About the empire
The Chera Dynasty was one of the three major Kingdoms of Tamilkam and ruled over the present-day state of Kerala and to a lesser extent, parts of Tamil Nadu in South India. The word Chera probably derived from Cheral, meaning declivity of a mountain in ancient Tamil. They were also known as ‘Keraputras’ and their kingdom was situated to the west and north of the Pandya kingdom. Here, we are giving the list of Chera Rulers and their contributions to general awareness. Cheras or Keralas of the Kongu country is known to have controlled western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala in the early medieval period. Present-day central Kerala probably detached from the Kongu Chera kingdom around 8th-9th century A.D to form the Chera Perumal kingdom (c. 9th- 12th century A.D). Recent studies on ancient south Indian history suggest that the three major rulers – the Pandya, the Chera, and the Chola – based originally in the interior Tamil Nadu, at Madurai, Karur (Karuvur)-Vanchi, and Uraiyur respectively, had established outlets on the Indian Ocean namely Korkai, Muchiri (Muziris), and Kaveri Poompattinam respectively. The territory of the Chera chiefdom of the early historical period (pre-Pallava) consisted of present-day central Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. The political structure of the chiefdom was based on the communal holding of resources and kinship-based production.
The authority was determined by "the range of redistributive social relationships sustained through the predatory accumulation of resources''. There was more than one branch of the Chera family ruling at the same time and content for leadership (one in central Kerala and the other one in western Tamil Nadu). A large body of Tamil works collectively known as the Sangam (Academy) texts (c. 2nd century BCE- 3rd century CE) describes several Chera, Pandya, and Chola rulers. Among them, the most important sources for the Cheras are the Pathitrupathu, the Akananuru, and the Purananuru. The Pathitrupattu, the fourth book in the Ettuthokai anthology, mentions several rulers and heirs-apparent of the Chera family. Each ruler is praised in ten songs sung by a court poet. However, the book has not worked into connected history and settled chronology so far. After the end of the early historical period in south India, c. 3rd-5th century CE, there seems to be a period where the Chera family's political prestige and influence declined considerably. Little is known for certain about the Cheras during this period. Cheras of Kongu country (Karur) initially appear as the rulers of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala. There was domination of present-day Kerala regions of the ancient Chera country by the Kongu Cheras/Keralas (probably via some form of viceregal rule). The family claimed that they were descended from the Cheras who flourished in pre-Pallava (early historic) south India.
Famous kings of their empire
Nedum Cheralathan: Nedum Cheralathan was a Chera ruler of the early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), contemporary to the Chola ruler Perunarkilli. He is the second known Chera ruler from the early Tamil literature and is praised in the Second Ten of Pathitrupathu (composed by poet Kannanar). He patronized Jainism and Buddhism. Nedum Cheralathan succeeded his father (Uthiyan Cheralathan) and ruled the territory for 58 years (as a crown prince first and then as an absolute ruler). He was a successful ruler with several victories over neighboring rulers such as the Kadambas. He is believed to have won over "Seven crowned kings'' and thus obtained the status of "Adhiraja".
Senguttavan Chera: the Good Chera, identified with Katal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan, (c. 2nd century CE) was the most celebrated ruler of the Chera dynasty in early historic south India. The kuttuvan is eulogized by Paranar in the fifth decade of Patitrupattu of the Ettutokai anthology (early Tamil texts). The kuttuvan successfully intervened in a succession dispute in the Chola country and established his relative on the Chola throne. The Kadambas helped by the Yavanas (perhaps Greek or Roman mariners) attacked the kuttuvan by sea, but the Cera ruler destroyed their fleet. He is said to have defeated the Kongu people and a warrior called Mokur Mannan. Under his reign, the Cera territory extended from Kollimalai near Karur Vanci in the east to Tondi and Mantai on the western coast (Kerala).
Mantaran Cheral: Mantaran Cheral Irumporai was a ruler of the Chera dynasty in early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE). He was a warring ruler and constantly moved about the frontiers of his dominions. He was hailed as "Yanai Katchai" meaning 'the One with an Eye-sight Like an Elephant'. According to early Tamil literature, Mantharan Cheral was a contemporary of famous Pandya ruler Nedum Chezhian-II, early 3rd century CE.
