSOLEUM

1. Kalvettu (epigraph) announcing the death of Arul mozhi varman in pillar entrance of this temple.

SPOT 10:

SOMESHWARAR TEMPLE – Keezha pazhayarai, Kumbakonam
3.5 KMS FROM UDAIYALUR

2. Built by Aditya Chozha-I
3. Vandhiyathevan comes to the town on Sri Krishna Jayanthi day and manages to get quite an entry along with the “Koothu” performers.

SPOT 11:

AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE – Kudambur AKA Kumbakonam

6.6 KMS FROM PAZHAYARAI

This location is also believed to be the spot where Lord Yama prayed to the prime deity to get rid of a burning sensation all over his body which he was cursed.

The below are musical steps that produce all the seven ‘swaras’ (notes) of music when tapped on different points of the steps.

SPOT 12:

BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE (BIG TEMPLE), Thanjavur
39 KMS FROM KUMBAKONAM

1. Built by Arulmozhi Varman – Biggest and beautiful temple with mysteries.
2. There is a locked-up sannadhi (designated place) for Yama, the god of death. This is kept private.

SPOT 13:

Soodamani buddha viharam – Public Office Rd, Melakottaivasal, VOC Nagar, Nagapattinam
93 KMS FROM THANJAVUR

1. This is the vihar where Arulmozhi Varman stayed with budha bishus before cylone & got treated for his fever.

SPOT 14:

KODIYAKKARAI (POINT CALIMER)
59 KMS FROM NAGAPATTINAM

1. Arulmozhi varman, Vandhiyathevan and others left for Eezha Naadu (now Sri Lanka). It is the place where Poonguzhali lived with her hallucinations and sang those wonderful songs

OTHERS :

KODUMBALUR – Pudukottai

The place where Vanathi lived. Moovar kovil is a famous temple in kodumbalur.

MOOVAR KOVIL

THIRUNAVALUR – Villupuram

Sundara Chozhan was born here.

Happy reading!

AUDIO PODCAST OF PONNIYIN SELVAN By Kavitha Jeeva – https://ivmpodcasts.com/kadhaipodcasts-ponniyin-selvan

PONNIYIN SELVAN –FREE PDF IN ENGLISH – https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0278_01.pdf

PONNIYIN SELVAN –FREE PDF IN TAMIL – http://book.ponniyinselvan.in/ponniyin-selvan.pdf

PONNIYIN SELVAN – 5 VOLUMES Available In AMAZON – https://www.amazon.in/Ponniyin-Selvan-5-Set-Kalki/dp/9382578382

Source refrences from other bloggers too ❤