Virasolanar River Veera Cholan river
The Virasolanar river at Manganallur Village,Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, flowing at the brim in June 2025.
Native name	வீர சோழன் ஆறு
Location
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Region	South India
Origin	Thiruvidaimarudur
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Bay of Bengal
• location	Tharangambadi
• elevation	17.00m
Length	145 kilometres (90 mi)

TheVirasolanar river, also known asVeera Cholan river, is a significantdistributary of theCauvery River in theCauvery Delta ofTamil Nadu and theKaraikal region of the Union Territory ofPuducherry, India.^[1]

The river originates nearThiruvidaimarudur^[2] inThanjavur district and flows eastward throughMayiladuthurai,^[3]Nagapattinam,^[4] andKaraikal,^[5] before emptying into the Bay of Bengal nearTharangambadi.^[1] The river supports local agriculture, particularly paddy cultivation, and plays an important ecological and cultural role in the region. Government records such as weir tender documents mark locations up to 145 kilometres (90 mi)^[6][7]

The name Veera Cholan refers to a valorousChola king, though no specific historical inscriptions directly identify the river’s origin. The river is among the manyCauvery distributaries that sustained the agrarian economy of theChola dynasty.

In recent decades, the river has been part ofirrigation development schemes, includingWorld Bank–assisted projects under theCauvery Delta Sub Basin program, aimed at modernizing weirs, banks, and sluices along the river to improve water management.^[8]

The river plays an essential role in the seasonal ecology of the delta. During the monsoon, it carries substantial freshwater flow, while in the dry season, the water level often drops significantly. In extreme conditions such as the 2016 Tamil Nadu drought, parts of the river nearly dried up, causing groundwater shortages in affected villages.^[9][10]

The river irrigates rice fields, supports wetland biodiversity, and helps maintain the Great Vedaranyam Swamp, a Ramsar-listed wetland. The swamp and associated mangroves are important habitats for migratory birds, aquatic species, and fisheries. Although the river has limited industrial pollution, challenges such as water overuse, siltation, and encroachment remain concerns. Following the 2004 tsunami, restoration efforts were initiated to strengthen the river’s banks and improve coastal resilience.^[11]

The Veera Cholan River holds cultural and religious significance in the region. Notably, it flows past the Mahalingeswarar Temple in Thiruvidaimarudur, one of Tamil Nadu’s important Shaivite pilgrimage sites. The temple’s sacred tank, known as the Mahalingaswamy Kulam, is believed to be fed directly by the Virasolanar River.^[5] Devotees consider bathing in the river a ritual purification.^[12]

• List of rivers of Tamil Nadu

11°00′59″N79°45′55″E / 11.0163°N 79.7654°E /11.0163; 79.7654

• Rivers of Tamil Nadu
• India river stubs
• Tributaries of the Kaveri River

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