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THE GREAT VILLAGE OF NALLICHERRY
GENERAL
Every village in Thanjavur District
(composite) the granary of South India has its hoary past. The district - the Cauvery basin - with its abundant distributories
supplying water, was not only rich in production of rice, the staple food then, but in every aspect of life. Most of
the villages are located near the banks of rivers with abundant supply of water. The District has been the treasure
house of art, culture, music, dance etc. There was no village without a temple. In fact, one village used to have many
temples. The upper strata of society develop knowledge of four vedas, Sastras and spiritualism. There were village
artisans, shruthas, carpenters, masons, poter, etc. to help people employ mainly in agriculture. Each village
was self-developed and self-sufficient. People lived a simple life with high thinking and social harmony.
They enjoyed life spiritual and temporal. In short every village was a paradise on earth.
The District - Cholanadu - with monarchial system of administration was the birth place of many scholars in vedas, sanskrit,
tamil - the trinities of Carnatic music- religious pondiffs, Nadaswara Vidwans, dance masters (Nattuvanars) and
dancers. Most of the temples are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, constructed in the sixth or the seventh century, were
sanctified and glorified by Nayanmars and Alwars by pouring out from their hearts pious and exquisite songs in fine ragas.
The sum total of these temples outnumber those in Pandya, Chera and Nadunadu.
Nallicherry, a village located 14 kilometres from Thanjavur on the North sandwiched
between the Trunk Road to Kumbakonam and the Railway line - 1 kilometre on the East and West respectively. There is a temple
for Sri Rajagopala Swami with two consorts built about 400 years ago by a Naik King of Thanjavur whose statue is available
within the precincts. According to a legend, the King prayed to Lord Rajagopala Swamy of Mannargudi to relieve the strain
for the journey daily (40 kilometres) to visit the temple for darshan and the lord specified the spot (at Nallichery) to build
a Temple for daily darshan for quick and early return. There is an icon of Chakerathalwar (Sudarsanam), about two fit
in diametre with 8 hands and 2 consorts - a rarity. This icon evidently salvaged at the time of construction of the
temple, relates to the 9th century or so.
The king created an establishment of 12 brahmin families
of the same clan to render service Veda parayana etc. in the temple. The ancestors of late G. Subramania Iyer, founder "The
Hindu", Shri B. Ramamurthi, world famous Neuro Surgeon and Sri N.S. Arunachalam, I.C.S. belong to
these families.
The Siva temple - Lord Jambunatha - facing West (as in
Thiruvanaikkovil in Trichy ) and Goddess Akhilandeswari - is located 1/2 kilometres away from the Agraharam - on the North.
The Lord faces the burial ground, 1 kilometre on the West and bestow his divine vision during cremation to attain Moksha by
the deceased. This is a rare arrangement, not available in most of the villages or Towns - except perhaps one or two ( which
I am not so far aware of). Lord Siva is also worshipped by Sun God in February/March for 3 days continuously in the
evening. His rays falling on the top, middle and bottom portions respectively of the Sivalingam . Nandikeswara worshipped
the deity and did penance here to obtain panchakeshara siddhi, which he could not get at Thiruvaiyaru (a famous Sivasthala)
about 6 kilometres from here. This village originally called Nandi Mangai according to sthalapuranam, is now known as Nallicherry.
It is not clear when the change came into being.
On the Southern side of the village is the
main canal (Sotrudayan) which irrigates the wet lands and also served as the flowing drinking water supply to the village.
The well nearby has very sweet water serving the whole of summer .Almost on the banks of this canal, 1/4 kilometres
away from the Soouth Farmer's street. Ayyanar or "Sastha" has his temple. This was renovated four years back.
The icon in the Yoga posture belongs to the 9th century. Coins and other materials belonging to the 9th century
excavated from this area further confirms to the antiquity of the Yogasastha.
FESTIVAL
The village is one of the Sapthasthalas forming seven Holy Kshetras in and around where the annual SapthaSthanam festival
is held in the month of Panguni . The Dieties from the main temple Chakkarappalli are taken in a procession in very huge "kannadippallakkoo"
weighing more than 2000 Kgs by bearers on bare foot over more than 40 Kms in two days nonstop except for few hours halt at
Kudamurutti river sands for the fireworks show at 4 am . This was the only major unique festival of the area which was / will
be well remembered by young and old and was eagerly awaited upon . The huge crowd of pilgrims going on foot along with the
pallakkk is absent today as all the color and glitter of those days. Being celebrated these dayson a low level with hardly
any public fund and interest.
All these seven village Siva Temples were prayed and praised by one or the other Nalvars
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Objectives
This page is an
introductory remark of the village. The other objectives
are :
1. to bring together all old Nallicheriates
living anywhere in the world ;
2. to share our all past associations and knowledge about the village;
3. to develop the temples in the village.
4. to act according to any other suggestions that may be received on any
other aspect.
5. To further professionally create this page with more content
6. To have a website of its own for the village
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MY VILLAGERS, JOIN ALL , E mail ME.
All old Nallicheriates are, therefore, requested to contact me at the
E-mail ADDERESS nallinattu@yahoo.com . They are also requested to pass on this information to other Nallicheriates they know of and
send details of such persons available with them along with a complete postal/E-mail address and details of their ancestors
who hailed from this village.
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PHOTO
Please see the Pillayarkoil temple on the Erattaikulam
Karai alongwith the portion of the Mandhakarai Ground by clicking the link below We will bring more such photographs
depending upon the request from the old Nallicheriates
Photographs, if any, of the village including
of that of persons who lived here alongwith a brief remark may be sent for inclusion
in this page.
This page is maintained by Sri
S. Ganesan, (Vembu ) Son of Sri V. Subramanian and Smt. Lakshmi Ammal and Grandson of Sri
Vathi Venkataraman and Nephew of Akhilandathammal ( En Periamma )
