Re-name Madurai Airport as "Sadai Sunthera Paandiyan International Airport"

Author - Virarajendra

Re-name the Madurai Airport as "Sadaiyavarman Sunthera Paandiyan International Airport"
or 'in short' as "Sadai Sunthera Paandiyan International Airport"

Under construction

Emergence of Second Paandiyan Empire

The emergence of the Second Tamil Paandiyan Empire in the history of India came into focus during the period of Maravarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 (A.D.1216-1239) who ruled from Mathurai. During this period his younger brother Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan ruled from Kotkai in the present Ramanathapuram district under him.

With the death of Maravarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 his brother Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan - 1 succeeded to the Paandiyan throne at Mathurai. He had three sons who were Sadaiyavarman Vikkrama Paandiyan (A.D.1249-1251) Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 (A.D.1251-1292) and (b) Sadaiyavarman Veera Paandiyan (A.D.1251-1281).

After the demise of Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan his eldest son Sadaiyavarman Vikkrama Paandiyan acended the throne at Mathurai. He too met an early death and was succeeded by his younger brother Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 2.

Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan (A.D.1251-1292)

The Second Paandiyan Empire of Tamil Nadu with Mathurai (Madurai) as it's capital city, emerged as a very powerful kingdom under "Sadaiyavarman Sunthara (Sundera) Paandiyan - 2 (A.D.1251-1292)" encompassing the entire territory in South India, East-Central and East India, and a region near overseas, with many kingdoms coming under his rule.

He appointed his younger brother Sadaiyavarman Vira Paandiyan - 1 (A.D.1251-1268) as his co-ruler in the year A.D.1251.

(a) Capture of Chera Nadu
He first conquered Venadu of the Chera country in the year A.D.1251 and the king Cheramaan - Vira Udayamarthanda Varma Thiruvadi was captured by Sadaiyavarman Vira Paandiyan on behalf of his elder brother Sadaiyavarman Sunthera Paandiyan under whom he was a co-regent. On the Chera king accepting the Pandiyan suzerainty and agreeing to pay tributes to him, was allowed to rule his region in Chera country under the new title as "Vira Udayamarthanda Varma Thiruvadi - Vira Paandiyadeva".

(b) Capture of Chola Nadu
Thereafter he invaded and captured the Chola country and made Rajendra Chola - 3 to pay tribute annually and allowed him to continue his rule. With the death of Rajendra Chola - 3 the Chola country came under the full control of Sunthera Paandiyan. Thus came the end of the great Tamil Chola empire of Tamil Nadu, after nearly four centuries from it's inception.

(c) Defeat of Hoysalas in North-Central Tamil Nadu and capture of Western Ganga region in South Karnataka
The Hoysala Vira Narasimha II's son Vira Someshwara extended their authority over north Tamil Nadu around 1225, making the city of Kannanur Koppam closer to Srirangam as his capital. Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan defeated him at Kannanur Koppam in Tamil Nadu and captured the Western Gangetic region in south Karnataka

(d) Defeat of Banas of North-East Thondaimandalam of Tamil Nadu
He moved towards the Banas (Vaanar) of Banappaadi of North-West Thondaimandalam and captured his region Vallam (Banappadi) of Tamil Nadu who escaped capture and Bana country fell into the hands of Sunthara Paandiyan.

(e) Defeat of Pallavas in North-East Tamil Nadu
Kopperunchinga - II (reigned c. 1243-1279 CE) was a Pallava king of Kaadava line with their capital at Senthamangalam played a major role in the political affairs of the Tamil country. Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan next waged war with the Kadava king Koperunchingan defeated at Senthamangalam which put an end to the Kaadava dynasty in Tamil Nadu.

(f) Capture of Kongu region of North-West Tamil Nadu
Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan further sent an expedition under his younger brother and co-ruler Sadaiyavarman Vira Pandiyan his co-ruler to Kongu region of Tamil Nadu which was captured and left it be completely to be ruled by him.

