Arungundram
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| Arungundram | |
  Arungundram
|
|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 163 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population - Density |
- |
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Arungundram is a village in Tamilnadu between Arcot and Kannamangalam. The village is surrounded by hillocks and paddy fields, and is about 8 km from Arcot in Vellore district. Agriculture is the backbone of the village. The village people are dependent on the North East Monsoon and the Palar river for irrigation.
[edit] History
During the rule of Pallava dynasty (400 - 800 AD), Arungundram was a place of busy activities. Jain Monks and Nuns lived in the hillocks near Arungundram. Thiruppan Malai, in the outskirts of the village, had a dormitory of Jain Nuns. There are seven cave temples in the hills, belonging to Nandivarma Pallava period (740 AD). The hillock and the caves are now being called as "Panchapandavar malai" in Tamil. There is also a cavern atop the hill with a spring. Sculped figures of a famous monk Naganandhi and a Jain Yakshi are seen near the spring. An inscription near the figure says "Naranan has carved the figure of Pon Iyakki (Yakshi) for his guru Naganandhi during the reign of Nandivarma Pothatharasar ..."
Another inscription belonging to Chola period tells about the donation of a village Kooraganpadi, by a kind of Lada country, Veeracholan and his queen. Hearsay story tells about a palace at the Malligai Medu village (Lalaimedu) to the west of Arungundram. It is also believed that there existed 108 Siva temples in and around Arungundram village and the hills. Even now one can see remnants of Siva temples and lingams scattered all around the paddy fields of Arungundram.
These temples are believed to be damaged during the Carnatic War between Arcot Nawab Chanda Saheb and East India Company in the middle ot 18th century. The invasion of Hyder Ali is also believed to have caused much damage to the temples around Arcot including Arungundram.
A dilapidated temple of Siva, Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple atop Hariharan Kundram, near Arungundram village, a temple of Sri Dharmeswarar at the heart of the village and a temple of Sri Venugopalaswamy are still existing inspite of invasions and wars.
The Ponniamman temple with shrines for Saptha Matrikas is revered as the Guardian Angel of the village and a footprint of the Ponniamman on a rock is still worshipped by the villagers.
[edit] Present Scenario
After the Arcot wars, most of the villages of erstwhile North Arcot districts were badly ruined. People started migrating in search of jobs, safety, education and to preserve culture. A few preferred to join the army of Arcot Nawab and East India Company, and a few others continued to work for daily wages in the nearby Vellore and Wallajab.
Years rolled ...
The descendants of those who left Arungundram two centuries ago, after hearing about the glory of their ancentral village from their parents and grand parents wanted to visit the village. Some of them are in high position in their professions and settled well in their life, visited the village, not once but many times. The love for their ancestral village, which has a rich heritage and history, was so much that they resolved to bring back the glory.
And, Village awakened! A new era has now begun!
[edit] Temples
- Arulmigu Dharmeswarar Temple
- Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By Bus
- A minibus from nearby Arcot makes four trips to Arungundram everyday.
