As regards the preservation of the signs and symbols of ancient time the tamils generally lag behind, we should say. We brag about our past glory and the greatness of our ancient rulers but we don't give proper care and attention for the preservation of the symbols or monuments of our ancient glory. And, Nallur Rajdhani stands as a glaring example to this. Even those handful of historical monuments existing in the city which was once the capital are in a very pitiable state. Yamunaari which is full of bushes, Pandarakulam which is plunged deep in sickening silence with debris strewn all over, the space of land where, it is believed, the Koppai fort that has ruins fold the history of an important period of time,stoodonce - all these stand, telling us numerous stories. Though there are but afew monuments that enunciate the pride and glory of Nallur Rajdhani, theexisting plot / land names, street names and the like enable us to gatherthe details of the city lay - out of Nallur Rajadhani, atleast to some extent.

The temples that are there now such as Sattanadhar temple,
Veiyilugandha pillayar koil, Kailasanadhar aalayam, Veeramaakaaliamman
aalayam, Nallaikandan aalayam - all these had been demolished by the
Porthugese and then reconstructed at a later stage. Though these were not
structures constructed during the period when Nallur was a Rajdhani, i.e,
the capital city, as they are the replicas of the temples of the city when
Nallur was the 'Rajdhani they too remain, albeit in an indirect manner, as
the monuments that highlight the city layout of Nallur Rajdhani.

The Royal Market:
The junction where the street that goes eastward towards the Nallur
temple and the way to the Point Pedro street come together is called
'Muthrai Santhai'. During the period when Nallur was the capital city of
Tamil kings the market place must have been here only. While travelling
through this place called 'Muthirai Santhai', my thoughts invariably
wandered for a moment towards those bygone days when the place would have
been full of din and noise and hectic activities and the Arya King who used
to watch its busy routine from his palace.

The Labourer's Southeast side segment:
Generally the market would be situated the centre of the city. Going
by this general rule and keeping the possibility of this market - place
having been the centre of Nallur Rajdhani when we carried out the field -
work through the city we could come across a lot of surprising factual
informations and statistics. We found out that the names that were in vogue
in the area situated southeastward to this market place were generally of
the workers' clan. 'Thattaan Theru' (Goldsmith's street), 'Saayakkara
theru' (Dyer's street), Coppersmith street, Dyer's street and so on indicate
that the area could have been the workers' habitat once upon a time'

Traders' Soldiers' and Royal Staff's locality:
The streets on the southwest side and the names of the plots there
generally give us the impression that the area could have been the habitat
of traders, royal staff, soldiers' and such other sections of the society.

King, Brahmin and the Court bard's Area:
That the place situated Northwestward to the royal market place was a
very important locality of the Nallur Rajdhani era is proclaimed by the
names of lands and streets there and also by Pandarakulam. The
following can be said as areas / places of importance.

1. Sangili thoeppu (Sangili grove)
2. Sangiliyan Veedhi (Sangiliyan street)
3. Arasa Veedhi (Royal road)
4. Pandaramaaligai Valaivu (The arch of Pandaramaaligai)
5. Pandarakulam (Kulam - pond)
6. Arasakesari Valaivu - (The arch of Arasakesari)
7. Kurukkal Valaivu - (Kurukkal arch)
8. Arasaveli - (Royal space)
9. Mandhirimanai (Minister's abode)

The very names Sangili thoeppu, Sangiliyan Veedhi, Arasaveedhi, Arasaveli, Pandara maaligai Valaivu, Pandara Kulam stand for the link that existed between the tamil regime and themselves. In the names such as pandara Maaligai, Pandara Kulam, the term 'Pandara', according to many, refers to the Tamil king. Mudaliar Kula Sabanathan opines that the term refers to Pararasasekara Pandaram. There were many kings, having names that
ended with the term 'Pandaram'. 'Puviraraja Pandaram' was one of them. One of the sons of Lakshmidevi, the legal queen of Pararasasekaran was also pandaram. The coconut grove encompassing some six acre area is called Pandara Valavu. In a portion of this grove which is close to the present Nallur market place and which isfacing the street 'Paruthithurai Veedhi' there is a pillar with the words'Pandaramaaligai' engraved on it. Closely, there is a statue of Vairavarwith a small porch. And in this porch the following words are sculpted.

"Entrance of Pandara Maalagai, a place of two thousand year old and
which the Tamil kings preserved and safeguarded and prayed and where
the Nallai 'Theradip Padhi Urai Padhi'. The temple of Sri Bairava and
Aadhimoolam, the god of gods - is inside'.

Arasakesari Valavu The Arch of Arrasakesari:
The name of a piece of land seen in this area / locality is Arasakesari
Valaivu. This place reminds one of the Tamil poet Arasakesari who had
translated Kalidasa's work in sanskrit language into Tamil. The poet
Mayilvaagana Pulavar speaks of Arasakesari as the son-in-law of
Pararasasekaran:

' ……… Arasakesari, who was the brother-in-law of Paranirubasinga
and the son-in-law of Pararasasekaran translated the book called
'Raguvamsam' written in a worth-Indian language and, going on
foot reciting it all along the way he reached Thiruvarur...'. (Vaibhavamalai
50-51)

But, Mudaliar Rasanayakam holds that he is Singai Pararasasekaran's
brother-in-law:  According to Swami Gnanaprakasa ,Raguvamsa was written during the reign of Edhirmanna Singa Pararasasekaran. It is the confusion which prevails as to whether the above - mentioned Pararasasekaran was singai Pararasekaran or Pararasasekaran the Eighth that has resulted in the contradiction seen above.

'Kurukkal Valavu':
The present location of Nallur Kandaswami temple is called Kurukkal
Valavu. It might be be cause it was the habitat of the brahmins during the
period of the Tamil kings' rule that the place had earned this name, i.e-
Kurukkal Valavu.

Sangili thoeppu and Mandhirimanai:
The structure which is called 'Mandhirimanai' these days is said to belong to the Fay end period of the 19th century. Several aspects of European and Dravidian architectural styles can be perceived in this construction. The piece of land on which this Mandhirimanai stands is called Sangili thoppu. Determining whether this area belonged to the minister or the king is a bit complex. Yet, the fact that places like Arasaveli, Arasaveedhi, Sangiliyan Veedhi, Pandara Kulam, Pandara Maaligai Valavu and such other which bear exclusive significance for the royal clan alone and the fact that the place where the above - mentioned 'Mandhirimanai' is situated is called Sangili thoeppu are noteworthy. There could have been groves owned by the Tamil kings. Later on during the regime of the foreigners, during the period of those successors of the Tamil Kings or even after that this grove could have become the dwelling place of a minister. There is room for these possibilities too. All these are monuments that proclaim the significance of the aforesaid Northwest region.

Northeast region having royal and divine significance:

We can name the following as the important historical monuments that
are seen in the north - east region.

1. Yamunaari
2. The place where the church is located today. This is the place where
the old Kandaswami temple had been.
3. The front portion of a palace which reflects the style of Dutch
"Ollandhu" architecture. (This is called `Kalthorana Vaayil, Sangili thoppu
Vaayil.

The land on which this porch is situated bears the name `Pandiya
Maaligai Valavu' (the arch of Pandiyan palace). These above mentioned historical monuments proclaim loudly that this place was one of royal and divine significance.