Ālvār Sri Parāntakan Sri Kundavai Pirāttiyār also Parāntakan Kundavai Ālvār or more popularly referred to as Kundavai Pirāttiyār was one of the most powerful queens of the Chola empire.[1] She was the daughter of Ponmaligai-tunjiya-devar (the king who died at the golden palace), the elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I and the aunt of Rajendra Chola I.[2][3] Kundavai was very pious and was the second most generous donor after Rajaraja Chola I at the Brihadeeswarar temple.[4] She also built various temples for Siva(Iravikulamanikka-Iswara), Vishnu (Kundavai-Vinnagar-Alvar) and Jaina (Kundavai Jinalaya).[5]
Vallavaraiyar Vandiyadeva-tam-Pirattiyar Ālvār Sri Parāntakan Sri Kundavai Pirāttiyār – This is how one of the most powerful ladies of the ancient chola kingdom gets her introduction in the famous Thanjavur temple inscriptions.[6]
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She is well known for her philanthropic activities and was one of the generous contributors of art and architecture. She regularly features in many of the important Chola inscriptions.[7] She commissioned many temples and her contributions show that she was very secular[8]:
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Kundavai Jinnalaya
She built at least two Jain temples, one at Rajarajeswaram later known as Dadapuram and the other at Tirumalai. The former has disappeared into the sands of time while the latter still stands at the foot of the hill. Extensive renovations and repairs over time have masked the original architectural style of the temple. However the interior mandapa and the idol of Neminatha still bear the fine workmanship of Chola architecture.[8]
Kundavai-Vinnagar-Alvar
This was one among the many temples built by princess Kundavai. One of the related inscriptions at the temple is as follows:
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Idols set up by Kundavai
When Parantaka Chola II died after a distinguished reign, his queen Vanavan Mahadevi took her own life by the rite of sati. Kundavai, had such great regard and love for her parents that when Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswarar temple at Tanjore, she set up images of her parents and made ample endowments for worship.[10] Some of the images or idols set up by princess Kundavai include[11]:
Sundara Chola Vinnagar – Hospital
She also built a free hospital after her father; Sundara Chola Vinnagar atula salai at Thanjavur and donated extensive lands for its maintenance.[12][13]
She made some of the most lavish donations to the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur during the reign of her younger brother, Rajaraja Chola I and her nephew Rajendra Chola I.
Here is an excerpt from the 29th year of Rajaraja that lists some of her gifts to Brihadeeswarar temple:
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Arvar Parantakan Kundavaiyar, (who was) the venerable elder sister of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva and the great queen of Vallavaraiyar Vandyadevar ..gave three thousand five hundred karanju of gold, which was a quarter superior in fineness to the (gold standard called) dandavani, and one thousand five hundred karanju of gold, which was one (degree) inferior in fineness to the dandavani, – altogether, five thousand karanju of gold.[14] |
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She was very pious and continued to make endowments well into the reign of her nephew Rajendra Chola I. Here is an excerpt, once again from the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur:
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Arvar Parantakan Kundavaiyar, (who was) the venerable elder sister of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva (and) the great queen of Vallavaraiyar Vandyadevar gave- ..One sacred girdle (tiruppattigai), (containing) ninety-seven karanju and a half, four manjadi and nine tenths of gold. Six hundred and sixty-seven large and small diamonds with smooth edges, set (into it), – including such as had spots, cracks, red dots, black dots, and marks as of burning, – weighed two karanju and a quarter and six tenths (of a manjadi). Eighty-three large and small rubies, viz., twenty-two halahalam of superior quality, twenty halahalam, twenty smooth rubies, nine bluish rubies, two sattam and ten unpolished rubies, – including such as had cavities, cuts, holes, white specks, flaws, and such as still adhered to the ore, – weighed ten karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and two tenths. Two hundred and twelve pearls, strung or sewn on, – including round pearls, roundish pearls, polished pearls, small pearls, nimbolam, ambumudu, (pearls) of brilliant water and of red water, such as had been polished while still adhering to the shall, (and pearls with) lines, stains, red dots, white specks and wrinkles, – weighed eighteen karanju and two manjadi. Altogether, (the girdle) weighed one hundred and twenty-nine karanju and seven tenths (of a manadi), corresponding to a value of four thousand and five hundred kasu.. One ring for the foot of the goddess, (containing) seventy-one karanju and a half and two manjadi of gold. Four hundred and fifty-nine diamonds, set (into it), viz., four hundred and fifty diamonds with smooth edges, and nine small square diamonds with smooth edges, including such as had spots, cracks, red dots, black dots, and marks as of burning, – weighed (one) karanju and a half, three manjadi and nine tenths. Thirty-nine large and small rubies, viz., ten halahalam of superior quality, eight halahalam, nine smooth rubies, three bluish rubies and nine unpolished rubies, – including such as had cavities, cuts, holes, white speeks, flaws, and such as still adhered to the ore, – weighed three karanju and three quarters, three manjadi and six tenths. Altogether, (the ring) weighed seventy-seventy-seven karanju, four manjadi and (one) kunri, corresponding to a value of a five hundred kasu.[14] |
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Kundavai spent the last days of her life with her nephew Rajendra Chola I at the palace in Palaiyārai.[13][15]
She was one of the most revered women of the Chola empire. The day of avittam in every month is very special for the family as it is the natal star of Alvar Kundavai, the beloved elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I. An honorary festival and food offerings has been regularly arranged.[16]
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Pruthi