ADBHUDATIRUANTADI

We are proud to present ourselves as a quality INTACH Heritage club from TVS MHSS.

Our topic is KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR

We chose this topic because KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR is one of the memorable lady characters of the past. She is the one and only lady Nayanmar. She also has a temple for her in Karaikal, and has a festival, “MANGANI THIRUVIZHA”. She had seen Lord Shiva and his divine dance and also reached “KAILASA”, which is the abode of Lord Shiva, with her body upside down.

KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR

Punithavathy was born to Danathathan, a famous merchant. From childhood, Punithavathy grew in a religious atmosphere and worshipped Lord Shiva diligently. She enchanted the five letter mantra Namasivaya and also attended to the needs of Shiva devotees.

MARRIED LIFE OF PUNITHAVATHY

When Punithavathy grew up as a charming young girl, she was wedded to Paramadhathan, son of a famous merchant in Nagapattinam. Even after marriage, she continued her chosen religious life. Saiva devotees who visited her home were lavishly fed and were given clothes and jewels according to their needs.

A DIVINE MIRACLE !

A hungry Saiva devotee came to her residence one day. As she didn’t have any food she gave him one of the two mangoes that Paramadhathan had sent. Later, when Paramadhathan came home she served him one left mango. Since it was very delicious, he asked her the second mango also. She was in dillema now. She prayed to Lord Shiva and astonishingly by god’s grace, a mango appeared in her palm, which she served to her husband. 

Karaikal Ammaiyar temple

Karaikal Ammaiyar temple is located in bharathiyar street in the center of Karaikal. Malai Perumal Pillai constructed it in the year 1929. The goddess is Puunithavathy, also known as Karaikal Ammaiyar. There is also a sanctum for Vinayaka in this temple.

MANGANI THIRUVIZHA

The Mangani Thirunal festival (the festival of mango fruit), is observed in the month of Aani (June-July)On Pournami (full-moon day).The bilief is that Karaikal Ammiyar gave Annam (food) to Bhikshatanar (Shiva) during his tour round the world begging alms, with curd rice and mangoes. To commemorate this incident, curd rice with mango is distributed on this festival day, in a big hall adjacent to the temple

PARAMADHATHAN

Utterly confounded by these wonderful happenings, he came to a conclusion that his wife was a supernatural being and resolved to go away from her. He quietly equipped a ship, in which he put in a great part of wealth, and then on an auspicious day, set sail to another country, accumulated fortune and returned back to India to another city in pandyan land and married a merchant’s daughter there and lived a luxurious life. A daughter was born to him. To her, he gave the name of her first wife.

LATER LIFE OF KARAIKAL AMMAIYAR

Paramadhathan realized that his wife was a supernatural being and started to see her as a god and ceased to see her as his wife and he dedicated his daughter to Punithavathiyar. Karaikal Ammaiyar prayed to Shiva to take away her beauty that she cherished up till now for the sake of her husband and give her the form and features of one of the demon-hosts (Bhutaganas) who are attendants of Lord Shiva.

                                    
                                                     THANK YOU

 

Karikal Ammaiyar, one of the few females amongst the sixty three Nayanmars, is one of the greatest figures of Tamil literature. Her birth name was punithavathy, born at Karaikal, South India, lived during the 6^th century. She was a great devotee of Lord Shiva   

CHILD HOOD OF PUNITHAVATHY

Anthapathinaponnonam

Welcome everyone we the students of TVS Matric Higher Secondary School proudly present ourselves as a
team who preserve the culture of our great country.

Introduction

Legend of onam 

  A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread  far and wide, but when he extended is rule to  the heavens and the etherworld, the gods felt  challenged and began to fear his growing powers.Presuming that he might become over- powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord  Vishnu to curtail Mahabali's powers. Vishnu  transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana  and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms.  Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the gu ise of Vamana then increased his stature and  with the  first step covered the sky, blotting out  the stars, and with the second, straddled the   netherworld. Realising that Vamana‘s third step  will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head  as the last step.

