21 Facts About Pugal Chola

Pugal Chola, known as Pukal Chola, Pukazhchozha Nayanar, Pugazh, Pukazhcchozhar, Pukal Cholan and Pugal Chola Nayanar, is described as a Chola ruler and was a Nayanar saint, venerated in Shaivism, one of the main sects of Hindu.

Pugal Chola is generally counted as the eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars.

The life of Pugal Chola is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar, which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.

Pugal Chola's historicity seems "probable" and he could one of the legendary early Cholas.

Pugal Chola is described as the ancestor of Kulothunga Chola II, who reigned between 1133 and 1150 CE.

Pugal Chola is described a contemporary of Eripatha Nayanar, another Nayanar saint.

Pugal Chola ruled the Chola kingdom from its capital Uraiyur, presently a neighbourhood of the Indian city of Tiruchirappalli.

Pugal Chola is described as a devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism.

Pugal Chola appears in two chapters in the Periya Puranam.

Pugal Chola is described as an ideal monarch who served his subjects, Shiva and devotees of Shiva.

Pugal Chola was the emperor of the region and had numerous vassals.

Once on the day of Maha Navami, the royal elephant of the Pugal Chola was being paraded through the town.

Pugal Chola alighted from his horse and bowed to the angry Eripatha in reverence and asked about the crime of his elephant and men.

Pugal Chola thought it would be best to commit suicide by the sword as penance for the murders.

Ultimately, the Pugal Chola army triumphed, annihilating the armies of Adigan and razing this fort to dust.

The Pugal Chola warriors arrived with the wealth and women from Adigan's city and brought severed heads of their fallen foes as a sign of valour.

Pugal Chola smeared his body with sacred ash and took the head of the devotee in a golden, jewel-studded vessel on his head.

Pugal Chola circumambulated the blazing flames, reciting the Panchakshara mantra to placate Shiva and finally plunged into the fire.

Pugal Chola is depicted wearing regal clothes and a crown, with folded hands and with a sword in crook of his hand.

Pugal Chola receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars.

Pugal Chola is described to have been killed in war in Karuvur.