Killivalavan - Chola king And Construction Of Srirangam Temple

Killivalavan was one of the prominent rulers of the great Chola dynasty which was ruled by great king like Karikala Chola who was probably his grandfather. He succeeded Nalankilli (son of Karikala Chola) and became the ruler of Chola empire. Killivalavan was an able king, brave, generous and also headstrong. Most of the information we get about him is from the fragmentary poems of Sangam in the Purananuru (ancient Tamil poetic work).

Early Life :

Earlier in his life, Killivalavan married a princess of Naga kingdom named Peelivalai, daughter of Valaivanan who was a Naga king. Later he married another princess of Mahishamandalam kingdom (modern Mysore) named Sithathakai. By Sithathakai, he had a son named Udaya Kumara who grew up to be a handsome and promising youth but was brutally murdered not intentionally but accidentally. Killivalavan then sent for his other son born by Peelivalai. She sent her son happily to his father in a merchant vessel which sailed from Manippallavam to Kavirippaddinam. On the way, on a dark and stormy night, the passengers of merchant vessel landed on an island and there they left the prince in dark, and sailed again when the weather cleared. Finding afterwards that the prince was missing, they searched throughout the island but failed to find the prince.

After the death of Nalankilli, Killivalavan succeeded to the Chola throne. He had other competitors for throne inside his royal family and he had difficulties in ascending the throne immediately after Nalankilli's death. Nearly nine princes revolted and demanded to divide the kingdom among all. Killivalavan had a cousin named Chenkudduva-Chera. He assisted Killivalavan in this issue by defeating the confederate princes at Nerivayil and made Killivalavan the next emperor of the great Chola empire.

Reign Of Killivalavan :

Killivalavan was a great Chola king who made several conquests and was victorious. One of his greatest achievements was the siege of Karur, the then capital of Chera kingdom. Killivalavan also won a battle called "Battle of Malainadu". The chief of Malainadu, Malayaman Tirumudikkari supported one of the Chola prince who rebelled against Killivalavan at the time of succession of Nalankilli. So he waged a war on Malayaman Tirumudikkari and killed him. He then captured his sons and intended to throw them under the feet of elephant. The poet Kovur-Kilar interceded on their behalf and requested the king to spare them. The king accepted the request of Kovur-Kilar.

He waged a battle against the then powerful Pandyan dynasty which was ruled by Nedum Chezhiyan. He allied with Chera ruler Yanaikatchai Mantaran Cheral Irumporai, Ezhini, Thithiyan, Irungo Vaenmaan, Porunan and Erumaiyuran to fight the Pandyas. But these allied forces were badly defeated by powerful Pandyan king, Nedum Chezhiyan. Pandyan commander Palayan Maran played a key role in defeating the allied forces.


Brahma Deva with his powers took the Vimana of Srirangam temple out of "Parkadal". Lord Rama has performed poojas to this Vimana. But as a symbol of love he gave this Vimana to Vibhishana (brother of Ravana), with a condition, to not to keep that on earth. While he took this Vimana and was travelling towards Srilanka, Lord Vinayaka played a trick and made Vibhishana to put the Vimana on ground. He made it to stick to the ground at a place called Srirangam, on the banks of river Cauvery. Then Chola kings namely Dharmavarcholan and Killivalavan developed the shrine in to very big temple which we can see now. It is located in Tiruchchirappalli. It is the only temple in south India with seven inner circles (each named after an ancestor). The south tower which is 236 feet tall, was the highest tower in ancient asia. He was probably succeeded by Kopperuncholan.