NAGARATHAR KOVILGAL
Nagarathars can be divided into nine major Kovils - Ilayatrangudi, Iluppakudi,
Iraniyur, Nemankovil, Pillaiyarpatti, Soorakkudi, Vairavangovil, Velangudi and
Mathur. This originated from the time that the Pandiya kings gave them nine
villages around Pudukottai to settle in. They built a Shiva temple at each
village and those living in the same village were considered brothers and
sisters and don't inter-marry except in certain exceptions.
Ilayatrangudi
|
|
The Ilayatrangudi Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Kailasanathar and his consort
Arulmigu Nithyakalyani and lies 25 kms from Karaikudi. This place was
considered the resting place for the Gods and derives its name from the Tamil
word Ilaippu which means tiredness. The members of this Nagarathar Kovil are
further sub divided in Pirivus (Classifications) like Okkurudaiyur,
Arumbarkkuilaiyaraana Pattinasaamiyar, Perumaruthurudaiyar,
Kazhanivaasarkkudiyaar and the Sirusenthurudaiyar. Those in Ilayatrangudi
intermarry amongst the different pirivus within their Kovil and outside.
|
Iluppakudi
|
|
The Iluppakudi Kovil is dedicated to the deity Arulmigu Thaanthonriyeesar
and his beautiful consort Arulmigu Soundharanaayagi and lies 3 kms from
Karaikudi. The beautiful Nagarathar temple is surrounded by Illupai trees and
derives its name from them. The lingam here has been naturally formed.
According to a legend, a local chieftain saw Lord Siva in his dream and was
asked to build a temple. He was gifted with a Soodamani (a precious stone) by
him and then started this divine task. The architecture is superb and the
temple is adorned with artistic sculptures and paintings. There are no
sub-divisions or Pirivus here.
|
Iraniyur
|
|
The Iraniyur Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Aatkondanathar and his consort
Arulmigu Sivapurandevi. It lies 24 kms from Karaikudi. Vishnu vanquished
Iranian here and worshipped the Lord and the temple derives the name from this.
Members of Iraniyur Kovil treat Pilliyarpatti as their brother Kovil and do not
inter-marry. This Nagarathar temple is a magnificent piece of South Indian
architecture.
|
Nemangovil
|
|
The Nemangovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Jayangonda Choleeswarar and his consort
Arulmigu Soundharanayagi. It lies 12 kms from Karaikudi and derives its name
from the word Neamam or rules. This Nagarathar temple features over 125
beautiful sculptures. There are no Pirivus here.
|
Pillaiyarpatti
|
|
The Pillaiyarpatti Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Thiruveesar, Arulmigu
Marutheesar, Arulmigu Karpagapillaiyar, Arulmigu Sivakam and Arulmigu
Vadamalarmangai. The Pillaiyar here is famous all over the globe and the unique
feature of this temple is that it has been completely built inside a rock. It
lies 14 kms from Karaikudi. There are no Pirivus (sub-classifications) among
Nagarathar members here. They do not intermarry with Iraniyur Kovil
members whom they consider brothers.
|
Soorakkudi
|
|
The Soorakkudi Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Desikanathar and his consort
Arulmigu Aavudainayaki. It lies 10 kms from Karaikkudi. This
Nagarathar temple derives its name from the Soorai trees that surround it.
The unique feature here is that the Amman here is the only one with three eyes
and four arms. There are no Nagarathar Pirivus here.
|
Vairavangovil
|
|
The Vairavangovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Valarolinathar and his consort
Arulmigu Vadivudaiyammai. It lies 15 kms from Karaikudi. It is adorned with
many beautiful classical paintings including the ten avatars of Vishnu, the
presiding deities and the Pandavas. Its members are of three major Pirivus or
sub-classifications like Sirukulathoorudaiyar, Kalanivasaludaiyar and
Maruthendhirapuramudaiyar. The Sirukulathoorudaiyar Pirivu is further
sub-divided into Periya Vahuppu, Theivanayahar Vahuppu and Pillaiyar Vahuppu.
|
Velangudi
|
|
The Velangudi Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Kandeeswarar and his consort
Arulmigu Kamatchiyammai. It lies 9 kms from Karaikudi. Its members have no
Piruvus (Sub-classification). The population here is very low and this is
believed to be the result of an ancient curse.
|
Mathur
|
|
The Mathur Kovil is dedicated to Arulmigu Ainootreeswarar and his consort
Arulmigu Periyanaayagi. Besides their idols, this Nagarathar temple also
contains sculptures of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda and Ramana
Maharashi. The unique feature of this temple is the stone lions with freely
rotating balls in their mouths. The towering Rajagopuram stands nearly 70 feet
tall. It has seven Pirivus (sub-classifications) like Uraiyur, Arumbakkur,
Manalur, Mannur, kannur,Karuppur and Kulathur. They inter-marry within these
Pirivus in the Kovil and other Kovils as well. It lies 5kms away from
Karaikudi.
|
|
