Kalingarayan | |
---|---|
Chieftain of Kongu Nadu | |
Born | Lingaya Gounder 1240 CE |
Religion | Hinduism |
Kalingarayan was a chieftain who ruled in the Kongu Nadu region of the present day Western Tamil Nadu in 13th century CE. [1]
Kalingarayan was born as a Lingaya Gounder in the Kongu Gounder community in the western Tamil Nadu in 1240 CE. He independently ruled the Kongu Nadu region until it came under the influence of the Pandyas. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I annexed the Kongu Nadu region and Jatavarman Vira Pandyan II appointed Lingaya Gounder as a chieftain and granted him the title 'Kalingarayan'. [2]
Kalingarayan constructed a barrage on the Bhavani river and a 56.2-mile (90.5 km) long Kalingarayan canal to connect Bhavani river with Noyyal river. The project was one of the oldest irrigation projects in India and irrigates 15,743 acres (6,371 ha)s of agricultural land. [3] The project including construction of the dam and canal started in 1271 and was completed in 1283. [4]
In 2017, Government of Tamil Nadu planned to construct a memorial for Kalingarayan. [5] [6] In 2017, a memorial hall and statue of Kalingarayan was inaugurated by then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Palaniswami. [7] The 5th day of Tamil month of Thai is celebrated as 'Kalingarayar day' every year. [8]
Erode District is one of the 38 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It was the largest district by area in the state before the formation of Tirupur District in 2009. The headquarters of the district is Erode. It is divided into two revenue divisions, Erode and Gobichettipalayam, and is further subdivided into 10 taluks. Erode District was a part of Coimbatore District before its division into two on 17 September 1979. It covers an area of 5,722 square kilometres (2,209 sq mi), and as of 2011, had a population of 2,251,744.
The Pandyan dynasty, also referred to as the Pandyas of Madurai, was an ancient Tamil dynasty of South India, and among the four great kingdoms of Tamilakam, the other three being the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Cheras. Existing since at least the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE, the dynasty passed through two periods of imperial dominance, the 6th to 10th centuries CE, and under the 'Later Pandyas'. Under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I and Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I, the Pandyas ruled extensive territories including regions of present-day South India and northern Sri Lanka through vassal states subject to Madurai.
Erode, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the Kaveri river and is surrounded by the Western Ghats. Erode is the seventh largest urban agglomeration in Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative capital of Erode district and is administered by the Erode Municipal Corporation which was established in 2008.
Gobichettipalayam is a town and municipality in Erode district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Gobichettipalayam taluk. It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula at 213 metres (699 ft) above sea level, surrounded by Western Ghats. It is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the district headquarters Erode, 44 kilometres (27 mi) from Tiruppur and 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Coimbatore. Agriculture and textile industries contribute majorly to the economy of the town.
The Bhavani is an interstate Indian river which flows through Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India. It originates from the Western Ghats and is one among the three rivers of Kerala which flows in eastward direction.
Bhavani is a Municipality in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located at the northern periphery of Erode City Municipal Corporation and is around 105 km (65 mi) from Coimbatore and 60 km (37 mi) from Tiruppur and Salem. Bhavani is also known as "Carpet City" as it is known for its carpet industry; blankets and carpets manufactured in the town are known as Bhavani Jamakkalam. As of 2011, the town covers an area of 2.17 square kilometres (0.84 sq mi) and has a population of 39,225. It is a grade II municipality.
Jatavarman Sundara I, also known as Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan, was a emperor of the Pandyan dynasty who ruled regions of Tamilakkam, Northern Sri Lanka and Southern Andhra between 1250–1268 CE. He is remembered for his patronage of the arts and Dravidian architecture, along with refurbishment and decoration of many Kovils (temple) in the Tamil continent. He oversaw a massive economic growth of the Pandyan empire. On the eve of his death in 1268 CE, the second Pandyan empire's power and territorial extent had risen to its zenith till Nellore and Kadapa by defeating Telugu Chola rulers Vijaya Gandagopala, Manumasiddhi III of Nellore Cholas and Ganapatideva of Kakatiyas.
Kongu Nadu, also known as Kongu Mandalam, is a geographical region comprising the western part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and parts of southeastern Karnataka and eastern Kerala. The region covers an area of roughly 60,895 km2 (23,512 sq mi) with a population of over 27.4 million.
Dheeran Chinnamalai was a Palayakkarar and chieftain who ruled the Kongu Nadu region of the present day western Tamil Nadu. He fought against the British East India Company, was later captured and hanged by the British.
Kongu Vellalar is a community found in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu, India.
Dharapuram is a town situated along the banks of Amaravati River in Tiruppur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Dharapuram is one of the oldest towns in South India and was the capital of Kongu Nadu under the Cheras, Western Ganga Dynasty and later Kongu Cholas, at which time it was known as Viradapuram. Amaravathi River flows through the town. As of 2011, the town had a population of 67,007. The city houses famous temples including Agatheeswarar Temple, Kaadu Hanumanthasamy temple and many others.
Bhavanisagar Dam or Lower Bhavani Dam, is located in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. The dam is constructed on the Bhavani river. It is one of the world's largest earthen dams. The dam is situated some 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Sathyamangalam, is 17 km North of Punjai Puliampatti, is 35 km (22 mi) from Gobichettipalayam and is 36 km (22 mi) north-east to Mettupalayam.
Kalingarayan Canal is a 56.2-mile (90.5 km) long irrigation canal in the Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan. The canal's source is the Kalingarayan Anicut near Bhavani. The canal irrigates approximately 15,743 acres (6,371 ha) of agricultural land. The project including construction of the dam and canal started in 1271 and was completed in 1283.
Lower Bhavani Project Canal is a 201-kilometre (125 mi) long irrigation canal which runs in Erode district in Tamil Nadu, India. The canal is a valley-side contour canal, fed by Bhavanisagar Dam and irrigates 2.07 lakh hectares of land. The main canal feeds Thadapalli and Arakkankottai channels which irrigate the cultivable lands. The canal was the brainchild M.A Eswaran, member of the legislative assembly of the Erode constituency in the early 1950s.
T. M. Kaliyannan Gounder was an Indian politician who served as a member of the Provisional Parliament of India and as a member of the Legislative Assembly MLA, Member of the Legislative Council MLC of Tamil Nadu. He was the last surviving member of the first parliament of India and was one of the few surviving members of the first assembly of Tamil Nadu State. He played a crucial role in the development of Gandhi Ashram at Tiruchengode and in nurturing Gandhian values among the people of Tamil Nadu.
Edappadi Karuppa Palaniswami, often referred to by his initials E.P.S., is an Indian politician who is the current leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He served as the seventh chief minister of Tamil Nadu, from 2017 to 2021. He has been the General Secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) since 28 March 2023. Previously, Palaniswami has served as the interim general secretary (2022–23), joint co-ordinator (2017–22) and headquarters secretary (2016–22) of AIADMK.
Kodiveri Dam is a masonry dam located on the Bhavani river in Gobichettipalayam taluk, Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The dam is situated along the State Highway 15 about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Gobichettipalayam towards Sathyamangalam in the western region of the state.
Perumpallam Canal is an irrigation canal in the city of Erode in Tamil Nadu. The canal traverses from west to east across the city and flows into River Kaveri. It runs for a length of about 20 kilometres (12 mi).
Kalingarayan Anicut is a barrage on the Bhavani river in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. It is located before Kooduthurai where Bhavani meets with Kaveri in Bhavani, Erode.