Lot of debates going on about the Chola dynasty's religious identity.

Thankfully, the Cholas themselves have left plenty of surprising data that answer such debates.

Leaving politics and ideologies aside, if we look at history, the truth emerges without a shadow of doubt!

A🧵!

The Cholas were paranoid.

They recorded every detail about themselves they could: on temple inscriptions, on copper plates, on palm leaves.

Sometimes they said the same data on 3 these sources.

So even if someone tweaks one source, the others remain intact for corroboration!

Chola Copper Plates provide a detailed lineage that tracks their geneaology.

Starting with Thirumaal (Vishnu), Brahma and eventually Surya.

Cholas considered themselves Suryavanshis.

Interestingly, the devout Shiva bhakts Cholas, name Vishnu as the first king of their dynasty!

The list goes on with Puranic kings like Harishchandra, Dushyanth, Bharatha and Bhagiratha.

Then we arrive at Raghu-vamsa.

Raghu is listed as the 36th king, promptly followed by Dasharath and Lord Rama.

Cholas consider themselves belonging to the lineage of Shri Ram!

Kochchenganan, a legendary king is referenced in Puranas as a spider which constructed web over the linga to prevent Sunlight directly falling on Shiva.

The spider was reborn as a Chola king.

He is credited for building 70 Shiva temples, by Vaishnavite Thirumangai Azhwar!