Kallingarayan was a thirteenth-century

Kongu Nadu Kongu Nadu, also known by various names as Kongu Mandalam and Kongu belt, is a geographical region comprising present day parts of western Tamil Nadu, southeastern Karnataka and eastern Kerala. In the ancient Tamilakam, it was the seat of th ...

chieftain.

History

Kalingarayan was born as a Lingaya Gounder in the Kongu Vellalar Gounder community in the western part of

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil languag ...

in 1240 CE. He independently ruled the

region until it came under the influence of the Pandyan kings. When the Pandyan kings expanded their territory,

was also annexed. On behalf of his elder brother Pandyan King

Jatavarman Vira Pandyan II Jatavarman Vira Pandyan II (also called Sadayavarman Vira Pandyan or Veera Pandyan) was a Pandyan Prince and co-King, who ruled regions of Tamilakkam, in southern India, between 1253–1275 CE. Shared Rule Jatavarman Vira Pandiyan II was cro ...

appointed Lingaya Gounder granted him the title Kalingarayan.

Achievements

He constructed the 56.5 mile Kalingarayan Canal to connect Bhavani river with Noyyal river to enhance irrigation facilities of

Erode Erode () is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Erode is the seventh largest urban agglomeration in the state, after Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Tiruppur and Salem. It is also the administrative headquarters of the ...

Region. It was completed in 1283 CE. It continues to irrigate around 15,750 acres.

Legacy

Tamil Nadu Chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated the statue of

chieftain Kalingarayan to honour his contributions. Every year, 5th day of Thai month is celebrated as Kalingarayar day commerating his works.

References

{{authority control Indian royalty 1240 births People from Tamil Nadu Year of death unknown