(g) Defeat of Telungu Chodas at Kanchi North Tamil Nadu and capture of their other regions in South Andhra Pradesh
During this period in south Andhra Pradesh the Telugu-Choda (Telungu Chola) king Vijayakandagopaladeva (A.D.1250-83) ruled Cudappah, Nellore, Chitoor of south Andhra Pradesh and the region of Kanchi of Tamil nadu as his new capital city.
Sunderapaandiyan waged war on him and this battle Vijayakandagopaladeva met his death, and the Kanchi of Tamil Nadu, Nellore, Chitoor and Cuddapah the southern regions of Andhra Pradesh too came under Paandiyan rule.

(h) Capture of Kakatiya region (at Warangal) in central Andhra Pradesh
Then he turned his attention towards the Kakatiyas under Ganapathi (A.D.1199-1262) ruling from Orugallu of that period the present Warangal in north Andhra Pradesh. The Kakatiya Ruler Ganapathi after his defeat gave the reigns of his kingdom at Orungallu and the northern and central regions of present Andhra Pradesh under his rule, to his daughter the Rudramadevi (A.D.1261-1289) who ruled over same for some years, accepting the Paandiyan suzerainty.

(i) Capture of Somavamsi region (at Cuttack) and whole of Oddisa
Then he moved towards Kathaka (Kataka=Cuttack)) capital city in Utkala country the present central Odisha (Orrisa) and defeated king Narasimhadeva - I (1238–1264) of the Eastern Gangas and called himself as the lord of Tri-Kalinga present Odidisa. (Tri-Kalinga = Oddara in south Utkala in the central and Kalinga in the north - of present Oddisa)

(j) Capture of "Gangetic region" of North-Eest India by Sadaiyavarman Vira Paandiyan the co-ruler
The forces of Sadaiyavarman Vira Paandiyan the co-ruler with Sadaiyavarman Sunthera Paandiyan went further beyond Oddisa North-East towards Ganges river, and captured the regions on both sides of Ganges in the present region of West Bengal.

(k) Capture of the northern half of Sri Lanka
He sent another expedition to Sri Lanka under his general Ariya Chakkaravarthi who defeated the Sri Lankan King Bhuvanekabahu - 1 (A.D.1271-1283) at his capital city Yapahuva and returned to Tamil Nadu with the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha among other treasures. However the subsequent Sri Lankan King Parakramabahu visted Tamil Nadu and made peace terms with Sunthara Pandiyan who with a view of promoting goodwill, returned the Sacred Relic which was handed back to him on his return. The general Arya Chakkravarthi stationed himself in the north most region of Sri Lanka and remained as a viceroy of Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan in Sri Lanka.

He handed back to the respective kingdoms to it's earlier Rulers on their acceptance of the Paandiyan suzerainty over their countries, and on agreeing to pay tributes. Thus the Paandiyan kingdom gradualy rose to it's zenith and prosperity.

Note: Andhra region was inbetween Krishna and Godavari rivers and Oddisa region was inbetween Godavari and Mahanadi rivers. Medieval Oddisa comprised of three kingdoms, namely Oddara (ancient Mekala) in south, Utkala in the centre and Kalinga in the north. The Oddisa region which comprised these three kingdoms was also known as Tri-Kalinga beyond which was south-eastern region of present Bengal

Thus the Pandiyan Empire reached it's zenith with Western Ganga country in "south-west of Karnataka state", and the Eastern Ganga country in the "north-east Odissa state (Kataka = the present Cuttack region)" and the regions on 'either side' of the river Ganges (Gauda desa) - as its northern bounderies - with whole of (present) Tamil Nadu and Kerala (former Tamil Chera Nadu) encompassed within, and the northern half of "Sri Lanka" being the southern boundary, while east and west being the "oceans".

