Rajaraja Chola I ( 985 to 1015 CE) was an unequalled monarch who ruled the
entire Southern part of India over thousand years ago, whose greatness and glory
can still witnessed by the world by his magnum opus the Brahadeswara Temple in
Thanjavur. He was born Arunmozhivarman, the second son of the Parantaka Cholan
II alias Sundara Cholan and Vanavan Mahadevi. His brother the crown prince the
Valiant Aditha Karikalan was assasinated and there was a political instability
which followed this. Even as a youngster when all the people of the country
wanted to crown him as the ruler, he declined and relinquished his right and
requested his uncle to rule the mighty Chola kingdom to avoid any ill feelings
in the family and waited for fifteen years to become the monarch and ruled for
thirty years from 985 to 1015 which was the beginning of the golden age of
cholas. Its not an exaggeration to call RajaRaja Chola an all round genius
earning him the various titles which can be found in his inscriptions. He was
valiant warrior and a master strategist who built his empire by his might of his
army, navy and political treaties. He paid meticulous attention to the welfare
and comfort of his people. His local administration and civil administration
system was par excellence. Rajaraja built the Great temple of Thanjavur and
covered the two hundred feet high tower with gold to signal his contribution.
The temple survives to this day in its original grandeur. It is a magnificient
haven of architecture, sculpture and paintings. His rule demonstrates the
equality and liberty the chola women enjoyed. His sister Kundavai and queens
possessed property in their own names, which they donated to charity, temples
and infirmaries and issuing orders with equal validity as that of the Emperor.
Rajaraja was a staunch follower of Saivism but ensured religious tolerance and
patronized all religions Saivism, Vaishnavism, Saktam, Jainism and Buddhism
alike.
Raja Raja Cholan Samadhi
Place Udayalur in Kumbakonam
Distance : 7 km
From kumbakonam
Bus Route : Bus No 35 Only
Landmark: Near Seliamman Temple
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