We need to address a few misconceptions about this popular war of rajaraja(RR) - as we work out the logistics of the war..
1. This war was not between RR and bhaskara ravivarman thiruvadi as it is popularly believed. Actually chera desam was ruled by two or three different families - much like pandiyas. The northern regions were ruled by the kulasekara clan from mahodhayapuram - their capital. Bhaskaran belonged to this clan. (By the way there were 2 bhaskaras - I and II living simultaneously at some point of time!)
2. The southern regions were ruled by aye vel family which also controlled kanthalur chalai or vizhignam - today called as valiya salai near trivandrum. It was with this group that RR fought his first navel battle.
3. There is absolutely no historic proof that ravidasan was linked to aye vel or kulasekara clan. However, it is safe to deduce that he was also a chera - from his name ... we do not know where he really belongs..
4.The udhagai war is mentioned only in moovar ula and not in RR meikeerthi. It is very much the udhagamandalam area and not nagerkoil area as KAN sastri claims. This udhagai was close to the mahodhayapuram and it was here that the royal messenger was imprisoned. This happened ONLY AFTER KANTHALUR CHALAI WAR - probably an aftermath of it. RR army had to cross dense forests - as claimed by otta koothar.
5. Actually cheras and cholas had very close relationship unlike pandiyas who were sworn enemies. We don't know how this broke out and RR had to wage a war.
6. The martial arts academy or whatever that was destroyed by RR was very soon built up again !! Rajendra had to wage another war during his times....