Somanatha Swamy Temple, Keezh
Pazhayarai – History
The
city of Pazhayarai was one of the capital towns of
the Chola Empire. It consisted of present Patteeswaram, Muzhaiyur, Udaiyalur, Cholan Maligai, Thirusakthimutram, Darasuram and Ramanathan Koil. Pazhayarai is surrounded by the river Mudikondan on the
south and the river Thirumalairayan on the north. This town was also a capital for few years during later
Cholas. Sundara Chola, father of great Rajaraja Chola I ruled Chola
Dynasty from Pazhayarai.
Pazhayarai was called as Pazhayarai Nagar in the 7th
century, Nandipuram in the 8th century, Pazhayarai Nandipuram in the
9th and 10th centuries, Mudikonda Cholapuram in the 11th
century and Rajarajapuram in the 12th century. Pazhayarai housed four battle camps of the Cholas namely Aariyapadaiyur,
Pampapadaiyur, Manapadaiyur and Puthupadaiyur. Pazhayarai was considered as birthplace of Amaraneedi
Nayanar and Mangayarkkarasiyar, a saint amongst the 63 Nayanmars.
During Devaram times, Pazhayarai was divided into four major division namely; Pazhayarai Vadathali, Metrali, Keezhthali and Thenthali.
Thali means Temple in ancient Tamil. Kailasanathar Temple was situated in
Metrali, Dharmapureeswarar Temple in Vadathali, Somanathar Temple in Keezhthali and Parasunathaswamy Temple in Thenthali. Thenthali is called as Muzhaiyur now. Dharmapureeswarar Temple in Vadathali is the Padal Petra Sthalam and the other
three temples are Thevara Vaippu Sthalam.
Before Vijayalaya Chola could set up his capital in Thanjavur (850 B.C.) and lay the foundation for the
powerful Chola Empire that followed, the Chola kings were the chieftains in Pazhayarai. It was in this metropolis that Raja Rajan (985
– 1014) spent his childhood and where his sister Kundavai lived with her
husband. King Rajendran I (1012 – 1044) lived here before shifting his capital
to Gangai Konda Chola Puram.
The
temple is a part of the series of temples built
by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of
river Cauvery to commemorate his victory in the Thiruppurambiyam
battle. The
Temple was renovated by Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. As per the
paintings inside the
temple, it is mentioned that Rajaraja Chola was brought up in Pazhayarai
and he visited this
temple every day when he was at young age.
The temple got damaged and renovated by Government during 1962 and consecration ceremony was conducted on 6.6.1962. During the renovation four beautiful idols made up of five metals have been found. They were Sundarar, Thirugnana Sambanthar, Adipoora Amman and Ariya Nachiyar. Swamimalai Temple has undertaken the renovation work of this Temple recently. The recent consecration ceremony was conducted on 29th January 2016. This temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).