                                                        Vaamana as in the temple

                                                                   

Onam is the largest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. It falls during the first month of the Malayalam calendar which is Chingam (August–September) and marks the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. The festival lasts for ten days and is linked to many elements of Kerala's culture and tradition. Intricate flower carpets, elaborate banquet lunch, snake boat races, Puli Kali, and the kaikottikkali dance all play a part in the festival.

Ten days of celebration

The celebrations of Onam start on Atham day, 10 days before Thiruonam. The 10 days are part of the traditional Onam celebrations and each day has its own importance in various rituals and traditions. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamanan(an Avatar of Vishnu) are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards in front of the house and beautifully decorated with flowers. Known as ‘Onapookkalam’, it is a carpet made out of the gathered blossoms with one or two varieties of foliage of differing tints pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. It is a beautiful work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. (In a similar manner North Indians make something called "Rangoli" which is made of powders of various colors.) When completed, a miniature pandal, hung with little festoons is erected over it.

Atham

The first day of Onam CelebrationsOnam starts with Atham day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. Its believed that King Mahabali start his preparations to descend from heaven to Kerala on this day. The day also marks the start of festivities at ThrikkaraTemple (considered as abode of Mahabali).The Onam celebrations across  the state, starts off with a grand procession at Thrippunithura  near Kochi called Athachamayam. In olden days, the Kochi Maharaja used to head a grand military procession in full ceremonial robes from his palace to the Thrikkara Temple. After independence, the public took over the function and celebrated as a major cultural procession which kicks off the official celebrations of Onam. Elephant processions, folk art presentations, music and dancing make Athachamyam a spectacular event which is now aggressively promoted as a tourist event.

 

Chithira

 The second day of Onam CelebrationsThe second day is marked off when a second layer is added to pookalam design with 2 different colours apart from yellow  (mostly orange and creamy yellow).On this day, people  starts cleaning the house- hold to prepare for the Thiruonam day.

Chodi

The third day of Onam Celebrations. The pookalam now will start growing in its size by adding new layers or designs with at least 4 to 5 different flowers. The day also marks the start of shopping activities. Onam is associated with gifting new clothes, hence from this day onwards people start buy new clothes and jewelleries.

Vishakam

 The fourth day of Onam CelebrationsVishakam is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Onam. In olden days, the markets open this harvest sale on this day, making one of the busiest days in the markets for public. Today Vishakam marks the start of many Onam-related competitions like Pookalam competitions etc.

Anizham

The fifth day of Onam CelebrationsAnizham is one of the most important day in the Onam days as it kicks off the great Vallam Kali (Snake boat) at many parts of Kerala. A mock Vallam Kali is conducted on this day at Aranmula as a dress-rehearsal for the famed Aranmula boat race which will be held after Onam.

Thriketa

The sixth day of Onam Celebrations By the sixth day, the public frenzy starts going on higher side. Most of the schools and public offices starts issuing holidays from this day onwards and people starts packing their  bags to their native homes  to celebrate the festival with their dear ones. The pookalam design will be very  large by this time, with at least 5 to 6  new  flowers types added to the  original designs.

Moolam

The seventh day of Onam CelebrationsOn the seventh day, the smaller versions of traditional Ona Sadya (Onam special buffet lunch) starts in many places. Most of the temples offers special sadhyas on from this day. Festivities include Puli Kali (Masked leopard dance) and traditional dance forms like Kaikotti Kali also performed in various functions. The official Government celebrations starts on this day with heavy illuminations in Thiruvananthapuram City,Kochi city and Kozhikode along with fireworks.

Pooradom

The eight day of Onam Celebrations.The day marks off with a major traditional ritual where the small statues of Mahabali and Vamana will be washed and cleaned and taken around the house as a procession. It will be later installed in the center of the pookalam smeared with rice-flour batter. The smearing is done by small children whom will be Pooradaunnikkal. From this day onwards, the statue will be called Onathappan.The pookalam design from Pooradam day onwards get much bigger and complex in design. Shopping will be one of the major activities as the public will be making final purchases for the great Thiruonam day.

Uthradom

The ninth day of Onam Celebrations Uthradom is the ninth and the penultimate day of the festival of Onam. It is considered as Onam eve and celebrated in a very big way. The importance of this day is last minute extreme shopping frenzy called as Uthradapachal and is considered the most auspicious day for purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits along with other provisions from the Thiruonam day.

