An inscription at a sub-temple built by Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044) at the Thiagarajaswamy Temple in Tiruvarur, has thrown fresh light on the birth star of the king.
Kudavayil Balasubramanian, a noted archaeologist and historian, who deciphered the inscription at the temple, said the king had clearly noted in it that Margazhi Tiruvathirai should be celebrated as a festival for Lord Shiva.
The inscription also mentioned that the Iyppasi Sathayam, the day of his father Rajarajan-I’s birth, should be celebrated as a festival. Besides these two, Rajendra Chola had also mentioned that his own birth star day (Aadi Tiruvathirai) should be celebrated as a separate festival.
The king had also arranged separate endowments for these festivals.
“Noted historians like K A Neelakanta Sastri and T V Sadasiva Pandarathar have relied upon the inscription at the Thiyagaraja Temple in Thiruvottriyur in Chennai, which speaks about celebrating Margazhi Tiruvathirai day, an auspicious day for Lord Nataraja, as “Rajendra Cholan festival”.
However, it did not have any reference to Margazhi Tiruvathirai as the birthday of Rajendra Cholan, Balasubramanian said.
He also noted that Rajendra Chola was anointed as the Chola King in 1012 AD by his father Rajaraja Chola, when he was alive.
Rajendra Chola became the emperor in 1014 AD, after the demise of his father.
Meanwhile official sources said that the State Government was planning to celebrate the 1,000th regnal year of Rajendra Chola shortly. There is also a proposal to perform kumbabishekam at the Brahadeeswara Temple in Gangaikondal Cholapuram built by Rajendra Chola I.