History

Aragalur (Arakalur / Aragaloor / Aragazhur) was the capital of Magadai mandalam ruled by the well known Bana Chieftains around 1190-1260 CE. Aragalurudaiya Ponparappinan Rajarajadevan alias Magadesan was the greatest in this dynasty. Pallava inscriptions say, Chief Vanakovaraiyan Rajarajadevan Vannenjan alias Vannenja, a subordinate of    Kopperunjingadeva - Kadava dynasty, lived in Aragalur around 1254 CE.

 The chief at Aragalur also has a family title of 'Ponparappinan'- referring to the gilding of the central shrine of the Arunachaleswara Temple at Tiruvannamalai and 'Bana' the clan / family title. This dynasty ruled at the same period as Kulothunga Chola III, and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I. Pandian won over Magadesan in 1251 CE but returned the kingdom back. Magadesan ruled Aragalur with out being subordinate and hence was captured and kept at Sankagiri fort. The ponparappinan had the rishabha and the garuda as his insignia. The 'ponparappinan's have donated generously to various temples. This donations are found in the inscriptions of Elavanasur and Jambai of Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Viluppuram  District, and Tiruppalappandal, Cuddalore Taluk, South Arcot District. This kingdom ruler was raided by the Hoysalas more than six times and the Hoysala king titled him self as ‘Magararajyadisapatta’ and ‘Magararajya Nirmulana’. (Magadai Mandalam in Tamil is translated in Kanada as Magara Rajya).

The Hoysalas captured around 1000 elephants and lots of wealth and women after the defeat. Tirumalai Nayak, governor of Vijayanagara Empire had to intervene on the right to worship at the Sri Kamanada Eswar temple and he had to get support of the local heads and the larger public. The village was once ruled by a prince named Ekambara Mudaliyar (Ekambara Vaanan)?) . Buddhist temple in the outskirts of Aragalur indicate the possibility of Kalabhras flourishing in this region between 3rd and 6th century. Historically, the villagers cultivated ragi , cholam and cambu.

Epigraphs regarding the Aragalur (also known as Aarai & Aarai Nagar in ancient times) rulers are found at Narattampundi, Aragandanallur, Tiruvellari, Kudimiyanmalai, Tiruparankundram, Tiruvannamalai & Tiruvanaikkavl. An old milestone mentioned the distance to Kanchipuram that was found at Aragalur is now displayed in Salem Museum.