The Vira Paandiyan who lead the expeditions to the Ganges river on behalf of Sadaiyavarman Sunthera Paandiyan held - religious functions celebrating his "war expeditions" (vijaya-abishekam) and "victory expeditions" (vira-abhishekams) at 'Thillai Perum Koyil' (Chidambarem) commemorating same. The Paandiyan Emperor Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan with all his victories over so many regions, also assumed the new title as "Em Mandalamumum kondarulina Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiya Devar"

Evidences for section (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), and (g)

".......Sri Sundara Pandiya Perumal the ornament of the Lunar race, the Mathava of the city of Madura, the eradicator of Kerala race, a second Rama in plundering the city of Lanka, the thunder bolt to the mountain which is the Chola race, the Pakala to the herds of elephants which are the Kathakas, the devastator of the hill forts of the various enemies, the jungle fire to the forest which is Vira Gandagopala the lord of Kanchi the excellent city, the tiger to the deer which is Ganapathi (of Kakatiyas), the establisher of the suppliant kings, the Parameswara of Maharajadhirajas the ruler of three worlds......."
Inscription of Sadaiyavarman Sundera Pandiyan - 2 on the west base of first gopuram at Thirumala Temple.
Thiruppathi Devasthanam Inscriptions - Vol 1, Ins No: 45

Evidences for section (e), (f), and (g)

"......The famous king Sundara Pandyadeva having destroyed the Andhra and Utkala kings and anointing himself as a hero at Kanchi rules the earth.
Inscription of Sadaiyavarman Sundera Pandiyan - 2 on the west base of first gopuram at Thirumala Temple.
Thiruppathi Devasthanam Inscriptions - Vol 1, Ins No: 50

".....From the victorious city of Kataka (Kataka Vishaye) the most devout worshipper of (the god)
Mahesvara (Siva), the Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja, and Paramesara, the ornament of the Somakula the lord of the three-Kalinga.......Maha Bhavaguptadeva....." Plate B
".....a town named Yayatinagara on Mahanadi......a king named Janamejaya.....his son Yayati.....From the town Yayatinagara the most devout worshipper of (the god) Mahesvara (Siva), the Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja, and Paramesara, the ornament of the Somakula the lord of the three-Kalinga.......Maha Bhavaguptarajadeva .....' Plate F
Kataka (Cuttack) Inscriptions of Somavamsi Kings of Tri-Kalinga
Epigraphia Indica - Vol 3, Inscription 47, Plate B & F (Page 350 & 358)

Evidences for section (e), (f), and (g)

"Poomalar valar thikal thirumakal pukalaakam....."

"......குச்சரரும் ஆரியரும் கோசலரும் கொங்கணரும்
வச்சிரரும் காசியரும் மாகதரும் . . .
அருமணரும் சோனகரும் அவந்தியரு முதலாய
ருநிலமா முடிவேந்தர் றைஞ்சிநின்று திறைகாட்ட......"

".....வடிநெடுவாளும் வயப்பெரும்புரவியும்
தொடிநெடுந் தோளுமே துணையெனச் சென்று
சேரனும் தானையும் செருக்களத் தொழிய
வாரசும் புலரா மலைநாடு நூறப்......."

"......பருதிமாமரபிற் பொருதிறல் மிக்க
சென்னியைத் (the Chola) திறைகொண்டு திண்தோள்வலியிற்
பொன்னி நாட்டு போசலத்தரைசர்களைப்
புரிசையிலடைத்துப் பொங்குவீரப் புரவியும்
செருவிற லாண்மைச் சிங்கணன் முதலாய
தண்டத் தலைவரும் தானையும் அழிபடத்
முதுகிடு போசலன் தன்னொடு முனையும்
அதுதவ றென்றவன் தன்னை வெற்பேற்றி
நட்பது போலுட் பகையாய் நின்ற
சேமனைக்கொன்று சினந் தணிந்தருளி
நண்ணுதல் பிறரால் எண்ணுதற்கரிய
கண்ணனூர்க்கொப்பத்தைக் கைக்கொண்டருளி....."

