Nattarasankottai

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?Nattarasankottai Tamil Nadu • India
Nattarasankottai
Coordinates: 9°52′N 78°34′E / 9.87, 78.57
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 75 m (246 ft)
District(s)	Sivaganga
Population	5,887 (2001)

Coordinates: 9°52′N 78°34′E / 9.87, 78.57 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,^[2] 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 famous for the Kannathal temple. Also, Nattarasankottai is believed to be the first place of settlement of the Nagarathars, after they moved out from the Chola Kingdom in the early 1600s.

The world famous Kannathal Temple, which is said to have built in the mid-18th century, is situated in the heart of the village town. The deity, Kannathal alias Kannudaya Nayaki 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 an 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 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 the 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 buses 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 September 12, 1938, the second on September 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. Non-Nagarthars also contribute a lot to this festival. 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. The little hamlet of KalayarKovil which is famous for Vettudayar Kali temple is situated close this village. The Maruthu brothers (the early freedom fighters and the rulers of the erstwhile Sivaganga Kingdom) were hiding in the Kalayar Kovil forests during their fight against the British.