Kulashekhara Varma: Rama Kulasekhara (fl. late 11th century CE) was the last ruler of the Chera Perumal dynasty of medieval Kerala. He was a contemporary to Chola kings Kulottunga-I (1070–1120) and Vikrama Chola (1118–35 AD). Rama Kulaskehara is best known for recovering the Kollam-Trivandrum-Nagercoil region from the powerful Chola empire around 1100 A.D. Also known as 'Perumal', meaning 'The Great' – an epithet for god Rama. He is considered as the author of Sanskrit lyrics Mukundamala and Perumal Tirumozhi, which are compiled as a part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Rajashekhara Varma: His other name was Ceraman Perumal Nayanar and he is the first known ruler of the Chera of Cranganore. The Hindu saint Adi Sankara was his contemporary. Rama Rajasekhara (fl. 870/71–c. 883/84 AD) was a Chera Perumal ruler of medieval Kerala, south India. Rajasekhara is usually identified by historians with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the venerated Shaiva (Nayanar) poet-musician. Two temple records, from Kurumattur, Areacode, and Thiruvatruvay, Vazhappally, mention king Rajasekhara. Rajasekhara probably succeeded Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara around 870 A.D. It is also suggested that Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was on friendly terms with the Pallava dynasty.
Sthanu Ravi Varma: Sthanu Ravi Varma (old Malayalam and Tamil: Ko Tanu Iravi), known as the Kulasekhara, was the Chera Perumal ruler of Kerala in southern India from 844/45 to 870/71 A.D. He is the earliest Chera Perumal ruler known to scholars. The Chera Perumal relations with the Chola dynasty were inaugurated during the reign of Sthanu Ravi. The famous Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates are dated in the fifth regnal year of king Sthanu Ravi. Two more inscriptions dated in the regnal years of Sthanu Ravi can be found at Irinjalakuda Kudalmanikyam Temple, and at Thiruvatruvay, Thiruvalla. Koyil Adhikarikal (the Royal Prince) during the time of Sthanu Ravi was his son-in-law (husband of his daughter) Vijayaraga. Sthanu Ravi had a son born to him in or about 870 A.D. He was succeeded by Rama Rajasekhara (870/71–c. 883/84). Sthanu Ravi probably abdicated the throne toward the end of his reign and became a Vaishnavite Alvar saint known as Kulasekhara Alvar (seventh of the twelve mystic alvars).
Rama Varma Kulashekhara: His full name was Raja Sri Rama Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, alternatively Ramar Tiruvati or Kulasekhara Koyiladhikarikal) and his reign was known for severe political crisis and instability. He was the last ruler of the Later Chera dynasty (Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram).
Extent of their empire & Patronage towards the Hindu religion
The Chera Kings had no particular religion - even the caste system was absent from their society - but ancestral worship was popular. The above list of Chera Rulers and their contributions will enhance the general knowledge of the readers. In general, early Tamil texts reflect the Dravidian cultural tradition as well as elements of the northern Indian cultural tradition, which by now was beginning to come into contact with southern India. It is logical to conclude that most of the Chera population followed native Dravidian religions. Religious practice might have consisted predominantly of conducting sacrifices to various gods, such as to the pre-eminent god Murugan. The worship of departed heroes was a common practice in the Chera territory, along with tree worship and other kinds of ancestor worship. The war goddess Kottravai was propitiated with elaborate offerings of meat and toddy. It is theorized that Kottravai was assimilated into the present-day form of the goddess Durga. It is thought that the first wave of Brahmin migration came to the Chera territory around the 3rd century BCE with or behind the Jain and Buddhist missionaries. It was only in the 8th century CE that the Aryanisation of the old Chera country reached its organized form. Though the vast majority of the population followed native Dravidian practices, a small percentage of the population, mainly migrants, followed Jainism, Buddhism, and Brahmanism. Populations of Jews and Christians were also known to have lived in Kerala. A striking feature of the social life of the early historic period is the high status accorded to women. Agriculture and pastoralism were the primary occupations of the people. Various agricultural occupations such as harvesting, threshing, and drying are described in the early Tamil texts. Poets and musicians were held in high regard in society. There were also professional poets and poetesses who composed texts praising their patrons and were generously rewarded.
Architecture style of the kings
They followed Dravidian culture, and agriculture flourished a lot during their rule. Uthiyan Cheralathan was the first king of Chera dynasty, that he was known as, Vanararamban, while Rama Varma Kulashekhara was the last ruler of this dynasty. Their architecture was called Dravidian architecture, that their temples are mostly octagonal, rectangular, that sandstones, granite are used to build. Their temples are divided into 4 parts-Vimana, Mandapas, gopurams, and garbhagriha.
