Among the
royal dynastics of the Cheras, Cholas, Pandiyas, who ruled over Tamil Nadu
since the time before the Christ, the Cholas who held a place of esteem
had this ancient town for their port capital. Puhar means the estuary or
river-mouth of the sea.
There are frequent references to this
important port town in ancient Tamil Literature like Akananooru,
Purananooru, Pattinappalai, Muthollayiram, Silappathikaram, Manimekalai,
Devaram, Thirutthondarpuranam and Nandhikkalampagam. Ancient Pali
literature like Milindapan, putthu, Jathakakathaikal, Abithamma Avathar
and Puthavamsagatha. And Travelogues of periplus and Merris Erithroy
contain the references to this ancient town. Ptolemy and Pliny also
mention about Poopuhar in their writings
Somaya, a Buddha Pikkuni
from Poompuhar donated one of the beautiful sculpture pillars erected by
Sunga kings of North India during the 2nd century B.C The pillar carries
the inscription "Kaganthia Somaya Pikkunia Thanam" 9Pillar
donated by Somaya Pikkuni of Poompuhar). Buddhism flourished in Poompuhar
two thousands years ago.
Details of Poompuhar have been read in
the Brahmi-inscription dating back to the second century B.C. in "Barkuth"
of North India. The historical details of Poompuhar have also been found
in the inscriptions of Sayavanam temple at poompuhar.
The ancient
kings like Sembiyan, Musugundan, Manuneethi Cholan and Karikala Cholan who
carried myths with them, added to the glory of poompuhar town. Poompuhar
grew into a great city during the reign of Karikala Cholan.Inscriptions at
Thiruvengadu make a mention of grand festival of Indra, during the latter
Chola's times. Poompuhar occupied a significant place during the regime of
Kalabras. After the Kalabras in the 6th century A.D., Poompuhar came under
the Pallava regime and during that time Pallavaneesswaram temple was built
by them. The great Saiva Saints Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar have
sanctified the temples with their holy hymns.
With the rise of
the latter Cholas in 850 A.D. the city regained its past glory. It is
mentioned as " Rajathiraja Valanaatu Nagoor Nattu Kaveripoompattinam"
in the Sayavanam temple inscription of Vikrama Cholan. In the same temple,
the inscription calls the town "Puhar Nagaram". Later
Koppperunchingam also contributed to the grandeur of the place.Special
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