Thiruonam

The final day of Onam that  culminates the 10 days of Onam  Carnival. The day is known as  Onam  (Sacred Onam Day) also known as SECOND ONAM. Myth says, it was the day Mahabali was suppressed to underworld by Vamana. The day  marks return of Mahabali to his fabled land (Kerala), as per the boon he received from Vamana to meet his subjects and bless them.

There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam" which means "We should have the Thiruvonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties" which shows the importance of the grand lunch on the Thiruvonam day

                                      Kochi maharaja’s grand parade to thrikkara temple.

                                                          THANK YOU

IYYAN

We are a quality INTACH Heritage Team from TVS Matric Higher Secondary School 

We have choosen DIVINE GUARDIANS as our topic

SHRINE

Most of these village deities have their shrines on the periphery (border or outskirts) of the village as a representation of their Village Guardian position. Hence they are referred as "Peripheral Folk Deity". 21 associate deities and 61 servant deities are located in either the same premises or located in different places of the locality, for e.g.: Amman deities may be installed in the centre of the village but the Sonai, Sudalai or the Formless Nadukkal deities may be installed close to graveyards (cemeteries or burial and sometimes, also near memorial centres).
These Village deities are either represented in the form of a huge, fierce statue or as a simple stone. Most of these temples are not closed premises but are simple and small worship areas. Weapons such as a trident or a lance or sickles are also associated with these shrines.
We also see lots of terracotta horses, elephants, clay dolls & birds and bells. Most officiating priests are pandarams and derive from the local ancestral lineages that had initiated the cult centres generations ago. In ancient times most of the City priests were pandarams.Before Nayakkar rule Madurai Meenakshiamman temple pujas were performed by them.
The worship pattern is non-vedic through Folk tale, Folk Song and Folk arts (Villupattu, Karagam, Koothhu, etc). The local priest might offer flowers or Veeputhi (holy ash) or Holy flowers to the worshippers and may play the oracle role for shamanism.

                                     A shrine to a village god in the Madras Presidency, c.a. 1911

Guardian deities
The worship pattern is non-vedic through Folk tale, Folk Song and Folk arts (Villupattu, Karagam, Koothhu, etc). The local priest might offer flowers or Veeputhi (holy ash) or Holy flowers to the worshippers and may play the oracle role for shamanism

• Ayyannar
• Madurai Veeran
• Ondi karuppanna samy of Sholanganallur and Puthur Village In Tiruchi District of Tamil Nadu
• Kulumayee Amman Ellai Pidari Amman of Sholanganallur And Puthur village
• Maha Kali Amman of Sholanganallur Village
• Karuppanaar swamy (“Karuppu” means black in Tamil and is associated with dark, night, etc). The typical varinats of Karuppu or 18 steps Karuppu, Sanglilikarupan, Maarnatu karuppu, Manda Karuppu, Munnadi Karuppu, Samaya Karuppu, Sinna Karuppu, Peria Karuppu, Sappani Karuppu, sonehkarupu etc.
• Kaateri amman (“Kaateri” means vampire)
• Sudalai Maadan swamy (“Sudalai” means burial ground/ pyre and “Sudalai maadan” means guardian of burial ground)
• Kali or Kali Amman was considered as the causative force for cholera
• Mari was considered as a causative force for smallpox, chicken pox, mumps and measles (Maari in Tamil means rain. Since the rainfall cooled the otherwise hot area and protected people from summer sicknesses like viral infections, people started worshipping the rain goddess as Maari Amman)
• Periyachi Amman: Guardian of children and mothers
• Ellai amman or Ellai Maari Amman worshipped in many villages is actually a mile stone which demarcated the boundaries of two villages. In olden days, people when they travel from one village to another village started relaxing near these stones and in due course started praying to them for safe journey. Thus, slowly these milestones attained the position of village gods and goddesses.