Key temples built/enhanced during this reign
THIRUVANCHIKULAM SIVA TEMPLE - Constructed in Kerala style, architecture was built during the Chera period, that Lord Shiva was worshipped by, umadevi.
BHAGAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE - It is also known as, Devi Kanyakumari Tamilnadu goddess, Sakthi. Located in Kanyakumari Tamilnadu, Goddess Shree Baala, as she is called, is also worshipped as Bhadrakali Amman.
KALAMBAR KOIL - This temple is also known as, Kulittalai near Tiruchirapalli, as it is considered as one of the 5 kadamba shrines.
PALLYIL TEMPLE - A 800-year-old temple, located near Thrissur, that is about 8km away from Guruvayur city.
MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE - Located in Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam in Kerala, that it denotes, five ancient shrines, connected to Mahabharata.
KURUMATHUR - Chera inscription is found in the kurumathur temple, near areekode, that was then ruled by king Mahodayapura. It is a granite slab, in Pallava grantha script which shows the praise and glory of Lord Rama.
THIRUVANCHIKULAM SIVA TEMPLE - Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala
Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kodungallur built during the Chera period in the 8th century. Shiva is worshipped as Mahadeva and his consort Parvathi as Umadevi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find mention in the canon. It is the only temple in Kerala in the list. As per Periyapuranam, Sundara Murthi Nayanar,one of the four great saints in Tamil Shaivism ascended to heaven from this place.
Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple
BHAGAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE - Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu
Devi Kanya Kumari is goddess Parvati in the form of an adolescent girl child. Devi is also known as Shree Baala Bhadra or Shree Baala. She is popularly known as "Shakti'' (Parvati) "Devi". The Bhagavathy Temple is located in Cape Kanya Kumari in Tamil Nadu, at the southern tip of mainland India, thereby located on the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. This temple is one of the 52 Shakthi Peetam. The myth story is, Lord shiva didn’t keep his promise to marry her, so out of upset, she turned into a demon. The belief is, the back spine area of sati fell here.
KALAMBAR KOIL - Kulittalai near Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu
Kadambar Koil is an important Shiva temple located in a village named Kulithalai near Karur and Trichy cities in South India. This temple is also called Kadambanthurai. It is considered as the second among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams (274 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in Chola country south of Kaveri river. It is considered as one of the five Kadamba shrines installed by Lord Subramanya. The other four shrines are Kovil Kadambar, Aadi Kadambar, Ilankadambanoor and Perunkadambanoor. The site was named as Brahmapuram as Lord Brahma conducted the chariot festival here. Vishnu prayed to Shiva prior to recovering the Vedas from Somasuran; hence the site was also called Chaturvedapuri. Muthuswamy Deekshitar's Kriti Neelakantham Bhaje sings the glory of this shrine.
PALLIYIL TEMPLE - Thrissur, Kerala
This temple is dedicated to, Bhagavathi Goddess, located in Perinjanam, so the name Puliyil came. Goddess tara devi is also seen here, along with Buddhist shrine. During sangam age, this temple prevailed. From Kozhikode this place is easily accessible by road, while there are direct trains to Thrissur.
MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE - Thrikkodithanam, Kottayam, Kerala
It is one of the Divya kshetram, that King Rukmanuatha undertook vratham, while another story is, a temple servant was cursed here, that he turned into a stone. Kerala style architecture prevails all over this place. A strange form of art is displayed between the pond and eastern entrance called, kazhivetti Kallur. It is kept as a reminder, that the king had bribed the caretaker, and got into the temple, and soon he fell ill and died.
Thrickodithanam Maha Vishnu Temple
KURUMATHUR TEMPLE - Kurumathur, Kerala
Not much is known about this temple, but Kurumathur is a village that is surrounded by Kannur, Talaparamba and Trivandrum. Valapattanam river flows all over this place,while traditional art, Theyyam is seen here. A small beautiful temple with a popular, Chera dynasty inscription. The inscription relates to the rule of Chera Perumal king Rama Rajasekhara (9th century AD) in north-central Kerala. It is dated to 24 May 871 AD as a Kali Day chronogram. Composed in shardula-vikridita metre in Sanskrit, the three-stanza inscription states that the king Rajasekhara belonged to the illustrious Ikshvaku dynasty of god Rama.
THIRUPPADAGAM TEMPLE - Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
Pandavathoothar Perumal Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Pandava Thoothar Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Rukmini. The temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple.
