The Great King Ponniyin Selvan - New Floods

Welcome aboard on a voyage of imagination! Come, let's sail through the timeless expanse with the speed of centuries, reaching the depths of ancient history, over a thousand years before the present. Our destination is the Veera Narayana Lake, situated in the southern end of Thiru-Munaipadi, between the Thondai and Chozla Kingdoms. A vast reservoir spreading across one and a half leagues north to south and half a league east to west, it is commonly known as Veeraanatthu Lake, though it was named Veera Narayana Lake in the past.

In the month of August, during the Aadi-Aavani windy season, new floods fill the lake almost to the brim. One who witnesses the overflowing beauty of the Veera Narayana Lake in such a season will undoubtedly recall the brave deeds of our Tamil ancestors with pride and amazement. These ancestors did not work only for their own welfare but also fulfilled tasks that would benefit generations to come.

On the 18th day of the Aadi month, Vallavarayan Vandiya Devan, a young warrior from the Vaanar clan, rode down the banks of the lake on his horse. He was mesmerized by the splendor of the sprawling reservoir and rode along slowly, counting the floodgates that irrigated farmland as far as the eye could see. He felt great admiration for Prince Raja-aditya, who had built this magnificent tank to conserve the waters of the North Cauvery that were going into the sea.

Vandiya Devan felt proud of his friendship with the Chozla prince from such a remarkable dynasty. As he reached the southern end of the lake, he saw the Vadavaaru stream joining the North Cauvery and falling into the lake. A sandy beach had formed on the short distance inside the embankment, where casuarina and wood-apple trees had been planted to prevent flood waters from damaging the embankment. Naanal reeds had grown thickly along the water's edge, adding to the scenic beauty of the place.

...water with the reeds swaying in the breeze was quite mesmerizing.

Vandiya Devan dismounted from his horse and approached the edge of the lake. As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, he noticed something moving in the water. At first, he thought it was a school of fish swimming close to the shore. But then he realized that it was a person swimming towards him.

The person was a woman, and she seemed to be in distress. Vandiya Devan quickly jumped into the water and swam towards her. He reached her just as she was about to sink under the water. He held her tightly and brought her to the shore.

The woman was unconscious, and Vandiya Devan feared that she might be dead. He tried to revive her by rubbing her hands and feet. After a few minutes, the woman opened her eyes and looked at him. She seemed surprised to see him there.

Vandiya Devan asked her if she was alright. The woman nodded weakly and said that she had been swimming in the lake when she got caught in a strong current. She said that she had been struggling to stay afloat when she saw him standing on the shore.

Vandiya Devan helped the woman to stand up and offered to take her to her home. She hesitated at first but then agreed. They walked along the embankment towards the east. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a small hut made of bamboo and thatched with palm leaves.

The woman invited Vandiya Devan inside and offered him a seat. She then disappeared into another room and came back with a towel and a change of clothes for him. Vandiya Devan was surprised by her kindness and hospitality.

As he dried himself and changed into the dry clothes, Vandiya Devan looked around the hut. It was sparsely furnished with a few pots and pans and a mat on the floor. There was a small fireplace in one corner and a thatched roof overhead.

The woman returned with a bowl of hot rice and a curry made of vegetables. Vandiya Devan was hungry and he eagerly started eating. The food was simple but delicious, and he savored every bite.

After he had finished eating, the woman asked him who he was and why he was there. Vandiya Devan told her his name and explained that he was on a mission for the Chozla prince. He also told her about his journey and his love for Tamil Nadu.

The woman listened attentively and then asked him a question that surprised him. She asked him if he knew anything about the legendary city of Puhar, which was said to have been swallowed by the sea.

Vandiya Devan was taken aback by the question. He had heard of the city of Puhar, but he did not know much about it. He asked the woman why she was interested in Puhar.

The woman hesitated for a moment and then said that she had a dream about the city. In her dream, she saw a beautiful city with golden spires and shining walls. She said that she felt drawn to the city and that she wanted to go there.

Vandiya Devan was intrigued by the woman's dream. He had heard of people having prophetic dreams, and he wondered if this woman was one of them. He decided to help her find the city of Puhar.

Thus began an adventure that would take Vandiya Devan and the woman on a journey through time and space. They would face many obstacles and challenges, but they would also discover the true meaning of love, friendship, and loyalty. And in the end, they would find the lost city of Puhar and uncover its secrets.............