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Researched
and Compiled by Pl. Chidambaram
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The
first book on prints to come out about Nagarathar history is in
1894 called "Thanavaisya Nattukottai Nagarathar". With
the help of scriptures from Poongondrai Velangudi at Thulavoor Mutt,
the book was requested and examined by VR.L.Chinniah Chettiar of
Devakottai. The permission granted by imminent persons such as M.AL.AR.
Ramanathan Chettiar and AL.AR.RM.Arunachalam Chettiar the edition
were printed by Sadavadanam Subramania Iyer of Tanjore at the Desabimani
Press at Tanjore. The second edition came in 1904. |
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In
1911, Pandithamani Kathiresan Chettiar wrote a book called "Nattukottai
Nagarathar Seerthirutham" (changes) and in 1919 Chockalinga
Ayya of Karaikudi wrote a book called "Nattukottai Nagarathar
Marabu Vilakkam" (description of their ways). Both wrote separate
books on Nagarathar history. In 1953, the compilation by A.Ramanathan
Chettiar of Vayinagaram and the edition of that by Pandithamani
was called "Nattukottai Varalaru" (history). In 1970 A.Shesadiri
of Varagur wrote "Nattukottai Nagarathar Varalaru", which
came out in the form of a book.
After this many researchers on Nagarathars have written many research
essays on the past history. Certain notable essays are those written
by Kamban Adipodi Sa. Ganesan, Dr.V.SP.Manickanar, Dr.SP.Annamalai
and Dr.T.Chockalingam. Based on the above we can classify the old
history of the Nagarathars as below: . |
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1.
Before History (till 2898 BC.) |
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Initially the Vaishyas lived in Sandhyapuri of
the Sambu Islands in Naganadu. This borders the present state of
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They were of Chandrakula Gothiram.
Later they embraced Saivism. There is actually a question over when
the Nagarathars joined Saivism and when they would renounce Saivism?
"When the sun and the moon were born on this earth the Nagarathars
became Saivaites and when they are no more they would renounce Saivism."
v According to Pandit Kathiresan Chettiar. At that time they were
saivaites, praying to Maragatha Vinayagar, doing trade in precious
stones and having the equal respect like the king. Naganadu is near
Andhra. Later, an earthquake, according to DR. V.SP.Manickanar destroyed
this Naganadu.
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2.
Leather Age (from 2897 BC to 790 BC) |
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During
the Kaliyuga year 204 (2897 BC) the Vaishyas could not bear the
harassment of the Naga king and they came down to Thondaimandalam,
namely Kanchipuram. At Kanchipuram the king welcomed them with a
warm heart and royalty. He gave them land to build temples and mutts,
They continued their devotion towards Maragatha Vinayagar and continued
their trade with gems till the Kaliyuga year 2311 (790 BC) and lived
happily. |
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3.
Old years (789 BC to 706 AD) |
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During
the Kaliyuga year 2312 (789 BC), Prathaparasa the king who ruled
Kanchipuram imposed unjustified severe fines and punishments. Hence,
the Vaishyas from there went to Cholanadu. They settled along the
banks of River Cauvery at Kaveripoompattinam. Manuneedhicholan,
the king of that time requested the Vaishyas to live in three streets,
East, West and South streets. He gave the Vaishyas three honourable
rights. One was the coronation of the king, the second was to have
an independent lion flag of their own and the third was to have
golden kalasams in the bungalows they lived in. When they got these
rights the Nagarathars were called " Rathina Maguda Thanavaisyar".
They continued their prayers towards Maragatha Vinayagar.
In the Kaliyuga year 3775 (674 BC) Poovanthicholan who was ruling
at that time harassed and imprisoned all the womenfolk. Hence, the
8000 Vaishyas leaving behind all their assets, 1502 boys and the
Maragatha Vinayagar under the custody of their guru Atmananda Sastri
to do pooja and look after, they all committed suicide. The guru
Atmananda Sastri taught them the five-letter panchatara mantra for
upadesam, till to this date they remember it with the help of the
Patharakkudi Madam.
In the Kaliyuga year 3784 (683 BC) the old aged Poovanthicholan
requested the Vaishya youngsters to do the coronation ceremony for
his son Rajaboosanacholan. The youngsters said that they were incapable
of doing the coronation since they were all bachelors and there
were no eligible girls in the community to get married to. The king
consulted with Esana sivachariar and pronounced that Vaishyas can
marry Vellala caste girls. The Vaishya youngsters said that they
would marry the girls from the Vellala caste, but they would not
marry their girls by birth to the Vellala caste. The king requested
the Vellala community to accept this. The Vellala community accepted
on the condition that their community guru would perform the dhikshai
for their girls and the girls born to them. The East Street, which
was divided into seven branches, had 502 Vaishya youngsters married
to Solliya Vellala girls. For these girls their guru was Alagiya
Gurukkal from Srivanjiyam.
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4.
