Uraiyur was the center of the adventurous early Chozhas, who had hoisted their flag fluttering on the cliffs of Himalayas. As it was the capital, there was regular movement of the four-fold royal army. The town had arrays of beautiful tall houses. At the centre of this town, like a crown, was the temple of the crescent adorned God, Panchavarneshwar, who appeared in five colours to a sage (Utanka). This now forms a part of the centre of the city of Tiruchirappalli.

Pugazh Chozhar, whose name itself conveys fame and whose deeds gave him undying fame, was a king who ruled from that famous town. He was an emperor and the other kings around owed allegiance to him. But he was a servitor of Shambu and His servitors. Shaivism spread its fragrance as far as the frontiers of his kingdom. Meticulous worship was performed at all the temples of the Three eyed Lord with tremendous devotion. The needs of devotees were taken care of by the caring king. Peace and prosperity pervaded the kingdom and also the minds of the people. His respect for the devotees was so great that when his royal elephant was killed by Eripaththar for trampling upon the flowers meant for the Great God, he bowed down before Eripaththar and said, "It is not sufficient justice to just kill that elephant for the crime, please kill me too!"

Once Pugazh Chozhar went to Karuvur, a traditional town of Chozhas, accompanied by his courtiers and family. He bowed to the Lord at Karuvur whose bow was the great mountain, before reaching his palace. The precious gems from kingdoms that had submitted to his strength and love, were presented by the respective kings. He came to know that only one king Adhikan had not accepted his suzerainty. As was the tradition, he ordered his four-fold army to invade the fort of the foe. The powerful and courageous army of Pugazh Chozhar overran the fort and the enemy easily. They brought back heaps of heads to show their valour to the king. The king was petrified to see that one of the heads with russet matted hair, which was the mark of a Shiva devotee!

Though it was the practice of the kings of olden days to fight and expand the frontiers of the kingdoms, Pugazh Chozhar was drowned in guilt at what had happened. He said in all sadness, "How is it that I am ruling this empire? Even after seeing the head of a devotee with matted hair, how is it that I am still ruling, with my fame sullied?" He ordered his ministers to crown and guide the new king, his son, on the right path of God. Much to the sorrow of his ministers and subjects, he decided to give up his life. Besmeared with holy ash, he held the severed head with matted hair on a golden plate and entered the fire with the glory of the Lord suffusing his heart. He reached the feet of Lord with his fame now reaching its zenith. Let the devotion of Pugazh Chozhar with which he bowed to Eripaththar for the mistake of his elephant, and out of which he sacrificed his body for the mistake of his soldiers stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Aadi / Krittikai or Karka / Krithika

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of pukazh chOzha nAyanAr
• The puranam of Pukazhcchozha Nayanar in English Poetry
• புகழ்ச்சோழ நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• புகழ்ச்சோழ நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• पुगल चोल नायनार दिव्य चरित्र 

See Also:

• Eripaththa Nayanar

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