TEMPLES BY CHERA DYNASTY

Chera dynasty, played a major part, in ruling Kerala and tamilnadu. Chozhas, Pandyas, alongwith, cheras, was called as, Tamilakam in south India. They come from, keralapol as clan, that ruling was a part, of their lineage, and country. Though how and from, where word “Chera”, was found from, is a mystery, but many say, Chera meant Cheral-declivity of mountain, slushy land, is another meaning. In Tamil, they were called as, cheralamdiru meaning- island of, Chera kings.

Sangam literature, calls cheras, pathitruppu that in this book, mention of rulers and heirs, from Chera family, are seen. Their rule starts, from 1st century CE, that irumporai cheras ruled for, 3 generations. There is a coinage, that was found in Amaravati bed, which showed, rule of cheras. During medieval time, their clan, had a decline, that slowly Pandyas took over the dynasty. During their rule, spice trade was very popular, and woodz crucible steeds was made and sold.

They followed Dravidian culture, that agriculture flourished a lot during their rule. Uthiyan Cheralathan was the first king of, Chera dynasty, that he was known as, Vanararamban, while Rama Varma Kulashekhara was the last ruler, of this dynasty. Their architecture was called as, Dravidian architecture, that their temples, are mostly octagonal, rectangular, that sandstones, granite are used to build. Their temples are divided into 4 parts-Vimana, Mandapas, gopurams and grabagriha.

THIRUVANCHIKULAM SIVA TEMPLE👆-Constructed in Kerala style, architecture it was built during Chera period, that Lord shiva was worshipped by, umadevi. This temple has its name, in paadal petra Sthalam, that sage sundara murthy Nayanar, ascended from heaven to this place. This temple comes, under archaelogical surgery of India, while it is one of the oldest, shiva temple of south India. The myth story is Lord shiva lived with his whole family, that sage Sundara murthy naayanar, to reach Kailash travelled on horse back, where the song Padhigam, that is written in this temple. This temple is open from, morning 4am to night 8pm. All Malayalam festivals, are celebrated, while pradosam, is grandly celebrated. This temple is located in, kodungallur, Thrissur district.

BHAGAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE👆- It is also known as, Devi Kanyakumari tamilnadu goddess, Sakthi. Located in Kanyakumari tamilnadu, Goddess Shree Baala, as she is called, she is also worshipped, as Bhadrakali Amman. This temple is one of the 52 Shakthi Peetam. The myth story is, Lord shiva didn’t keep his promise, to marry her, so out of upset, she turned into a demon. The belief is, back spine area of sati, fell here. This temple is open from, 6am to 8pm. Navarathri festival, kalabhan festival, Vaisakha festival is grandly celebrated here.

KALAMBAR KOIL👆- This temple is also known as, Kulittalai near Tiruchirapalli, as it is is considered as one among the 5 kadamba shrine. The myth story is that, Lord Brahma conducted, chariot festival, so the name, Bhramapuram was derived. Lord Vishnu prayed, to lord shiva to recover the, vedas from, Somasuran, so the name chaturvedapuri came. Also Lord shiva, is believed to have, vision of, Meenakshi sundareshwar, so their shrines are also, seen in this temple. This temple has songs, sung by Muthuswamy dheeksitar. Bhramotsavam, Thai Poosam, is grandly celebrated here. From any part, of Tamilnadu, Tiruchy city is easily accessible. This temple comes under, 274 paadal Petra sthalam.

PALLYIL TEMPLE👆- A 800 year old temple, located near Thrissur, that is about 8km away from, Guruvayur city. Pallybana perumal was the Chera prince of Kerala, that for many years, he did rule this city. This temple is dedicated to, Bhagavathi Goddess, located in Perinjanam, so the name Puliyil came. Goddess taradevi is also seen here, along with Buddhist shrine. During sangam age, this temple prevailed. From Kozhikode this place is easily accessible by road, while there are direct trains to Thrissur.

MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE- Located in Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam in Kerala, that it actually denotes, five ancient shrines, connected to mahabaratham. Each Pandava, has each temple built. This temple was built by, Sahadeva. It is one of the Divya kshetram, that King Rukmanuatha undertook vratham, while another story is, a temple servant was cursed here, that he turned into a stone. Kerala style architecture, prevail all over this place. A strange form of art, is displayed between the pond and eastern entrance called, kazhivetti Kallur. It is kept as a reminder, that king had bribed the caretaker, and got into the temple, that soon he fell ill and died. From, Cochin airport, this temple is easily reachable, while from, Kottayam, then are regular, buses to this place.

KURUMATHUR👆-Chera inscription is found, in kurumathur temple, near areekode, that was then ruled by, king Mahodayapura. It is a granite slab, in Pallava grantha script which shows, the praise and glory of, Lord Rama. Not much is know, a soul this temple, but kurumathur is a village, that is surrounded by kannur, Talaparamba and Trivandrum. There are buses to this place from Trivandrum, valapattnam river flows all over this place,while traditional art, Theyyam is seen here. A small beautiful village, with popular, Chera dynasty inscription.

Cheras formed a major part of ruling, in south India, that their strong link with romans, allowed them to grade, spices, ivory and sandal. Thiruvanchikulam was their capital, that history says, they ruled fast, died fast. After 8th century AD, chera kings were not seen. Silapathikaram, was written during their regime that, Tamil poets, paranar, Kongar, prevailed during their era. Their rule was called as, glorious period of south India, that, be during their first rule, or be during their second rule, lot of flourish,spread of happiness was seen.