 Vedaranyam continued to be a part of the Chola Empire and the Chola region emerged as a centre of Saivism during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I ( 1070 – 1120 ) . After the fall of Cholas during the reign of Rajendra Chola II in the 13th century , the erstwhile Chola region was caught under a power struggle between Pandyas and Hoysalas . The royal patronage continued to the temple during the rule of the Nayaks . The Negapatam region ( modern day Nagapattinam district ) was briefly captured by French troops led by Lally ( 1702 – 66 ) in 1759 . The Tanjore district was annexed by British after the French failed to subdue the king of Tanjore . During the British period , Vedaranyam was part of Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk under Tanjore district . Salt from Vedaranyam was transported to Nagapttinam port through a 32 mi ( 51 km ) long canal . The channel was constructed in 1869 because road transportation facilities between these two towns were limited . 
