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| The Great Irulappa Swamy |
ILAYARASANENDAL - FACTS
About Ilayarasanendal: Ilayarasanendal is a village located in the Thoothukkudi District of Tamil Nadu State.
Location:Well connected by road, it is 10 kilometers from Kovilpatti on the Kovilpatti – Rajapalayam Road.
Nearest Railway Station : Kovilpatti (10kms)
Nearest Airport : Tuticorin (70 kms) & Madurai (100kms)
Nearest Port : Tuticorin (70 kms)
Nearest Industrial Centre: Kovilpatti (Textiles/Matches-10kms);
Sivakasi (Crackers-40km);
Rajapalayam(Textiles-50kms);
Virudunagar(Commodity Trade-50kms)
Nearest Landmarks in Freedom struggle:Ettayapuram(25kms);
Kayaththar(20kms);
Vanchi Maniyachi(40kms)
Nearest Arupadai Veedus:Thirupparankundram(90kms);
Tiruchendur(110kms)
Pincode: 627713 (Total 9 villages come under Ilayarasanendal Post)
Taluk : Kovilpatti (10kms)
District : Tuticorin (70kms)
State : Tamil Nadu
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Author: Mohan Alias N R Venkadathiri Appasamy S/O of Shri N Rengasamy
Map:
Exact locations of all temples / step wells of Ilayarasanendal are diligently marked in wikimapia
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2182381&lon=77.7857888&z=18&l=0&m=b or
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2179734&lon=77.7812934&z=16&l=0&m=b or
http://wikimapia.org/14645253/Ilayarasanendal
Legend of Ilayarasanendal:
Established by two sisters, Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi when their father was killed in a battle, by crowning their infant brother and hence the name IlayaArasanEndal.
Another legend is that majority of zamindars who ruled it, dyed before their 50s and hence the name Ilayarasanendal.
History of Ilayarasanendal:
Ilayarasanendal was an important Zamin in Madurai Nayaka Kingdom ruled by Ravilla Kings from 1600AD to 1950AD.
The important Zamins in Madurai Nayaka Kingdom are:
1. Ravilla kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Madurai Nayaka kingdom. They played important role in wars. They ruled Ilavarasanendal.
2. Pemmasani kings from 1650 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Madurai Nayaka kingdom. They played important role in battles. They ruled Kurvikulam area.
3. Bellam kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Vijayanagar kingdom. They are close friends to Madurai Nayaks. They ruled Sevalpatti area. At the beginning they ruled large areas.
4. Golla kings: They ruled Ninynandal, Thiruvathuru areas in Ramanadapuram.
5. Pemmasani kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Ruled Nikarpatti in Madurai Dist.
Rulers: History of Ravillas
The independence of Telugu land came to an end in fifty years with the martyrdom of Musunuri Kaapaaneedu, a prominent Kamma warrior in 1370 A.D at the hands of Recherla Velamas who collaborated with Bahmani sultan [1, 11,12]. A large number of remaining Nayaks who served under Kaapaaneedu migrated to Vijayanagar and sworn allegiance to Bukka Raya, a close associate of Kaapaaneedu in protecting the Hindu dharma in Dakshnapatha (Deccan). Among them, Ravilla a kamma clan which earned laurels for their bravery and defense of Vijayanagar Empire in the coming three centuries was noteworthy.
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| Hampi[Vijayanagar] Scenery, 360 Degree Panorama Shot from Matanga Hill |
The military commanders of Araviti kings were predominantly from Ravella clan. The most invaluable source of Ravilla chiefs, their lineage and military exploits is a Telugu poetic treatise “Sougandhikaprasavapaharanamu” by Ratnakaram Gopalakavi.
Early history
The first menton of a Ravilla chief was found in the inscription of Rajaraja III (1257 CE)[2]. Ravilla chiefs ruled Srisailam and Dupatiseema from 1364 CE as vassals of Vijayanagar Empire [3]. Their title Chalamartiganda shows that they belonged to Durjaya clan and Vallutla Gothra.
The commanders
The Ravilla clan can be traced from Malla Nayaka (1495 A.D.) who served as a commander in Saluva Narasimha Raya’s army[4]. Malla vanquished the army of Qutb Shah (Bahmani General) at Gudipadu and cut the general into pieces. He was known by his title Rajahridayabhalla Pratapaprabhava. Poet Ratnakaram Gopalakavi described the exploits of Malla in detail[5]. Ravilla clan had a large camping ground of 1260 Kuntas in the city of Vijayanagar [6]. Malla used to maintain an army of 6,000 soldiers and 400 horses [7]. His annual income was 13,000 Varahas (gold coins) out of which one third was paid to the king. Malla assisted Vasireddy Mallikarjuna in his battle with Haider Jung and died in 1527 CE (Vasireddy Clan).
