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Holistic Reflections Nine NagaratharTemples The people of Chettinad moved on from their settlement to other villages not far from their first settlement and, there were nine main clusters of villages. To each of them the Pandya King granted a temple in perpetuity. The nine temples thus became the 'family' temple of the clusters and each cluster evolved as subdivision or fraternal clan of the Chettiars. The clan temple tradition is that a marriage is recognized only if the bride and bridegroom receive wedding garlands from their respective clan temples. The moment the marriage is registered the bridegroom becomes a pulli. The nine Nagarathar temples are at: Ilayathangudi, Iluppakudi, Iranikoil, Mathur, Pillaiyarpatti, Nemam, Vairavanpatti, Soorakudi and Velankudi. Vairavan Patti Temple Vairavanpatti lies 6km east of Thiruppathur. This place is famous for the Vairavar temple. At this place Avatharam of vairavar took place to kill the giants Manikasuran and Mailasuran. The facade is adorned with elaborate chiseled monolithic pillars. Two such pillars in front of Natarajar represent a warrior and other group of pillars represents the marriage of Meenakshi. Kannappanaiyanar etc. Pillaiyarpatti The best known of the Nagarathar clan temples is Pillaiyarpatti. About I2km from Karaikudi on the road to Madurai, it attracts visitors in large numbers from all parts of India and abroad. Karpaga Vinayagar is a huge bas-relief in a cave hewn out of a hillock and is a splendid example of the South Indian sculpture. The 6-feet tall sculpture is dated to the 5th Century A.D. The Rajagopuram towers over the eastern entrance and rises in five storeys. The temple is rich in stone and terracotta sculpture. There are 30 bronzes in the temple dating from the 10th Century. The celebration at Vinayagar Chathurthi festival - birth of Lord Vinayaga is well known here. Nattarasankottai Nattarasankottai is situated 9km from Sivagangai and 55km from Madurai. Nattarasankottai is an ancient village and it is believed that the Nagarathar community migrated to this place in Pandian Kingdom. The fame and popularity came to this place mainly due to Sree Kannudaya Nayaki Amman Temple. On realising the displeasure of Kannathai, the village people constructed a separate temple for Kannathal facing North with a water tank in the front. This temple celebrates many festivals. The annual ten days festival in the Tamil month of "Vaikasi" include a silver chariot procession on the eighth day and grand wooden chariot procession on the nineth day. This temple mahamandapam is known for its magnificent structure and aesthetically carved pillars. The Kaliyattam festival is celebrated for 48 days once in 12 years. A Siva Temple and a Vishnu temple are also popular here. Kalayarkovil It is located 15km from Sivagangai. Kalaiyarkovil was the seat of the kings from very early days. King Vengai Marban ruled over this area during Sangam period. It was also the seat of the freedom fighters like Muthu Vaduga Nathar and Maruthu brothers. Sorna Kaleeswarar Temple was the stronghold of the rulers of Sivagangai with a well built extensive fort. The Gigantic tall Rajagopuram persuades one to worship, Saints Gnanasambander, Sundarar, Appar and Arunagiri Nathar who visited this temple and praised the God with their sacred poems. Vaikasi Festival (May-June) and Thaipoosam Festival (January - February) are celebrated here every year. Soumiya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukostiyur It is located I0 km southwest of Thiruppathur on the Sivagangai - Thiruppathur highway. Sowmya Narayan Temple is a famous vaishnavaite pilgrim place. The halls used for accommodating the destitutes present in the temple were built by kings from the community of