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Chola Warlords: Who Were the Paluvettaraiyars?

Ponniyin Selvan I movie poster showing actor Sarathkumar as Periya Paluvettaraiyar and actor Parthiban as Chinna Paluvettaraiyar. In 2024, Oxford University Press published  Minor Majesties: The Paluvēṭṭaraiyars and Their South Indian Kingdom of Paluvūr, 9th–11th Centuries A.D ., a groundbreaking study by historian Valerie Gillet. In the book’s opening chapter, A Tentative Biography of the Paluvettaraiyars , Gillet delves into the lineage and origins of this influential fami ly.  These Chola warlords traced their lineage to the formidable Maravars, an ancient warrior tribe renowned for their valor. However, I believe that while the Paluvettaraiyars were indeed of Maravar descent, they likely forged alliances through intermarriage with those of the Kallar and Agambadiyar clans, further solidifying their power and influence. Prominent figures in the medieval Chola era, the Paluvettaraiyars played a pivotal role in shaping the empire’s political and military landscape. Through st...
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Bali Trip 2011 - Part 3

OKA Agriculture Bali
Bali is also famous for its coffee. Besides the ordinary coffee, there is a special coffee known as the Luwak coffee. The Balinese feed the civet cats a.k.a musang with coffee beans. These cats eat the bean and excrete it. On other words, they shit the beans out. It is then collected, cleaned and dried. The dried beans are then made into Luwak coffee drink.

The OKA Agriculture Bali also produce cocoas and other products. Take a look at the pictures.

Vasuge at the entrance
Wayan checking the coffee beans
Cocoa
Luwak coffee beans
Coffee beans
Coffee beans
Cocoa beans
Cinnamon, Vannila and Ginger
Roasting the coffee beans
Luwak coffee beans
A note on Luwak coffee
A worker preparing the drinks for us to taste
Different types of drinks. Bali coffee, Luwak, Cocoa, Ginger Tea, Lemon Grass Tea
Products for sale
Lemon Grass
Ginseng Plant
Soaps
Bali Coffee
Bali Cigars made from Bali Tobacco
Tock Ginger
Tamarilo







Kintamani
We had our lunch at Kintamani. The view was fantastic. Take a look at the pictures and see it for yourself.
Gunung Batur (Mount Batur) is actually an active volcano. The inner caldera is about 7.5 kilometer wide. It is dated to be about 23,670 to 28,500 years old.

There is also a lake. It is known as Danau Batur. It is Bali's largest lake and has an area of approximately 18 sq km. There is a village across the lake. It is known as Trunyan. This is where the Bali Aga people live. It is said that they bury their dead under the trees.

Mount Batur

Our lunch




Besakih
The Pura Besakih is the main temple in Bali. It is located on the slopes of Mount Agung, a volcano. This is also where the Eka Dasa Rudra festival is held once every 100 years.

 Mount Agung erupted in 1963, killing about 1,700 people. The high priestess at that time, Ida Pedanda Istri Mas who was also an offering maker, did her offering in Pura Besakih. She was adamant not to leave the temple leaving her fate to God. The lava flow missed the temple by few metres. Both the temple and Ida Pedanda were safe.

 Due to the volcanic eruption, the festival of Eka Dasa Rudra was postponed to 1979. It was a grand festival which was attended by the then President of Indonesia, Suharto.

 Ida Pedanda died peacefully at the age of 111 on 9 February 2012.
Pura Besakih consist of several temples. Here is the map.

The entrance


The inner shrine. Tourist are not allowed but with some money, you can make it in.

The statues on one side represents Ramayana and the other Mahabaratha. Not sure which is which.



Pictures of the Eka Dasa Rudra festival held in 1979.
Pictures of the Eka Dasa Rudra festival held in 1979.
One of the clan temples where only clan members are allowed to go in.




Surrounding villages
Surrounding villages
Surrounding villages
Click to read the final part, Part 4
http://sharmalanthevar.blogspot.com/2013/04/bali-trip-2011-part-4.html

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