The great significance of Kodungallur of Kerala

[virarajendra]

(6) The Rivers flowing in the close vicinity of Kodungallur of Kerala (Chera)

Among all the rivers flowing across Kerala, the longest river is the present Periyar river, flowing in to the Kodungallur Lagoon (Lagoon - a lake fed by sea water). The present Periyar of Kerala was originally known as the Periyaaru meaning the big river (in Tamil). However it's original name was not merely Periyaaru, but was known as the "Chulliyam Periyaaru" of Cheras.

We see many references to different rivers in India with such name combinations namely as Gangai Periyaaru, Kaviri Periyaaru, Pennai Periyaaru, Vaikai Periyaaru etc. Hence from the foregoing it is clear the Periyaaru has been used in the sense of "Periya Aaru" (in Tamil) meaning the big River, with their actual names prefixed to the term Periyaaru. Hence it is clear that "Chulliyam" was the original name of the Periyaaru of Kerala, which the poet states belonged to the Chera kings (Cheralar).

Also there is another river named Pullut Phuza (Pullut River) which flows from the north of Kerala passing adjacent to the present Kodungallur region - the former Vanchi nagar, and then turns around this region to the west and falls into the same Kodungallur Lagoon. The Pullut Phuza (Phuza in Malayalam = River) was the former Aan Porunai River(in Tamil) mentioned in many Tamil Literary works of the early period, and positively confirmed by Silappathikaaram as surrounding the Vanji Nagar of Cheras, and is of much importance in the study of Kerala (Chera) history.

There is the third river named Chalakkudi which joins with Periyar near present Chowkakadavu and then falls into the Kodungallur Lagoon. From the Kodungallur Lagoon the confluence of these three rivers falls into the nearby sea at the present Alikode (Aalikkodu), the former region of the famed seaport city of Musiri.

The above are confirmed by the following References:

In Ahananooru the rivers Chulliyam, Kaviri, Pennai of South India, and Ganga of North India are referred to as Periyaaru.

"....Cheralar Chulliam Periyaartru vennurai kalanga........................................... ............valam elu Musiri"

Ahananooru - chapter 7, verse 149

“…..Kadatkarai melikkum Kaviri Periyaaru….:”

Ahananooru - verse 126

“……kadum punal malintha Kaviri Periyaatru……”

Ahanaanooru – verse 62

“…..Pennai am Periyaartru……”

Ahanaanooru – verse 35

In Silappathikaaram the rivers Vaihai of south India, and Ganga of north India are referred to as Periyaaru

“…..Vaihai Periyaaru valamsuranthu ootalum….”

Silappathikaaram, Katturai Kaathai, line 208

“……kadun punal Gangai Periyaatru ventroi……”

Silappathikaaram, Nadukal Kaathai, line 121

".......vaali varu punal neer Aan Porunai sool
tharum Vanjiyar komaan than thol kulame...."

Silappathikaarem – Vaalthukaathai – 14


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