Pandyas, Vanathirayars and Nayakkars of Tanjore. People use to take part in large numbers during the traditional functions like Masi pournami Theppa Thiruvizha and Panguni Uthira Oonjal Thiruvizha. These are celebrated in the last two Tamil months. "Thiru" means "sacred", "Koshty" means "assembly" and "Ur" means "place" (ie., Place of sacred assembly). All the Gods are supposed to have assembled here and discussed how to kill the demon Iranyan. Sri Kotravalleswar Temple, Koviloor The Elegant and Artistical sculptures of 3rd century are seen here, that affirms the existence of ancient culture. The Tamil scripts of the time are engraved on the stone. It is located 2km west of Karaikudi. Music and Sculpture schools are located here. Thekshnamurthy Gurusthalam, Pattamangalam This place is 5km south of Thiruppathur and 5km east from Thirukostiyur. A familiar sight in this place is a wide Banyan tree. The sculptures of ancient people and damaged statues of 9th century are seen 1 km west. Unlike other temples of Thekshnamurthy, this temple faces east. Lord Shiva appears at Pattamangalam as Thekshnamurthy, to give eight kinds of power to Six Karthigai Women, those who parented Lord Muruga. Navarathiri Thiruvizha and Panguni Uthiram Thiruvizha are celebrated every year. People visit the temple regularly to seek blessings of the God for their happy married life and to be blessed with children. Muthurnariyarnman Temple, Thayamangalam Thayamangalam is situated 30km from Sivagangai and 20km from Paramakudi and it is very nearer to Ilaiyankudi. Though different religious and communal people are living here, they are living peacefully. Muthumariyamman Temple Pankuni Urchavam festival is celebrated here every year (March-April) for I0 days. During this festival nearly 2 lakhs visitors and pilgrims come here to offer their prayers. In 19 14, the idol of Amman was made with sacred stone and the shrine and Veemanam were constructed. In 1935, the Rajagopuram was built. Arulrnigu Vettudaiya Kaliamman Temple, Kollangudi The temple is small but beautiful. The paintings on the walls and ceiling of the temple depict the fame and eminence of deity Kalidevi. Achemical known as ‘POONEER’- essential for the preparation of siddha medicine is found growing occasionally on the soil around the temple. The history reads that Maruthu Pandian brothers worshipped this deity with their battlefield coins. War weapons and coins were manufactured here during the reign of the Sivagangai rulers. Festival season August - Vinayagar Chaturthi (Birth of Lord Vinayaga), October - Vijayadasami, January & July, Last Friday - 108Thiruvilakku poojai. Thirunokiya Azhagiya Nathar Temple, Thirupachethi This temple is located 10 km away from ManaMadurai and this temple was constructed and opened for worship during Pandya's rule at Madurai. Here Chitrai festival is celebrated for 10 days. Sakkottai Veera Sekara Umaiyambigai Temple, Sakkottai is next to Puduvayal village on Karaikudi - Aranthangi Bus route. Veerasekara Umaiyambigai Temple is very popular pilgrim centre. The south facing Gopuram is tall and sharp as it goes up and looks like as word. All the temples, speak of history and legend. Anda Pillai Nayanar Temple, Peruchi KoviI This temple is 2 km South from Kandra Manikkam village and it dates back to the sixth century. Lord Saneeswara is worshiped individually in this temple for relief from unfortunate events and augury. Mangai Bhagar Temple, Piranmalai Piranmalai is 60km from Sivagangai and 65km away from Madurai. The historical Piranmalai depicts the fragrance of the magnificent legand king "Vallal Pari" who reined justice and generosity in his province of prosperity. The chariot given by king Pari toa creeper plant to grow upon is an evidence for his benevolent generosity towards all living kind.