"......பொன்னிசூழ் செல்வப் புதுப்புனல் நாட்டைக்
கன்னி நாடென காத்தருள் செய்யப்
பெருவரை யரணிற் பின்னருகாக்கிய
கருநா டரசனைக் களிறுதிரை கொண்டு......"

".......துலங்கொளி மணியும் சூழிவேழமும்
லங்கை காவலனைக் றைகொண்டருளி
வருதிறை மறுத்து அங்கவனைப்பிடித்துக்
கருருமுகில் நிகளங் காலினிற் கோத்து......"

"......வேந்தர்கண் டறியா விறற்றிண் புரிசைச்
சேந்தமங்கலசெழும்பதிமுற்றிப்
பல்லவன் நடுங்கப் பலபோ ராடி
நெல்விளை நாடும் நெடும்பெரும் பொன்னும்
பரும யானையு பரியு முதலிய
அரசுரிமைக் கைக்கொண்டு அரசவற்களித்துத்......."

".....யொத்தமுடி சூடி யுயர் பேராணை
திக்கெட்டும் நடப்பச் செழுந்தவஞ் செய்த.......
உலகமுழுதுடை யாளொடும் வீற்றிருந்தருளிய
சிரீகோச் சடைய வன்மரான
திரிபுவன சக்கர வர்த்திகள்சிரீ சுந்தர பாண்டிய
தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு ஏழாவது......"
Meikeerthi of Sadaiyavarman Sunderapaandiyan - 2
South Indian Inscriptions Vol 5, Insc No: 459

Evidences for section (g)

"....மீளா வழிசெல்ல வேணாடர் தங்களை வென்ற தடம்
தோளான் மதுரைமன் சுந்தர பாண்டியன் சூழ்ந்திறைஞ்சி
ஆளான மன்னவர் தன்ஏவல் செய்ய அவனி முட்ட
வாளால் வழிதிறந் தான்வட வேந்தரை மார்திறந்தே'.....

".....வட்ட வெண்குடை மன்னர் தம்புகல்
காண்டு மாமுடி கொண்டுபோர்
மாறு கொண்டெழு போசளன் தடை
கொண்டு வாணன் வனம்புகத்
தொட்ட வெம்படை வீரன் வெற்றி(யே)
புனைந்த சுந்தர மாறன்முன்
சூழிவிட்ட தெலிங்கர் சேனை(யை)
துணித்து வென்ற களத்துமேல்
விட்ட வெம்பரி பட்ட பொழுதெழு
சோரி வாரியை ஒக்கு நீர்
மேல் மிதந்த நிணப்பெருந்திரள்
வெள்நு ரைத்திரள் ஒக்குமுன்
பட்டவெங்கரி யந்த வீர(ரே)
படிந்த மாமுகில் ஒக்கும்வீழ்
படுமணிக் குடை அங்கு வந்(து)எழு
பரிதி மண்டலம் ஒக்குமே......"

"......வாக்(கு)இயல் செந்தமிழ் சுந்தர பாண்டியன் வாள் அமரில்
வீக்கிய வன்கழல் கண்ட கோபாலனை விண்ணுலகில்
போக்கிய பின்(பு)அவன் தம்பியர் போற்றப் புரந்(து)அரசில்
ஆக்கிய வார்த்தை பதிநா லுலகமும் ஆகியதே......"

".....புயலும் தருவும் பொருகைப் புவனேக வீரபுனல்
வயலும் தரளம்தரு கொற்கைக் காவல வாரணப்போர்
முயலும் கணபதி மொய்த்த செஞ்சோதி முகத்(து)இரண்டு
கயலுண்(டு) எனும்அதுவோ முனி(வு)ஆறிய காரணமே......"

