More on Marudhu Pandiyars. Kalayar Koil is an ancient place which finds mention in Sangam literature. It was called as Kanaper Eyil at that time. There was a chieftain, Vengai Marban who was ruling at this place & challenged the Pandyas. The Pandya King Ukkira Peruvezhuthi 
had to toil hard to defeat him after a fierce war.Such was the kind of fortress Kanaper had.Marudhus made this place impregnable by building a three tier defence including a forest, float & huge walls.They renovated the Kaleeswarar temple inside the fort and built a great gopuram
It is said that from the top of this tower, one can see the four big gopurams of Meenakshi temple, hence the name ‘Madurai Gopuram therinthida seitha Marudhu Pandiyar’, the ones who made the towers of Madurai visible. When British attacked Marudhus, the went inside the fort.
They have started launching surprise attacks on British army. Colonel Agnew made some headway through the forest with the help of ‘not to be named’ source who betrayed Marudhus.But they couldn’t venture further.Looking at their depleting resources &non arrival of reinforcements
Colonel Agnew decided to built ramparts & mounted their powerful canons atop,pointing on the majestic gopuram. He threatened Marudhus that if they don’t surrender, the cannons will pound the gopuram. Marudhus couldn’t take this. They came out of the fort and British captured them
They were tortured and executed along with their family.Marudhu Pandiyars last wish was to bury them in front of the temple. However their heads were cut off &only they were buried in front of the temple,the face looking at the Gopuram they’ve built which made them immortal
