Poomputhar
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Poompuhar in Sirkali Taluk of Nagai district is also known as Kaveripoompattinam. Tourists have to alight at Mayiladuthurai railway junction, to proceed to Poompuhar by road, Visitors from Chennai by train have to get down at Sirkali. Poompuhar is connected to Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkali. by road. The distance from Poompuhar to Mayiladuthurai is 24 Kms. and to Sirkali, 21 Kms.
Tourists from Chennai to Poompuhar by private carriers can take the route via Tindivanam,
Pondicherry, Cuddalore and Sirkali. Those who come from Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli may proceed via Melur, Tiruppathur, Karaikudi, Tharangampadi and Akkur. They can also come via Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, and Mayiladuthurai.
Historical Importance of Poompuhar.
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Among the dynamic rulers Cheras, Cholas, Pandiyas, who ruled over Tamilnadu since the time before the Christ, the Cholas who held a place of esteem had this ancient town as their port capital. Puhar means the estuary .
The Port town of Kaveripoompattinam has been mentioned in the temple inscriptions, ancient literature and travelogues by different names like Kaganthi, Sampapathi, Palarpukaz Moothur, Mannagathu Vanpathi, Cholapattinam, Kaberis Emporium, and Kolappattinam.
There are frequent references to the important port town in ancient Tamil literature like Akananooru, Purananooru, Pattinappalai, Devaram, Thirutthondarpuranam and Nandhikkalampagam. Ancient Pali literature like Milindapan, Puttha Jathakakathaikal Abithamma Avathar and Puthavamsagatha, Travelogues of Periplus, and Merris Erithroy contain the references to this ancient town. Ptolemy and Plini also mention Poompuhar in their writings.
Somaya a Buddha Pikkuni from Poompuhar donated one of the beautifully sculptured pillars erected by Sunga-Kings of North India during the second century B.C. The Pillars carry the inscription 'Kaganthia Somaya Pikkunia Thanam'. (Pillar donated by Somaya Pikkuni of Poompuhar) Buddhism flourished in Poompuhar two thousands years ago.
Details of Poompuhar have been read in the Brahmi-inscription dating back to the second century B.C.in 'Barkuth' of north India. The historical details of Poompuhar have also been found in the inscriptions of Sayavanam Temple at Poompuhar.
The ancient Kings like Sembiyan, Musugundam, Manuneethi Cholan and Karikal Cholan who carried myths with them, added to the glory of Poompuhar town. Poompuhar grew into a great city during the reign of Karikal Cholan. He conquered the territories up to the Himalayas and made a pass into China through the Himalayas. On his return Karikal Cholan brought back the monuments and gifts like Korrappanda, presented by the Vajraking, the Pattimandabam by the Magatha King and the Thoranavayil by the Avanthi King who were defeated by Karikal Cholan and exhibited them at Poompuhar.
Indiravizha was clebrated during the period of Thodithol Chempian. Inscriptions at Thiruvengadu make a mention of grand festival of Indra, during the later Chola's times. Even after Sangam Chola's period Poompuhar occupied a significant place during the regime of Kalabras. After the Kalabras in the 6th century A.D., Poompuhar came under the Pallava regime and during that time Pallavaneeswaran temple was built by them. The great Saiva Saints Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar have sanctified the temples with their holy hymns.
With the rise of later Cholas in 850 A.D. the city regained its past glory. It is mentioned as "Rajathiraja Valanaattu Nangoor Naattu Kaveripoompattinam" in the Sayavanam temple inscription of Vikrama Cholan in the same temple, calls the town "Puhar Nagaram". Later Kopperunchingan also contributed to the grandeur of the place.
THE STRUCTURE OF POOMPUHAR CITY 2000 - Years Ago:
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The town structure of Poompuhar can be traced from the fifth chapter of Silappathikaram, Pattinappalai. Manimegalai also describe the same. The city is said to have been designed on the lines of Mayan's architecture. The town was divided into well marked divisions as Pattinappakkam and Maruvurppakkam by the market place in the middle known as Nalangadi in the day and Allangadi by night. The Sea-shore was inhabited by the fisher folk. It was also used as warehouses, people of different occupations like weavers, silk merchants, sweet vendors, fish and meat sellers, potters, grain merchants and diamond makers lived in Maruvurppakkam. Kings and Nobles, rich traders and farmers, physicians, and astrologers, army people of four wings of the King's force, Court dancers occupied Pattinappakkam. The five Manrams of Vellidai Manram, Elanchi Manram, Nedankal manram, Poothachathukkam and Pavaimanram were located in Pattinappakkam.
Gardens like Elavanthikaicholai, Uyyanam, Chanpathivanam, Uvavanam, and Kaveravanam added beauty to the town.
Temples for Supreme God Siva, and Chathukkappootham the last of the deities were found in the city. There are temples for siva, Indra, his elephant Iravatham, and his Vajrayutham, Balaraman, Suriyan, Machatham, Chandran, Arugan and Thirumal. Buddha Sthupas (Pillars) and Seven Buddha Viharas were also found. Apart from these, temple for Champapathi Amman, Brick idols, and UlagaAravi Manram existed in Poompuhar.