".....காரேற்ற தண்டலைக் காவிரி நாடனைக் கானுலவும்
தேரேற்றி விட்ட செழுந்தமிழ்த் தென்னவன் சென்றெதிர்ந்து
தாரேற்ற வெம்படை ஆரியர் தண்டு படத் தனியே
போரேற்று நின்ற பெருவார்த்தை இன்றும் புதுவார்த்தையே......."
Inscription of Sadai' Sunthara Paandiya - 2 on the right wall of eastern outer Gopuram of Chithambaram Temple
South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 4, Insc No 619, 620

Evidences for section (g)

"......கொங்கர் உடல் அழியக் குத்திஇரு கோட்(டு)எடுத்து
வெங்கண் அழலில் வெதுப்புமோ - மங்கையர்கள்
சூழத் தாமம்புனையும் சுந்தரத்தோள் மீனவனுக்(கு)
ஈழத்தான் இட்ட இறை.

கோச்சடையவர்மரான திரிபுவன சக்கரவர்திகள் கொங்கு ஈழம் கொண்டு கொடுவடுகு கோடழித்து கங்கையிருக்கரையும் காவிரியும் கைக்கொண்டு.......காடவன் திறையிட கண்டினிதிருந்து வீராபிஷேகமும் விஜயாபிஷேகமும் பன்னியருளின ஸ்ரீ வீரபாண்டிய தேவர்க்கு........
Inscriptions of the Pudukkotai State - Insc No: 370 & 372

".......கொங்கு ஈழம் கொண்டு கொடுவடுகு கோடழித்து கங்கை இருகரையும் காவிரியும் கைக்கொண்டு வல்லா(ல)னை வென்று தில்லை மாநகரில் வீற்றிருந்து வீராபிஷேகமும் விஜயாபிஷேகமும் பன்னியருளிய கோச்சடையவர்மரான திரிபுவன சக்க்ரவர்த்திகள் சிறீ வீரபாண்டிய தேவருக்கு......."
South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 23, Insc No: 131

Evidences for section (g)

".....Yajapura katake pravesa hoila......."

".....raja Yajapura nagara Caudavare Katake vije kari thanti...."
Madala Panji - Ed by Mahanti, Page 22, 34

Note: "Caudavare Kataka" means "Gauda desa" (the present West Bengal) adjacent to Kataka vijaya adjacent to Ganges river.

Evidences for section (g)

(1) Having caused to long for the other world (i.e. to set or die) that Moon of the
(country}, by whom this lotus-pond? of "Sriranga" had been reduced to a pitiable state,
re-instating in this (lotus-pond of Sriranga) (the goddess) Lakshmi, who is worshipped in
the three worlds - king Sundara-Pandya rose full of brilliancy (like) the Sun........

(2) The king who was the Mahendra (Paandiya) of the glorious (city of) Madhura, built for the lord
of Ranga a shrine (alaya) with the gold which (he) had given by frequently performing the
ascending of the scales (tulabaram)

(4) The Sun among kings gave to Sarngin (Vishnu), who resides at Ranga, a garland
of emeralds, which (he) had taken from the treasure of the Kathaka king........

(8) When the king who propagated the race of the Moon (and) who was the Chief of
the world, had carried away the wealth of th capital of the Kathaka (king) who was distressed
by terrible single-combats......."
Sanskrit Inscription of Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan at Sri Rangam Temple, Thirutchi, Tamil Nadu.
Epigraphica Indica - Vol 3, Page 350

Evidences for section (g)

Ma'bar extends in length from Kúlam (Kollam in the west) to Níláwar (Nellore in the north), nearly three hundred parasangs along the sea-coast, and in the language of that country the king is called Dewar, which signifies the Lord of Empire. The curiosities of Chín and Máchín, and the beautiful products of Hind and Sind, laden on large ships (which they call junks), sailing like mountains with the wings of the winds on the surface of the water, are always arriving there. The wealth of the Isles of the Persian Gulf in particular and in part the beauty and adornment of other countries, from 'Irák (Iraq) and Khurásán as far as Rúm and Europe, are derived from Ma'bar (Tamil Nadu) which is so situated as to be the key of Hind.

