Udaiyalur (உடையாளூர் )
Udayalur is a village in the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur
district, Tamil Nadu, India. Udayalur is a few kilometers away from the
historic Chola dynasty stronghold town of Kizha Pazhayarai. The village was
historically called "Sri Kangeyapuram".
This village is the final resting place of the Great Chola
dynasty emperor Raja Raja Chola I, though it remains less known than the
temples he built far off.
Udaiyalur Kailasanathar Temple : The temple is almost 1000 years old and built by Rajaraja
Cholan. The village also has a name Sivapadasekaramangalam obtained from the
name Sivapadasekaran which is an alias of Rajarajan. It is believed the that
the samadhi of the great king is also located in the village. The village was
given as a gift by the king to one of his wives by name Ulagamuzhuthudayal and
the village was named Ulagamuzhuthudayalur which eventually became Udayalur.
Pazhayarai temples : The region of Patteeswaram, Thiru Sakthi Mutram, Muzhaiyur
was called Pazhayarai and was the ancient capital of Cholas before
Tanjore. Raja Raja Chola I was brought up here. Even after cholas moved their
capital to Tanjore, they lived here. There are 4 temples around Pazhayarai (Patteeswaram) in each directions. Vada
thali (North), Then thali (South), Keezh thali (East) and Mel thali
(West).
The palace of Cholas in CholarMalihai (Mailhai meaning
palace) village near Patteeswaram is in ruins and there is only a mud
mound now. Also, the samadhi of Raja Raja Chola is said to be in Udayalur
nearby in a private property without any big monument but there is also a
controversy about the authenticity of it.
How to Reach : Udayalur Village is located 32 KM towards
East from District head quarters Thanjavur. 6 KM from Kumbakonam.
