Rajashekhara Varman (Later Chera Empire) - His Relation With Thiruvanchikulam Temple

Rajashekhara Varman was the second ruler of the Kulasekhara dynasty (later Chera Dynasty) who worshiped lord Shiva and became a Shaivite unlike his father Kulasekhara Alwar who was a Vaishnavite. He probably ruled from 820-844 A.D. The Malayalam calender known as Kollam era commenced during his reign. The Hindu saint Adi Shankara was a contemporary of the Rajashekhara Varman.


He is reputed to have issued the Vazhappali inscription which was the first ever epigraphic record of the Chera kingdom. The Tillaisthanam inscription mentions that he maintained friendly relations with the then Chola monarch. He loved astronomy. Sankaranarayana, who composed the astronomical work sankaranarayaniyam, adorned his court. The trade with romans flourished. The Vazhappali inscription has a specific mention of the roman produced denarius coin.

History of Thiruvanchikulam and Rajashekhara Varman:

Rajashekhara Varman was later transformed and venerated as a Shaiva or Nayanar saint. He and Sundaramurthi were devotees of Lord Shiva and they were said to have attained eternal bliss on Swathi day in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (August-September) and it is believed that Kollam era started from that day. The work of the Nayanar led to the establishment of a number of Saiva shrines in Kerala.There was a Mahadev temple in Thiruvanchikulam and during the reign of Rajashekhara Varman Shaivism flourished and many Shiva temples have been constructed. Both Rajashekhara Varman and Sundaramurthi, during their last phase of life, lived in Thiruvanchikulam and offered their services to Lord Shiva and eventually died there. His reign was noted for the rise of Hindu temples to a place of importance in religious and cultural life.


After his death, hostilities broke out between the Cheras and the Cholas, which continued until the disintegration of the Chera kingdom. The Pandyas of Madurai also involved themselves in this conflict. He was succeeded by his son Sthanu Ravi Varman.