Nattarasankottai

Nattarasankottai is a village in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Nattarasankottai
Village
Nattarasankottai Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 9.87°N 78.57°E / 9.87; 78.57
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Sivaganga
Government
• Type	Town panchayat
Elevation	75 m (246 ft)
Population  (2001)
• Total	5,887
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Geography

Nattarasankottai is located at 9.87°N 78.57°E / 9.87; 78.57.[1] It has an average elevation of 75 metres (246 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Nattarasankottai had a population of 5887. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Nattarasankottai has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 66%. In Nattarasankottai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of Interest

Kannathal temple

Nattarasankottai is believed to be the first place of settlement of the Nagarathars, after they moved out from the Chola Kingdom in the early 7th century. Nattarasankottai is famous world over for the Kannathal temple. The Kannathal Temple is said to have built in the mid-18th century. One could find names like 'Kannappan' (for male children), 'Kannathal', 'Kannammai' and 'Kanmani' (for female children) abundant in the community. The temple is managed by the village Nagarathars.

As per mythology, Kannathal emerged with blessings she obtained from Lord Siva (the God of Creation, Sustenance and Destruction of evil, in Hindu Mythology) to vanquish Mahishan, who was giving trouble and anxiety to the people. Mahishan had a rare blessing from Brahmadeva that he will not die in the hands of men and he will only be executed by a woman. After heeding to the voices of the tortured people and Devathas, Kannathal appeared in Simmavahanam (Lion as vehicle) and executed him by stabbing in his heart. She is praised by many devotees who have experienced her blessings.

The temple is famous for its architectural marvel and Golden Kumbhams over the Temple tower. The deity, Kannudaya Nayaki Amman alias Kannathal is seen with eight hands and has an udukkai (a percussion striking instrument) and muvizhai sulam in her hands. Her left leg stamps the Asura by name Mahishan. Kannathal is famous for healing eye ailments and correcting eye sight, and also other illnesses. Mavilakku, a flour made offering for the Goddess is offered by the devotees to appease her and to get her blessings.

Vaikasi Visakam festival, celebrated for 10 days, is famous for the temple and on the 8th day, the Goddess in the form of KaliattaKannathal decorated by 'Kazhuthu Uru' (a Nagarathar Ornament) is taken in the silver adorned chariot around the temple. Also, Amman is taken in Golden chariot on 7th day on and Wooden Chariot on 9th day. On 10th day night the function is called as "Mosa kuthu" (Muyal-Rabbit in English) one rabbit will be killed by using the long knife by poosari every year on this 10th day.Crowd of people will be there in the particular place to see this function. Kaliattam, a festival celebrated once in 60 years was celebrated in 1996 with much pomp and pageantry. The first 'Kumbabishekam' (Consecration of the temple) took place on 12 September 1938, the second on 6 September 1976 and the third on 1 May 1989 and also last kumbabishekam was on 2005. 'Sevvai Pongal' during the Tamil month Thai, is a festival that is celebrated by Nagarathars of this village, during which tickets will be pooled and drawn and based on that places near the temple are allotted to all the nagarathar families for making Pongals. Non-Nagarthars also contribute a lot to this festival. Other festivals of the temple include 'Muzhalkuttu Thiruvizha' during the Tamil month of Aadi, 'Navarathri' during the Tamil month of Purattasi and 'Thailakkappu Utsavam' during the Tamil month of Thai. There are many temples in Nattarasankottai of which a Sivan temple is also famous. Ashtami Thiruvizha and Sivarathri are the famous festivals of this temple.

Kambar tomb

The famous poet Kambar, who translated Valmiki Ramayana to Tamil, spent his last days in Nattarasankottai and his tomb is situated here. It is not famous and very few of the public know of this. It is said that Kambar after having differences with the Chola king, left the Chola kingdom and roamed around. When he arrived at Nattarasankottai, he was very thirsty and asked for water in one house. When he was offered buttermilk in return he became very happy and decided to stay there itself and spent his last days there. Every year Kamban vizha (function) is conducted at this place to felicitate Kambar.

Other places of interest

The renowned town of Kalayarkovil which is famous for Kaleeswarar temple, is situated few miles away there. The famous Kollangudi Vettudaiyar Kali temple is also nearby.

The valiant Maruthu brothers (the early freedom fighters and the rulers of the erstwhile Sivagangai) were among the early patriots who fought against the British occupation. Maruthu brothers have contributed wealth and land to Kundrakudi murugan temple nearby.

Multi-talented and brave Velu Nachiyar, the first lady freedom fighter to employ different war tactics against British was an erstwhile ruler of Sivagangai, commonly referred to as MARAVAR country in English dossiers. She predates Rani Lakshmi Bhai of Jhansi. Sivagangai fort and palace are occupied by Governmental institutions these days but are accessible to general public.

Education

There are two higher secondary schools; two elementary schools; one English medium primary school and one ITI and vocational training institute. The two higher secondary schools are S.RM.Higher secondary school for boys and KMSC Girls high school; The two elementary schools are Visalakshi vidyasala and KP.RM.School; The English medium primary school and ITI and vocational training institute are Sri Kannathal English primary school and Sathyamurty ITI and vocational Training Institute respectively.

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Nattarasankottai
2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.