Cool and shady river banks with dense trees, sacred passages from temples to the river for Gods to come and take bath, and the ring wells on the fringes of the town were salient features of the town planning. The town had a compound wall and it's pages were engraved with tiger Emblem..
The town also had different market places and living area for foreigners like Yavanas.
EXCAVATION OF POOMPUHAR
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Excavation work on Poompuhar city has been in progress since 1910. The excavation conducted by Indian Archaeological Department has revealed the existence of several ring-wells (Urai Kinaru) near the sea-shore. The Sangam literature Pattinappalai tells of these wells.
The excavation has also been taken up near Champapathi Amman and Pallavaneswaram temples. The remains of the various buildings have been found by the excavation in 1960-1961. Remains of a brick building and a boat-jetty were discovered at Keezhaiyur area in Poompuhar. A water reservoir, and the remains of several buildings were found. Relics of a sixty feet long Buddha Vihar with rectangular rooms were discovered at Pallavaneswaram. The feet of Lord Buddha (Buddhapada) in Marble (Limestone slab) was unearthed. This Buddha pada longin long limestone resembles the marble feet got from Amaravathi, and Nagar junakonda Buddhist sites in Andhra pradesh. This Buddhapadam of the size 3 1/2' x 2 1/2' has two feet and holy symbols like the lotus flowers, Poorna-Kumbam and Swastikam. Several kinds of brick figures and copper coins were also found. These coins were of both rectangular and circular shapes. The Chola emblems of the tiger with up right tail and the sun were engraved on them. These coins are considered to be those of Karikal Cholan
A coin with Karpagatharu (Divine tree capable of giving anything) engraving was unearthed. In Vellaiyan Iruppu area an ancient Roman copper coin was dug out. Copper coins with the inscription of Rajarajan were also found during the excavation.
Copper idol of Buddha in meditation and green beads, shells, and glass bangles were the other items excavated. A gold coated copper statue of Buddha in meditation posture (Bothi Sathuva Mythreya) was found at Melaiyur in 1927. It belongs to the 8th century.
Recently Tamilnadu Archaeological Department has discovered the remains of several buildings. The National Institute of Oceanography,Goa and the Archaeological Department of Tamilnadu Government have undertaken off shore exploration of Poompuhar.
POOMPUHAR AGAIN.
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After the Sangam Chola period a major part of Poompuhar town was swallowed by the Bay of Bengal. Though Poompuhar became a prey of times, still a few small villages remain a silent witness to the cruelty of times.
Thirusaikadu (Sayavanam), Pallavaneeswaram, Melapperumpallam, Keelaperumpallam, Keezaiyur and Vanagiri are mortal remains of ancient Poompuhar. The Tamilnadu Government has taken steps to reproduce the glory of thus submerged and scattered ancient town on the basis of historical evidences and literary references. In 1973 Kalaingnar Dr. M. Karunanithi,the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, gave a crystal form to the lost town, by reproducing it on the basis of the literary evidences. Several symbolic monuments were raised. Sillappathikara Art Gallery, Ilanji Manram, Pavaimanram, Nedungal manram and Kotrappandal found their existence, and remain today to attract visitors, with their artistic splendour.
Sillappathikara Art Gallery.
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A beautiful seven- tire building of great sculptural value has been built as Sillappathikara Art Gallery. The first storey is 12" high, and each storey above it has a height of 5' . The topmost part which has 'Kalasams with a height of 8'. The total height of Art gallery is 50'.
The 'Magara Thoranavayil' at the entrance of the Art Gallery imparts an imposing and beautiful look to the whole structure. Its height is 22='. It has been designed on the pattern of Magara Thorana Vayil, found in Suruli Malai Mangala Devi Koil. There is also an anklet shaped tank in the Art-Gallery. On this side of this tank are installed the statues of Kannagi (9=') and Mathavi (8=')
Scenes from Sillappathikaram, the Epic of the land have been given lively shapes in stones on the walls of the Gallery. These sculptures carved by the sculptors of Mamallapuram Art College remain the treasure house of Tamil Culture.
Temples around Poompuhar
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Thirusaikkadu (Sayavanam)
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It is situated 2 Kms away form Poompuhar estuary. The Temple is for Thirusayavaneswarar and Iraivi Kuyilinam Nanmozhi Ammai. This temple has been praised by Nayanmars in their hymns. Chola inscriptions are found in the temple.
Thiruppallavaneeswaram (Poompuhar)
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This is an ancient and very beautiful temple. Iyarppakai Nayanar and Pattinatthar were born here. The hero and heroine of Sillappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi were also born here. This temple was praised by the Saivaite-saint Thirugnanasambandar.
Melapperumpallam and Keezhapperumpallam
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These two Thalams are situated very near Poompuhar and Thiruvengadu. The Valampuranathar temple at Melapperumpallam has Chola inscriptions. It is noted for the famous Nayanmar's hymns. Keezhapperunpallam is at distance of 2 Kms form Poompuhar. It is the temple where the famous "Kethu" has a separate thalam.