Aragalur ("six moat place") is a village in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Aragalur (Arakalur / Aragaloor / Aragazhur) was the capital of Magadai mandalam ruled by the well known Bana chieftains around 1190-1260 CE.
Pallava inscriptions say, Chief Vanakovaraiyan Rajarajadevan Vannenjan alias Vannenja, a subordinate of Kopperunjingadeva - Kadava dynasty, lived in Aragalur around 1254 CE.
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.
Vasishta Nadi carries the drainage of Kalrayan Hills and flows through Attur, Thalaivasal and Cuddalore district with check dam at Pakkampadi and Periyeri / Aragalur border.
The Eri (agriculture reservoir - diverted from river) feeds many parts of the wet lands.
As an elder put, this village is very well organized based on the labor skills that they provided.
Regions include: Agraharam, Raja Vedi, Valayalkara theru, Kottai (Fort?)
Cattle (Cow, Buffalo, Goat, and Chicken) are grown for the milk, meat, leather and as working animal.
There are private medical practitioners and a veterinarian to take care of the people and the large cattle population.
The Chinnasalem town's railway station serves trains on the route to Mettur, Cuddalore, Nagore, Pondicherry, Salem, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.
Lake fed areas are cultivated with rice and cotton, while the dry lands are more suitable for peanuts (groundnuts) and cassava.
Aragalur celebrates many festivals like Pongal where the friends and relatives of nearby villages are invited.
On the day before Panguni Uthiram, morning sun-ray directly falls on the Lingam and is worshiped at this time by small number of traditional local families.
Sri Kamanada Eswar temple was built prior to 1206 CE and hosts many Epigraphs of historic and Archaeological importance and it is maintained by Tamil Nadu Government Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments ministry.
Bhirava pooja here is recent phenomena - since 17 September 1993CE, and it is getting very popular and the village bustles with transient business, including Aragalur traditional Paniyaram dish.
Ashta Bhairavar icons installed at Aragalur are : Asitanga, Kala, Kapala, Krodha, Rudra, Ruru, Samhara & Unmatta.
Subrahmanyan temple in the Market street (Kadai Veedhi) celebrates Soora Samhaaram every year on the 6th day of Karthika lunar Tamil month.
Temple cars: (Donated by Eramanchi Tulukanna Nayaka 1518 under Vijayanagara Empire ruler Krishnadevaraya) in ruins - not maintained.
These include the panchaboodhas (Five Classical Elements or Tattva worshipped by Vashistha Rishi: Belur Thandodreswarar (land), Ethapur Sambavamoortheswarar (water), Attur Kottai Kayanirmeshwarar (Fire), Aragalur Kamanadeshwarar (Air) & Koogayur Swarnapurieswarar (Sky).