Mazhavaraayas or Mazhavars were the

Polygar Palaiyakkarars, or Poligar, (as the British referred to them) in Tamil Nadu refers to the holder of a small kingdom as a feudatory to a greater sovereign. Under this system, ''palayam'' was given for valuable military services rendered by any in ...

s of

Ariyalur Ariyalur () is a town and district headquarters of Ariyalur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is rich in limestone, surrounded with seven cement factories and two sugar factories. The town is located at a distance of from th ...

. They were different from the Mazhavaraya clan who were kins of Chozhas. Their original title being Nayanar, their leader was awarded with Ranavijaya Oppilla Mazhavaraaya title by

Vijayanagara Vijayanagara () was the capital city of the historic Vijayanagara Empire. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, it spread over a large area and included the modern era Group of Monuments at Hampi site in Vijayanagara district, Bellary ...

Kingdom, under whom they served, for defeating certain Prathaparudran and they adopted the title since. Ramanayanar is recorded to be the first of these polygars. The original title of these polygars is Nayanar. In 1735, Rangappa Mazhavaraaya of Ariyalur donated of land to a church.

References

{{reflist Social groups of Tamil Nadu

See also

References