Jalanatheeswarar Temple, Thakkolam – History
The
history of Thakkolam is more interesting than the temple located in
this town. Rajaditya Chola was an army general and son of the Chola
king Parantaka Chola I. There were multiple invasions from Rashtrakutas under Krishna
III between 940 CE and 950 CE. To ward off such attacks, Rajaditya
stationed himself in Thakkolam. In 949 CE, the Cholas and the Rashtrakutas met
in Thakkolam battlefield. The Cheras supported the Cholas whereas the
Rashtrakutas got the support of the Ganga king Butuga II. In the battle,
the Chola prince was killed by Butuga.
It
ultimately resulted in the defeat of the Chola army in the battle and defeat of
this battle forced Cholas to expand their army and naval strength which went on
to become Asia’s biggest Kingdom in the history. It was constructed during the
regime of Pallava king Abarajitha Varman in 876 AD as a stone temple. The Rajagopuram
of the temple was, however, constructed later during the regime of Vijayanagara
King Veera Pradhaba Sadasiva Maharaya in 1543 AD. Periyapuranam refers to this
place as “Kalikai Maanagar”.
