There is an ancient coin preserved in Chennai museum: ..ori.. Tamil writings on one side.. A small mountain like inverted W, with flow of river and rocks on other side.
Kudavoil researched and found that such place exists near Thirukkattupalli and the stone beds are natural. According to him THIS WAS ORIGINAL KALLANAI . Trichy Kallanai is Nayakar-built. Nearby place was Nemam Aayirathali (1000 lingas Temple). In mid 1950s when there was a flood, a bund was constructed by the locals to arrest the flow of water and alas! majority of our 1000 lingas were used as stones in the bund. Pallavas are known for such grandeurs (1000 lingas etc).. Nemam aayirathali was during Nandhivarman period... before Vijayalayan...located close to Nandhipuram / Thirukkanbdiyur!
I have been a silent listener all this time. I am a fan of PS and I have read it so many times. First time I read it when I was in school and and after that i have read it countless times in the last 18 years.
I have been around these places you mentioned and I remember hearing about that "Nemam" - all this was a long time ago. But, Is this what is called as Old Kallanai?
Interesting details. What is the period of this coin and whose coin is it anyway ?
I'm not fully comfortable with this new kallanai idea because at that time only uraiyur was famous. i don't think thanjapuri - the modern tanjore shot to prominance during the period of karikal chola - not sure.