Sri Pandava Dhoodha Perumal Temple
THIRUOORAGAM TEMPLE - Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th through 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Amudavalli. The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. The temple is found in Big Kanchipuram, and is situated close to Kamakshi Amman Temple. The temple complex actually houses four Divya Desams in its different precincts, namely, Thirukkarvaanam, Thirukaaragam, Thiruneeragam, and Thiruooragam, that last of which is present with in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple.
Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
THIRUNELLI TEMPLE - Brahmagiri hill in Kerala
Thirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala, near the border with Karnataka state. The temple is at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. It is 32 km away from Manathavady. The Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Narasimha Purana, Padma Purana, and many other Puranas and Hindu texts mention the beautiful Vishnu temple as being built by Lord Brahma, located in the picturesque Sahya valley, deep in the middle of forest of unmatchable beauty, and in these texts, it is referred to as "Sahyamalaka Kshetra."
VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE - Thrissur, Kerala
Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva at city of Thrissur, of Kerala state in India. This temple is a classical example of the architectural style of Kerala and has one monumental tower on each of the four sides in addition to a kuttambalam. Mural paintings depicting various scenes from the Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Kuttambalam display vignettes carved in wood. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. According to popular local lore, this is the first temple built by Parasurama, the sixth avatara of Vishnu. Thekkinkadu Maidan, encircling the Vadakkunnathan Temple, is the main venue of the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival.
KODUNGALLUR BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE - Kodungallur, Kerala
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple is a Hindu temple at Kodungallur is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Maha Kali or Parashakthi worshipped in Kerala. The goddess is also known by the name "Sri Kurumba". This temple is the head of 64 Bhadrakali temples in Kerala especially Malabar and is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. This is attested by numerous Tamil poems and inscriptions of different times. The goddess of the temple represents the goddess in her fierce ('ugra') form, facing North, featuring eight hands with various attributes. One is holding the head of the demon king Daruka, another a sickle-shaped sword, next an anklet, another a bell, among others.
KANDIYUR SIVA TEMPLE - Kandiyoor, Kerala
Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated in Kandiyoor on the banks of Achankovil river. The temple and region are related to the history of ancient Buddhism in Kerala and is the earliest temple about which there is an epigraph about its origin in A.D 823 during the reign of Rajasekhara Varman. There was an era name 'Kandiyoorabdam' from the formation of the temple that was in widespread use until the introduction of Kollavarsham.
MATHILAKAM TEMPLE - Thalakkulathur, Kozhikode, Kerala
Sri Mathilakam Temple, also known as Sree Narayana Perumal alias Talakkulathoor Devaswam, was one of the oldest temples in the state of Kerala. The temple was destroyed by fire, fire, and foreign invasion. The temple is estimated to be around 1500 years old. Located in Thalakkulathur Grama Panchayath in Kozhikode Taluk in Kerala. Narasimham is the fourth avatar of Maha Vishnu in Krita Yuga. Maha Vishnu came in Narasimha avatar to rescue Prahalada and to eliminate Hiranyakashipu. There are historic records of Chera King establishing hero stone /stone inscriptions at Thalakulathur in AD 883. The hero stone / stone inscription is still in C the temple. The inscription on the hero stone, even though are not so clear, does establish that the temple was at its peak before 1100 years. The temple stood witness to the discussion of King Samoothiri and King of Kottayam on governance.
KUMARA KOTTAM TEMPLE - Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu
Kumara kottam Temple is a Hindu temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu war god and the son of the gods Shiva and his mother Parvathi. The temple is also known as the Subramaniya Swami temple. The ancient temple was rebuilt in its present form in 1915 CE. The temple is one of the 21 major temples in Kanchipuram and is an important pilgrimage centre. Saint Aruna giri nadhar has sung hymns in praise of the Murugan icon of this temple.
Kumara Kottam Subramanyam Temple
BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE, Thanjavur built by Chera Perumals of Kerala
Brihadishvara temple, also called Rajarajeswaram or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Kaveri river in Thanjavur. The original monuments of this 11th century temple were built around a moat by Chera Perumals of Kerala. It included gopura, the main temple, its massive tower, inscriptions, frescoes and sculptures predominantly related to Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism. The temple was damaged in its history and some artwork is now missing. Additional mandapam and monuments were added in centuries that followed. The temple now stands amidst fortified walls that were added after the 16th century.