Middle Age (707 AD to 1565 AD) |
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During
the Kaliyuga year of 3808 (707AD) Soundarapandian the Pandya king
went to Chola kingdom and met Rajabooshanacholan. He stated that
during Keerthibooshanapandian's period the sea came inside till
Thirubhuvanam and washed away the whole area. After that, 18 successions
of Pandya kings have ruled but there were no good families living
there. He said that he his inviting some good families to set up
a living. He requested for some good families and some Vaishya traders.
The Chola king called for the Rathanamaguda Vaishyars and requested
a few to go. At that time they stated that wherever they go the
three streets would go together and live, and not live separately.
On hearing this, the Chola king asked everyone to go to the Pandya
kingdom. The Pandya king assured the Vaishyas, that he would give
them a place to live, land to build temples and mutts, and took
them along with him.
Soundarapandian gave land demarcated, West of the sea, East of Pranmalai,
North of River Vaigai and South of River Vellar (present Chettinadu),
to live, build temples and mutts. The Pandya king gave Ariyur town
and Pranmalai temple, Sundarapatinam and its temple and Ellayatrankudi
and its temple.
The three streets Vaishya youngsters could not live together for
long because of difference of opinion created since they married
Vellala girls of different - different groups. Hence therefore,
those who lived in the West street in six branches at Kaveripoompatinam
were given Ariyur and Pranmalai temple, South street in four branches
were given Sundarapattinam and its temple, East street by seven
branches were given Ellayatrankudi and its temple. The Maragatha
Vinayagar was under the custody of Ariyur. They agreed upon the
rituals and prayers to be common. After this the six branched were
called Ariyurar, four branched as Sundarathar and the seven branched
as Ellayatrankudi Nagarathar also Nattukottai Nagarathar.
As the days went by there was difference opinion amongst the Ellayatrankudiyars'
and they separated branch wise and met Soundarapandian and requested
for different temples. Pandian agreed, the temples given were Mathur,
Vairavanpatti (712 AD) Iraniyur, Pillaiyarpatti, Nemankovil, Ellupakkudi
(714 AD) and Soorakkudi, Velangudi (718 AD). Henceforth the creation
of the nine temples took place. When the population increased there
were many branches with in the temples. This is the only community
in the world to be divided on the basis of Sivan temples.
During the Kaliyuga year 4262 (1161 AD) Nemankovil's Arunachalam
son of Ellanalamudaiyan Muthuveerappa Chetty of Manickam Street,
Velangudi at Poongkondrai's five year old daughter, Muthumeenal
was taken to the capital by Karunyapandian in the chariot when he
as hunting over there. The Nagarathars on knowing this grouped together
and decided that the girl should get justice according to the caste
practise and the met the Pandya king and asked him to release the
girl. The Pandya king said that if had known it was their girl he
would not have brought the girl over to the capital. He said that,
he had heard that if he handed over the girl, the girl would be
killed. He also said that if at all he heard that the girl was killed,
they would have to pay eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns
of gold and he handed the girl.
The Nagarathars took leave of the king and killed the girl on the
way according to the caste regulations. Then they prepared themselves
for the punishment ordered by the king. For the seven branches seven
heads were ready and there was a question mark over the one remaining
head. At that time among the seven branches, Ellayatrankudi, Eraniyur
and Pillaiyarpatti were as one branch though they had different
temples, it was decided that this branch give an extra head. Henceforth
Okkurudayar a branch of Ellayatrankudi came forward to give the
extra head. The condition put was that they get the first honour
in the temples and mutts including the Viputhi. The Nagarathars
accepted. Later they went to the king and stated that they have
brought the eight heads and eight hundred sovereigns of gold. The
king was so depressed and said, the sin of killing one girl itself
is enough, you don't have to give anything and you can go. The Nagarathar's
returned back.
During the Kaliyuga year 4389 (1288 AD) there was trouble and Ariyurpattinam
was demolished. The sixty-four Vaishya families that stayed there
escaped to the Malayala kingdom (Kerela) and started living near
the River Korattar. They built a temple for Maragatha Vinayagar
and continued the prayers.
During Kaliyuga year 4644 (1543 AD) there was trouble at Nattarasankottai
due to robbers and they raped some Nagarathar women. Nagarathars
met their Gurus' and requested them to give permission according
to their custom to kill them. The gurus did not accept. On the insistence
of the Nagarathars the gurus accepted and went to Kasi to have a
holy dip in the Ganges.
Nirambia Alagiya Gurukkal alone returned to Thulavur after three
years. The Kala mutt guru did not even return after twelve years.
Hence some of the Nagarathars went to Ramanathasamy of Thirupunavayil
to get upadesam. After twenty-one years during the kaliyuga year
4665 (1564 AD), the guru of Kala mutt came and joined. The Nagarathars
met him and explained the happenings. The guru said that those who
got dhikshai from Ramanathasamy belonged to Vamisa, henceforth they
and their generation have got to get dhikshai from Vamisa generations
and gave a mutt at Patharakudi, which is also known as Ellanjeripattinam
at Kanakapuram. From then on Nagarathar men had Kala mutt and Patharakudi
mutt; the women had Thulavur mutt, which were the three Gurukalams.
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