Nattarasankottai

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Nattarasankottai
Nattarasankottai
State - District(s)	Tamil Nadu - Sivaganga
Coordinates	9.87° N 78.57° E
Area - Elevation	- 75 m
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001) - Density	5887 -

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

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Interests
4 References

[edit] Geography

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

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, 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.

[edit] Interests

Nattarasankottai is believed to be the first place of settlement of Nagarathars after they moved out from the Chola Kingdom in the early 1600s. There are many reasons that make Nattarasankottai famous. The world famous Kannathal Temple, which is said to have built 250 years ago, is situated in the heart of the village town. The diety, KANNATHAL alias KannudayaNayaki Amman is famous for her powers in giving the boon of eyesight to the devotees with eye defects and other ailments. She is seen with eight hands and has udukkai (a percussion striking instrument) and 'muvizhai sulam' in her hands. Her left leg stamps the Asura by name Mahishan. As per mythology, Kannathal emerged with blessings she obtained from Lord Siva (the God of Destruction of the 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, Kannthal appeared in Simmavahanam (Lion as vehicle) and executed him by stabbing in his heart. She is praised by many a number of devotees who have experienced her blessings. One could find names like 'Kannappan' (for male children), 'Kannathal', 'Kannammai' and 'Kanmani' (for female children) abundant in Nagarathar community. 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. Special government busses ply during these days from Madurai. The temple is famous for its architectural marvel and Golden Kumbhams over the Temple tower. 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 Sept 12, 1938, the second on Sept 6, 1976 and the third on May 1, 1989. The temple is efficiently managed by the village Nagarathars. '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. 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. AshtamiThiruvizha and Sivarathri are the famous festivals of this temple.

The famous poet Kambar, who translated Ramayana to TAMIL, spent his last days in Nattarasankottai and his tomb is situated here.