Thakkolam

Thakkolam தக்கோலம்
city
Thakkolam Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 13°00′57″N 79°44′07″E / 13.01593°N 79.735293°ECoordinates: 13°00′57″N 79°44′07″E / 13.01593°N 79.735293°E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Vellore
Government
• President	S. Nagarajan
Population (2001)
• Total	11,919
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Thakkolam is a panchayat town in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Thakkolam has a temple called Jalanatheeswarar Temple.

History

Thakkolam war : Rajaditya was the crown prince of the later Cholas kingdom under the King Parantaka I. King Kannaradevan alias King Krishna III was his contemporary in the Rashtrakuda kingdom. As there was political enmity between the Cholas and the Rashtrakudas those days, a war between them became imminent. While the Chera king came in support of the Cholas, the Ganga king was in support of the Rashtrakudas. A combined army of the Cholas and Cheras was led by the Chola Crown prince Rajadhitya and the army of the Rashtrakudas and Gangas was led by the Rashtrakuda king Kannaradevan. Both the army met at the battlefield of Thakkolam in 949 AD and fought fiercely. In the war, the Chola prince Rajadhitya was killed by the Gangan king Boodhuka II (who was also the brother-in-law of the Rashtrakuda king Kannara Devan) by a poison-coated arrow in the battle field. Consequently, the Cholas were defeated.The defeat of the Cholas at the battle field of Thakkolam, nevertheless, gave a new impetus in the Cholas regime and inspired the later Cholas to make a big army and a great naval armada and expand their kingdom beyond the Indian Territory. This ultimately resulted in the glorious blossoming of the Cholas kingdom initially during the regime of King Rajaraja I and later during the regime of his son Rajendra I.

Modern utility of the ancient battlefield : A great patch of vast dry land with occasional bushes lying to the north of the town is believed to be the place where the war took place. Two decades ago, this area was handed over to the Union Home Ministry by the Government of Tamil Nadu for setting up a Regional Training Centre for the Central Industrial Security Forces. It is perhaps fitting fate that the place where a great war had taken place many centuries ago subsequently became a Centre for training the soldiers and marshals for the internal security of the nation.

Other information : It is a popular belief that 'Takola' indicated in the book written by the Greek historian Tolemy in the 2nd century AD refers to Thakkolam. Similarly, there is another reference in the stone inscription of the Chola king Rajendra I as 'Kalai thakkor pugazh thalai thakkolam'. However, the historians contradict this view and claim that the reference of Tolemy actually indicates another place called 'Thalai-Thakkolam' located in Malasia, previously known as Gadaram. There is one more reference about the town in the Bhuddhist book called 'Milidha Banca' written in the 5th century AD. It is unclear whether this reference also pertains to Thakkolam or Thalai Thakkolam located in Malaysia.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[1] Thakkolam had a population of 11,919. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Thakkolam has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 58%. In Thakkolam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transportation

With the development of a vast road network, Thakkolam is well connected to its nearby towns and villages. The Thakkolam railway station connects the village to Arakonam, Tirumalpur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpet and the Thiruvalangadu railway station connects to Chennai and Arakonam.

Temples

7 Lord Sivas Temples

1. Sri Jalanatheeswarar Temple - cited in Devaaram Thirumurai's 2. Sri Gangatheeswarar Temple - cited in Devaaram Thirumurai's 3. Sri Somanatheeswarar Temple 4. Sri Thirumambazhanathar Temple - (a wellknown pancha pandavars legend story associated with this temple) 5. Sri Palleeswarar Temple 6. Sri Theneeswarar Temple 7. Sri Yammaneeswarar Temple

1 Lord Vishnu Temple - Sri Azhagiya Karivarathar or Azhaghuraja Perumal (almost vanished now)

7 Lord Ganapathy Temples

1. Sri Aadhi Sakthi Vinayagar 2. Sri Rettai Vinayagar 3. Sri Karpaga Vinayagar (almost vanished now) 4. Sri Kaamandaga Vinayagar 5. Sri Ezhilmanadapa Vinayagar 6. Sri Vazhikattu Vinayagar 7. Sri Arasa Marathu Vinayagar

9 Grama (Village) Devathaigal (goddess) temples encircling and guarding Thakkolam boundaries

1. Sri Payandiamman Temple (West) 2. Sri Meenakshiamman Temple (West) 3. Sri Thakkaliamman Temple (East) 4. Sri Chamundiamman Temple (East) 5. Sri Kalyanathamman Temple (South) 6. Sri Kulamkaathamman Temple (South) 7. Sri Moolathamman Temple (North) 8. Sri Pachaiamman Temple (North) 9. Sri Dharmaraja Draupathiamman Temple (North East abutting the Kallar river)

Ancient History: An ancient rural village dates >2000 years BC. Heritage name of the village is "Thiruvooral" (evident in Thirugnanasamandar Thiruvorral Devarapathigam as well in other Saivate Thirumurais). Besides Thirugnanasamandar, Appar, Sudarar mentioned this Thiruvooral in their devara hyms. Arunagirinathar sung Thirupughaz on Lord Muruga at Thakkolam. It is called as "Thakkolam Thirupughaz". Now it is hiding somewhere. Worth exploring it. Legendary divine stories believe that Hindu gods Kamadenu, Indran, Chandran, Yama, Thirumaal, Pandavas, Sapthamathar, Udhathi risi, Theergatha risi and even goddess parvathi worshipped the lord siva at Thiruvooral to nullify their sins as pabhavimokshana. Various Indian kings raised these magnificent temples at Thakkolam in the past history >1000 years which is evidently by ASI records. They are Pallavas, Cholas, Rastrakutas, Yoshalas and Vijaynagara kingdom. Further these temples speaks history on there comple pragara walls in ancient Tamil script. Also these temples bore superfine south Indian sculpture edifacies. worth seeing and enjoying.

References

1. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.