1838.] Account of two kings of the Vannier race. 401 



The spies discovered that at intervals of rest from war, Candava was 

 entirely enslaved by the leader of a band of dancing girls, and announced 

 the circumstance to the chief of the Wiyulav&r tribe. He came to 

 Cupachi, and gave her the offer of four bags of gold, as a bribe, to cut 

 off the head of Candava ; to which, induced by avarice, she consented: 

 appointing a time for the Poligar, and his people to come. They came 

 as appointed. Cupachi gave Candava poison, in a cake, from her own 

 hands ; which speedily took effect. She cut off his head, and putting 

 it in a dish, brought it to the appointed place, and gave it to the Po- 

 ligar's people. After satisfying themselves of the identity of the 

 head, they cut off the head of the traitress, and went away. In the 

 morning his younger brother, Chetthu rayen, hearing this news,- 

 and being extremely grieved, took the hundred companions of Cupa- 

 chi ; and, carrying them to a tank, after tying them in a row like cows, 

 he cut off their heads : in proof whereof that tank is to this day called 

 Pinnai-yeri (the lake of corpses). He also burnt down their houses; 

 and the place is to this day called Cupachi hunnu (the heap of Cupa- 

 chi) ; and is a place of desolation. He also took the watchmen, who 

 had neglected their duty, and cut off their heads, at the above tank. 

 The Wiyalavar-poligah came with his troops, and fell on the fort. 

 During twenty-six days, fighting was carried on, with great loss on both 

 sides ; till, at length, the attacking Poligar took the fort ; which, after 

 that time, became a dependency of the Anagilndi kings, who protected 

 the agriculturists. 



The truth of the preceding narrative is attested by all the people 

 living around about that neighbourhood. 



Section 4. An account of the Pagoda of Tiruvidaichuram (the 

 above fort J in the Arcot district. 



The original date of this place is remote in antiquity ; the fane was 

 built by Kulottunga Cholan. It was repaired by other Cholas, and 

 Rayers. The St'hala Purana is lost. But the legend is to this effect, 

 that an Apper and Sundarar (the poets) were on their way to sing the 

 praises of Karz Kundam (a hill fane) ; they inquired of a shepherd 

 (at this place) if there was any emblem of Siva near, who pointed 

 them to one under a tree, and disappeared. Considering this as an 

 apparition of Siva, they chanted ten stanzas concerning the place ; 

 which are in existence down to the present time. As the Chola king 

 adorned and endowed this fane, there may be an inscription ; but it is 

 reported to be in recondite Tamil. They further say that, directly 

 under the view of the bullock of Siva, very much wealth is buried. 



