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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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The SriVidya Connection of Madurai

Image result for madurai kadamba tree
Kadamba tree near West Gopuram of Meenakshi Temple
Picture Credit: S. James

In Hinduism, the worship of the Divine Mother Goddess is known as Saktham. Among the various schools in Saktham, one is known as SriVidya. 

In the SriVidya tradition, the supreme goddess is called Lalita TripuraSundari. She is also called Kameswari. In Kancheepuram, she is worshiped as Kamakshi.

The goddess Varaahi serves as her Chief Commander. Matangi is her Prime Minister. Together the trio of Lalita, Matangi and Varaahi represents Icha, Jnana and Kriya Sakthis.

In Madurai, the goddess Matangi is worshipped as Meenakshi. As Ngana Sakthi, she represents represents speech and wisdom. This is why she has a parrot. In Hinduism, parrot symbolizes speech. Matangi is also known as Shyamala or RajaShyamala. 

The word Shyamala refers to her dark green complexion like that of an emerald stone. Hence she is called as Marakatha Syama (marakatham = emerald). 

One of the many names of Matangi is Kadamba Vana Vaasini. This was mentioned in the famous song known as ShyamalaDandakam. It was written by Kalidasa. Kadamba Vana Vaasini means she who resides in the Kadamba forest. 

Matha marakatha shyama, Mathangi madha shalini,
Kuryath kadaksham kalyani, kadamba vana vasini,
Jaya Mathanga thanaye, Jaya Neelolpala dhyuthe,
Jaya Sangeetha rasike, Jaya Leela shuka priye
-Kalidasa's Shyamala Dandakam-

Madurai has many names. One of it is KadambaVanam because it used to be a large Kadamba forest. The entire Madurai city is the abode of the goddess Syamala. 

However, there are not many Kadamba trees left in today's Madurai. The SthalaVriksham (temple tree) of the Madurai Meenakshi temple is the Kadamba tree. It is believed that this tree was part of the original Kadamba forest before the forest was cleared to build the city over 2500 years ago. The tree is still there in the temple.

So when you go to Madurai, bow down to the beautiful Meenakshi and as you sit under her Kadamba tree, remember this article and the SriVidya connection of Madurai.

Image result for madurai meenakshi



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