The core of the temple that finds a place for Lord Muruga has been stanced by the eminent poet Arunagiri Nathar in his famous work" A durgha is located at the top of the hill and every Friday and Sunday more than I000 peoples visit it to celebrate Kandhuri festival. The crowd includes both Muslims and Hindus. "Urangapuli" a tree with never shrinking leaves, "Perilla Maram" a tree without name, are some of wonder trees available in this hill. Thiruppathur Thiruppathur is 34km from Sivagangai and 22km from Karaikudi. Here is an ancient Siva temple which is one of the fourteen great Pandiyan temples. Thiruthalinathar and Sivakami amman are the deities. Annual car festival is celebrated during Vaikasi. Maruthu brothers, who fought for the freedom for India, were hanged by the British rulers near by this town. Kambar Tomb The tomb of Kambar, author of Kamba Ramayanam, is located in Nattarasankottai. The final days of the poet were spent in this area. The people ofthis region have a belief that the sand of this soil has got some miraculous power, that it could make a dumb to speak when placed on the mouth and also it increases the intellectual ability. Other important Tamil Poets: 1. Okkur-Masathiyar - A Women Tamil poet in sangam Period. She wrote poems in "Purananooru" an ancient Tamil Literature. Okkur is 7 k.m from Sivagangai. 2. Allur kilar - An ancient Tamil poet and he wrote poems in "Purananooru". Allur is 5 k.m from Sivagangai. 3. Kaniyan Poongunranar -An ancient sangam poet and he belongs to Mahibalanpatti. It is 25 k.m from Thiruppathur. He wrote the famous poem "Yadum Oorae Yavarum Kaelir". Adaikalam Katha lyyanar - Sri Bathirakaliamman Temple, Madapuram Sri Bathirakaliamman Temple is 20km from Madurai. In this temple Kaliamman is in standing position depicting the readiness of her to protect the world from any injustice. The dias on which Goddess Kali is standing is wide. On that, there is a horse, which stands on its back legs with fore legs in lifted position showing its readiness for a war. Its height is 13 yards and it is fully decorated. The pilgrims have the custom of breaking coins into half as a prayer to solve their grievances that cannot be done by human beings. Sorna Moortheswarar Temple, Kanda Devi The story behind the name of the town KANDA DEVI, is reminiscent of the events from Ramayanam. In Ramayana SRI RAMA's wife SEETHA, was taken away by RAVANANA and was imprisioned in Ashoka Vanam. Hanuman returned from Srilanka and expressed this news to Rama as "Kanden Deviyai" in this place. Hence this place is called Kandadevi. Sri Swarna Moortheeswarar Temple is situated here and people from various parts worship the Lord daily. This place is 2km north of Deva kottai. Kanda Devi Car Festival is very popular and large number of devotees participate in this festival. Murugan Temple, Kundrakudi Kundrakudi, located 11km west from Karaikudi on a small hill is famous for its ancient cave temple of Lord Muruga. It is also a place of considerable historical interest. On the western side of the hill are three excavated cave strives at aground level. These are in line and adjacent to one another. Later structures have been added to these shrines in the front. The temple is stunning with four Teppakulams on all the four sides of it. The carvings of 9th , 10th and 12th century are seen here. Siravayal Jallikattu Siravayal is famous for Jallikattu (taming the bull). lt is 30km from Sivagangai and 6 km from Thiruppathur in Natchiyarpuram - Karaikudi main road. Every year Jallikattu is conducted here on January 16th. Bulls from various parts of Tamilnadu participated in this event. Thousands of people and large number of foreign tourists watch this event. Sacred Heart Church, ldaikattur 120 years back a foreign Anglican lady named Mary Anne from France gave a full donation for the construction of the church as a token of her gratitude to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for having got cured from an incurable heart ailment after a long prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Cello S.J., a French Priest who was the parish priest of ldaikattur received the money from her and built this church at Idaikattur. This church is a sacred heart shrine built in Gothlic architectural style on the model of the RHEIMS Cathedral in France. An astonishing engineering marvel, this church has a foundation of only three feet in depth and it is a wonder that the church has stood on it for the last 120years. The exquisite statues were brought from France to ldaikattur 1 10 years back for the reason that it is only in this Shirne that there are the relics of 40 saints kept on the main altar. Secondly, it is believed that I I 0 years back when this Church was built, 9 choirs (hundreds) of angels appeared and solved a great problem. The locationofshrine it is 36kms awayfrom Madurai on the way to Rameswaram main road stop at Muthanendal. Lot of Foreign tourists visit this shrine. First Friday of every month lot of pilgrims participated in prayer. One Navagraha temple is also located near the churchwhich alarge number of touristsvisitforworship. Vetankudi Bird Sanctuary Vetankudi birds sanctuary is a natural habitat of winter migratory and residential birds. It provides a safe place for roasting, breeding and feeding for birds with considerable diversity in nesting and feeding behavior. This place is 8 km from Tiruppathur and 51 km from Madurai. Vettankudi Bird Sanctuary (39.9 Hech.) covering 3 tanks of Vettankudi, Periakollukudi and Chinnakollukudi villages in the area of operation. The Sanctuary is located on the left of the Tiruppathur - Madurai road as one comes from Tiruppathur side. The sanctuary receives nearly 20,000 birds, both local and migratory. Spoon bills, Spot bill, White Ibis, Black Ibis, Open Billed Stork, Painted Stork, Night Heron etc. are some of the many varieties of bird life visiting this sanctuary.
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