There are other various Natural energy worship in the form of Muthaaramman, Muthalamman, Pachai Thanni Amman, Pachaiyamman, Pal Pazhakkari amman MADAN: it is the drgula on indian version most belived in ramanathapuram dist villages than most horror stories also there.

                                                                   AYYANAR


Hero Stones and Sati Stones

Hero stones (Nadukkal or Veerakkal) are the stones provided for the males who sacrifice their life for good causes. Sati stones are the stones provided for females who sacrificied their life for certain specific purpose, especially for chastity and purity.
This category includes people who lived and lost their lives for their community and hence their community members still remember them and worship them. This group also includes persons who were killed by injustice and hence were worshipped in order to save the village from their wrath. The worship for the fallen brave warriors is one of the popular forms of worship. The early Tamil poetry 'Tolkappiyam' gives an elaborate description in six stages in the planting of such a stone: beginning with looking for a suitable stone, until the institution of formal worship.
The portrait of the hero is often decorated with peacock feathers. Some poems refer to spears and shields erected around the planted stones. Offering of Naravam (toddy = alcohol) to the spirit of the fallen hero, represented in the planted stone, is mentioned in some verses. In time these “nadukals” became Ayyanar shrines. Other warrior gods include Madurai Veeran (who lived near Madurai), Kaathavarayan (who lived near Tanjavore) and Annammar swamigal (who lived near Coimbatore).
The "Thee paanch amman" temples in the northern part of Tamil Nadu were basically built to worship widows who were burnt along with their husbands' funeral pyre as part of the "Sathi" or "Saathi" or "Sati".
The “Maachani amman” temple at Polaachi was built to worship a young girl who was killed by a “Kongu” king since she unknowingly ate a mango from his garden.
The “Palayanoor Neeli” was a girl who was betrayed and cunningly killed by her husband and who took revenge by killing him in her next birth. Further, several love pairs who have lost their lives due to caste animosity are also being worshipped as village deities in several villages.
Seelakari amman in various parts of South Tamil Nadu and Kannagi worship are considered as a part of Sati stone worship system. These goddess are most revered female deities for their purity and chastity as they are considered as the prime focus of the way of Tamil women. Kanni amman and Pachai Amman are more common variants of female deities representing the characteristics of Purity and Chastity.
In general, Sati stones have not become part of the 21 sub-deities of Ayynar but at some places Seelakari amman is considered as part of 21 sub deities. A more detailed research is required to identify clear clarity on various sub-deities including Isakki Amman, Sonai or Sonai Karuppu and others.
Any person who stood for justice and valiantly fought for justice or lost life for the cause of justice have become part of Hero Stone worship. The more prominent are Pandian Nedunchezhian of Silappadhikaram fame, becoming Pandi Muneeswar along with the support of Samayakaruppu. Maduari veeran and so many other stories run parallel to becoming Folk Deities worshipped by large following and becoming part of Kuladeivam cult.THANK YOU

                              

Nagarathars

Welcome we are the Nagarathars a quality INTACH Heritage Team from TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School.

We have taken Chettinad architecture as our topic .

What is chettinad?

Chettinad is a region of the Sivagangai district of southern Tamil Nadu state, India. Karakudi is known as the capital of Chettinad which includes Karaikudi and 74(traditionally its said as 96) other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and South east Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The people of Chettinad speak Tamil. Today there is a diaspora of Chettinad people, who live in the USA, Singapore, Malasiya, among other places.Chettinad is well known for its Chettinad cuisine, Mansions, and Temples
  

Chettinad houses

The Chettinad houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets,with the front door open into the first street and the back into the second. Looking in from the main threshold, your eye travels in a straight line across a series of inner counrtyards,each a diminishing rectangle of light, leading out to the back door.

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Some information about CHETTINAD HOUSES

 Most of the Chettiyar’s house in Chettinad consists of thousands of windows, hundreds of wooden pillars, door frames with Gajalakshmi who symbolize Goddess of wealth and a Kumbam(brass pot) with sprouting leaves engraved on them to symbolize wealth. Some buildings has a scene-by-scene narration of Mahabharatha and Ramayana in its wooden panels and walls. Some mansions are filled up with pillars of different materials such as wood, stone, plaster and metal. These pillars are coated with egg white stand tall in marvelously big dinner hall called Kalyana Kottahai. These houses may also contain raised platform known as ‘Thinnai’ used to protect from sun and rain.

