Nachandupatti

Narchandupatti is a small town located 16 kilometres from Pudukkottai. Many members of the Nagarathar groups are among its inhabitants. The town contains historic temples. Various festivals and religious ceremonies take place here. There are many small villages around Nachandupatti including Pudur and Kottur.

Narchandhupatti
Village
Narchandhupatti Location in Tamil Nadu, India Narchandhupatti Narchandhupatti (India)
Coordinates: 10.323811°N 78.723305°E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Pudukkottai
Elevation	82 m (269 ft)
Population  (2001)
• Total	86,422
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	622404
Telephone code	914333

Name

The original name of this place was Thirumalai Sam Uthiram. A fort was being built at Thirumayam for the residence of Oomaithurai (younger brother of Kattaboman). Good quality lime mortar (called sandhu or saanthu in Tamil) was prepared in this village. Hence, this place was also called Nar-Chandu-Patti or Nalla-Saanthu-Patti. Its name changed over a period of time to Nachandupatti.

General information

NACHANDUPATTI Village NACHANDUPATTI Panchayat THIRUMAYAM is situated in Pudukkottai District. People of this village are living in very peaceful manner. This village having a very proud history. Agriculture is the main profession of this village. Still, this village is waiting for Industrial development. Education, Drinking water, Road, and Electricity are the main concern of this village. The young generation is more attracted towards mobile, Laptop and computer technology these days. If banks and financial institutions proved loan and other financial support to the villagers, this village will see the real development. Medical and health services have to be improved. Natchandupatti is located 69 km from Tiruchirapalli, 17 km from Pudukottai and Ponnamaravathi. It covers an area of 3.6 km², with a population of above 3500 people. Its pin code number is 622404.[1]

This small village contains many Nagarathar houses built about 100 to 200 years ago, which are renowned for their architectural simplicity.

Each house of the village has a peculiar nickname like Kaattu Meeni Aayal Veedu or Subban Chettiar Veedu.

Demographics

In addition to the Nagarathar community there are people from other caste like Pillai too. Nagarathar caste people in Nachandupatti mostly belong to the following five nagarathar kovils Pillayarpatti, Vairavan Kovil, Elayathangudi, Ilupakudi, and Mathur.

Facilities

Public and commercial services

There is an ICICI bank, providing a locker division. An ATM of the Union Bank of India.[2] is also present. There is also an Indian government post office.[1] Other facilities include a public library and an Internet-browsing center. The state bank ATM service is available in nachandupatti.

There are three water tanks available in Nachandupatti with rain-water harvesting facility. Two of which are for non-drinking water and the third one is exclusively for drinking water.

A Sunday market (Sandhai) occurs every week near Sivan kovil oorani.

Education

There is a higher secondary school named Ramanathan Chettiar Higher Secondary School, and an elementary school called Sri Shanmuga Vilaasa Kalaasaalai.

Transport

Cab service is available round the clock. There are bus services to the nearby towns like Pudukottai and Ponnamaravathy, and direct bus services to Chennai and Madurai.

The nearest airport is Trichy airport which is just 55 km away.

Community activity

To take care of elderly Nagarathar residents, a food scheme "Nagarathar Nala Maiyam" was started by some Nagarathars from Nachandupatti. This scheme is the first of its kind in Chettinad villages and now has been embraced in many other Chettinad villages too. In this scheme, food is delivered three times a day to the doors of elderly people for a very nominal fee of Rs 1000 per month. In addition the elderly residents receive a monthly free medical check. The expenses of the scheme are shared by local Nagarathar residents.

To safeguard the valuables of Nagarathars, a locker division has been established by local Nagarathars.

Religion

The deity Malayalingaswamy is worshipped here. The god Vairavar is also considered to be very powerful.

Thai Poosam is a famous festival in this temple. During Thai Poosam people perform Annadhaanam. Other ceremonies include Kavadi by devotees, and Thotti-Kattudhal for new born babies.

Adaikammai Appathal Padaippu function is celebrated every two years in the Tamil month of Adi, on the 3rd Friday, at Adaikammai Appathal Padaipu Veedu. Members of Ilupakudi Kovil from 36 villages assemble together during this function. 2nd Friday of Adi the function starts in Thuvar Kovil with paal pongal. On the day of function people prepare pongal and paniyaram. Food is presented to God. Auction is conducted on 3rd Saturday of Adi. The 'Paal Paanai' or 'Vinayaga Paanai' will be auctioned first. The person who gets the paal panai will be considered royal in the village.

No.1 Nagarathar website for Padaippu veedu, where you can get all the kovil happenings: http://www.adaikkammaiappathal.com/. World wide it has 85000 Unique website visitor.

Places of worship

There are many famous temples in and around Nachandupatti. One which is 200 years old is called 'Karrupar Kovil'.

During the Pallava regime, they carved temples within hills/ mountains. One such Shiva temple found in Nachandupatti is Malayakovil. Later a temple to Muruga was built by Nagarathars at the top of the mountain temple.

1. Chinna oorani Pilliyar

2. Sivan Temple

3. Murugan Temple

4. Sri Muthumariyyamman Temple [Pudur]

5. Perumal Temple

6. Iyyappan Temple

7. Mosque [Pudur]

8. Naga Devi Nallathangal Temple

9. Malaiakovil

10.Peraiyur Naganatha Swamy Temple

11. Azghai appathal padaippu veedu

The Sri Muthumariyyamman Temple [Pudur] is more than 500 years old. A yearly function is celebrated here throughout vaikasi month.

References

1. Nachandupatti S.O Post Office – Thirumayam, PUDUKKOTTAI, Tamil Nadu, India Online: Pincode Search
2. "Bank village adoption programme launched", The Hindu, 25 May 2008

Further reading

• Hellmann-Rajanyagam, Dagmar: "The Politics of the Tamil Past", in: Jonathan Spencer (Hg.), Sri Lanka – History and the Roots of Conflict, London and New York 1990, SS. 107-122.