A few years since the Dewar was Sundar Pandí (Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan) who had three brothers, each of whom established himself in independence in some different country. The eminent prince the margrave (marzbán) of Hind, Takíu-d dín 'Abdu-r Rahmán, son of Mu-hammadu-t Tíbí, whose virtues and accomplishments have for a long time been the theme of praise and admiration among the chief inhabitants of that beautiful country, was the Dewar's deputy, minister, and adviser, and was a man of sound judgment. Fitan, Malí Fitan and Kábil* were made over to his possession, for he is still worthy (kábil) of having the Khutba read in his name, and, notwithstanding these high dignities, is not worthy of seditions (fitna).

It was a matter of agreement that Maliku-l Islám Jamálu-d dín and the merchants should embark every year from the island of Kais and land at Ma'bar (Tamil Nadu) 1,400 horses of his own breed, and of such generous origin that, in comparison with them the most celebrated horses of antiquity, such as the Rukhs of Rustam, etc., should be as worthless as the horse of the chess-board. It was also agreed that he should embark as many as he could procure from all the isles of Persia, such as Katíf, Lahsá, Bahrein, Hurmúz and Kulhátú. The price of each horse was fixed from of old at 220 dínárs of red gold, on this condition, that if any horses should sustain any injury during the voyage, or should happen to die, the value of them should be paid from the royal treasury. It is related by authentic writers, that in the reign of Atábak Abú Bakr, 10,000 horses were annually exported from these places to Ma'bar (Tamil Nadu), Kambáyat, and other ports in their neighbourhood, and the sum total of their value amounted to 2,200,000 dínárs, which was paid out of the overflowing revenues of the estates and endowments belonging to the Hindú temples, and from the tax upon courtezans attached to them, and no charge was incurred by the public treasury......"

In the months of the year 692 H. (A.D.1292) the above-mentioned Dewar the ruler of Ma'bar died, and left behind him much wealth and treasure.

Up to the time of the fall of the mighty Chola Empire under Rajendra Chola - 3, many North Indian kingdoms and kingdom overseas continued to pay tributes to the Cholas, and with the devastation and capture of Chola country by Maravarman Sundera Paandiyan - 1 these kingdoms continued to pay the tributes to their new overlord Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan. The tributes came forth from Villavar (Chera Country), Konkanar (Kongu country), Malawar, Gujjarar, Thelungar, Kalingar, Magadhar, Kosalar, Vikkalar, Sembiyar, Pallavar, Singalar, and Cheenar - kingdoms.

Religious endowments made to Temples in Tamil Nadu

He built the East Outer Gopuram at Madurai Meenaakshi Temple and the West Outer Gopuram at the Chithamparam Siva Temple and gave many endowments to these Temples. He also paved the Karuvarai Vimanams at these Temples and at the Sri Rangam Temples with gold sheet coverings and performed Tulabara ceremony at this temple. He also donated the very valuable Emerald Necklace to Sri Ranganather at Sri Rangam which fell into his hands when he defeated the Kataka (Cuttack of Oddisa State) king.

https://youtu.be/uGiyKNyN27A

This empire lasted for 95 years upto A.D.1311 the year of demise of Maaravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan (A.D.1292-1311) his son and the successor to Paandiyan throne. The Sadaiyavarman Suthara Paandiyan - 2 the greatest among the later Paandiyas of the city of Mathurai needs due recognition and hence it is appropriate the Mathurai International Port be named after him as "Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan International Airport" or "Sadai Sunthara Paandiyan International Airport" - in short after him.

Note: The length of the name is comparable with the names of some International Airports and other Airports of India as listed below:

(1) Thirutchirappalli International Airport
(2) Visakapattnam Airport
(3) Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
(4) Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport
(5) Sardar Vallabbhai Patel International Airport
(6) Charan Singh Internatinal Airport
(7) Nethaji Subas Chandra Bose International Airport etc etc.
(8) Bangalore International Airport was renamed as Kempegowda International Airport

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