History of CHETTINAD HOUSES

Karaikudi and 74 other villages comprise Chettinad, the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars. The Chettiars were a prosperous banking community who ventured overseas to do business in Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their legacies are the fascinating houses of Chettinad they built. These are houses have to be seen to be believed and this would justify a trip to Chettinad

The outer area of CHETTINAD HOUSES

First comes an outer thinai - Large raised platforms on either side of the central corridor, where the host would entertain male guests. The platforms lead off on one side into store rooms and massive granaries and on the other, into the (Kanakupillai) or Accountant's room. This area also usually leads off to the men's well.

Accountant's room



The huge front area of CHETTINAD HOUSES

From here, the huge elaborately carved teak front door, with image of Lakshmi carved over the head and navaratna or nine precious gems buried under the (Vasapadi) threshold. The door leads into the first open air courtyard, with pillared corridors running on each side that lead into individual rooms, each meant for a married son, each with a triangular slot cut into the wall for the evening lamp.

The second courtyard of CHETTINAD HOUSES

Then comes the second courtyard with large dining spaces on either side. The third courtyard was for the women folk, while the fourth, or nalankattai comprised the kitchens, leading out to the backyard with its women's well and grinding stones. The wealthier the merchants the larger the house, often spreading out to a second floor.

More informations about CHETTINAD HOUSES

Chettinad Houses Chettinad, rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, is well known for its houses, that are embellished with marble and Burma teak. The houses have wide inner courtyards and spacious rooms. The grandly and wonderfully embellished houses were created reflect the prosperity of the Nagarathar community. The basic design comprises of a "thinnai" which is an enclosed courtyard and this is surrounded by family rooms. The walls are smooth and are made of special plaster. The plaster involves the application of the finely ground mixture of powdered shell, lime, jaggery and spices, including gallnut (myrobalan), to walls. This technique keeps the interior of the house cool during the hot and humid Indian summers and lasts a lifetime. The architectural structure of a typical Chettiar home is a study in how a human dwelling can be constructed in harmony with nature.

CHETTINAD Architecture

Most of the Chettinad mansions are treasure troves that mirror the passion for art and craft in this ‘Nagathar’ – the mercantile community that had the reputation of establishing and running their business ventures from East India - especially Calcutta to South east countries during 19th and 20th century.. From birth to burial, the Nagarathars observed numerous ceremonies. All such functions were held and being held within their own premises as many of their palatial Chettinad buildings have Marriage Halls (‘Kalyana Kottagai’) and Banquet Hall (‘Bhojan Hall’). Like Personal Computers (PC) theirs is the only community which own personal ‘Kalyana mandap’ and Personal ‘Panthi kattu’.
The most important aspect of any discussion on Nagarathars Chettinad Architecture must appreciate that their vernacular architecture is an amalgam of Indigenoust and European style evolved over years and refined in a phased manner. The source of inspiration derived from out of ‘Nagarathars’ connection with Trade, Travel, Temples, Tradition and Taste. (All these aspects will find a place in subsequent discussions). Such buildings, as presumed to be constructed only with bricks, mortar and wood, is in fact accomplished with sweat, frugality and piousness.

The buildings constructed by them in a phased manner with the earnings made in ‘FarEast’ countries on conclusion of one assignment - ‘Kanakku’ (say for a period of three or five years as per the contract in writing between the owner ‘Mothalali’ and his Agent-‘kootali’). Buildings are divided into portions -‘Kattu’ . Most of the buildings have not less than two to three portions eg: first ‘kattu’ second ‘kattu’ and third ‘kattu. The walls of Chettinad nagarathars’ buildings are embellished with ‘Chettinad plaster’ whose other names are –
1) White –‘Vellai poochchu’,
2) Egg plastering and
3)Muthu Poochchu’.
Such walls were coated with several layers comprising mixture of lime base, ground white seashells, liquid egg white, etc.

                                                                         Well

                                                                  Thinnai

                                            

                                       Thank you