Malla’s son Tippa participated in the expedition of Krishnadevaraya to defeat the Gajapatis (1513-1515 CE) [8]. The king decorated Tippa with many laurels and presented many gifts.
Tippa’s son Papa defeated the Muslim army and captured Kurnool fort for Rama Raya (1506 CE)[9]. Papa’s son Tippa II and grandson Linga I were also great warriors.
Konda (son of Linga I) who served Saluva Timmaraya conquered Adoni fort by defeating Naudul Khan at Manavapuri.
Tippa II’s son Ayyappa was a decorated commander in the army of Rama Raya. He ruled from Tirumanikota. He recovered Penukonda and Adoni forts from Abdullah Qutbshah of Golkonda in 1611 CE. He was decorated with many titles such as Aswarevanta, Parabalabhima, Chalamartivaraganda, Adavanidurgagarvavibhala, Hattumuvvraganda etc., Later, Linga II, grandson of Ayyappa, commanded the Vijayanagar army and captured the forts of Kurnool, Gandikota and Adoni[10]. Gopala Kavi who described the exploits of Linga II was patronized by him.
Inscriptions in Nellore district showed that during the rule of Araviti kings,
Ravilla clan controlled Podili (Tippa Nayudu), Udayagiri (Koneti Nayudu) and Kocherlakota (Timma Nayudu).
Families of Ravilla clan are currently distributed in Krishna, Guntur, Chittoor and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh in addition to a Zamindari (Ilayarasanendal in Tirunelveli Dt) in Tamil Nadu.
Books:
The book called "The Aristocracy of Southern India" by A. Vadivelu gives details about the Ravilla zamindars of Ilayarasanendal in detail. You can find the cited References below.
http://books.google.com/books?id=oFwDWt2N29cC&printsec=frontcover&dq=aristocracy+of+southern+india&hl=en&ei=3NFOTaK7HszngQerwswF&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
Ravilla Shri.Kasturi Ranga Appasamy Naidu Garu, was the last Zamindar of Ilayarasanendal. Three palaces [including the one demolished of Nalla Dorar] are of historical significance (with legends attached to it) at the ambalam (city centre) exhibit their past glory.
Festivals:
Sivaratri is an important festival, where the descendants (now spread over the entire world) visits innumerable temples situated in all eight directions.
Irulappasamy is the kuldev of rulers; Angalaparameswari has been the largest attraction from her roots. Perumal Kovil and Shiv Temples exhibits standard tamil architects with beautiful theerthams/ theppakkulams in agraharam street. Badra Kali attracts peoples from other villages like uththumalai; Mariammal and Ayyanar temples for village folks. And the number goes on beyond imagination.
Ilayarasanendal Ravilla Shri.Paperananda Ramachandra Venkatachala Surappa Sankara Narayana [P.R.V.S.S] Appasamy Naidu Garu’s“Small Palace” is a place where Baba’s Guru “Paper Swami” from Podhigai attained Jeeva Samadhi. Prof Ilampirai Manimaran citing a research in her speech reveals this. Bengali version “Auto biography of a yogi” by Paramahamsa Yogananda centers around initiation to an army clerk Lahiri Mahasaya’s adventures at Ranikhet [Queen’s Field]. Tamil version 18-siddha kriya yoga claims that stone carving of lord Badrinarayan depicts a youthful male figure sitting in lotus posture with an striking resemblance to Babaji. Still the search is on…
References
1. Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History, M. Somasekhara Sarma
2. Nellore Inscriptions, No. 6
3. Kammavari Charitra, 1939, K. B. Choudary
4. Nilakanta Sastry, http://ia300234.us.archive.org/0/items/FurtherSourcesOfVijayanagaraHistory/TXT/00000337.txt
5. Sougandhikaprasavapaharanamu by Ratnakaram Gopalakavi
6. Bharati, Sukla Samputamu, p. 623
7. Vijayanagar Empire: A Forgotten Chapter of Indian History by Robert Sewell
8. Krishnaraja Vijayamu by Kumara Durjati
9. Vasucharitra
10. K. Iswara Dutt, Journal of Andhra Historical Research Society. Vol. 10, pp. 222-224
11. Prasad D "History of the Andhras upto 1565 A.D" 1988 P168
12.History of Andhras, B S L Hanumantha Rao
TEMPLES OF ILAYARASANENDAL
1. Angalaparameswari Temple:
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| Angala Parameshwari- Mother of Irulappa Swamy |
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| Angala Parameswari in Different Costume |
The universal force behind the establishment is believed to be Angalaparameswari and the temple is old. She is like, Bhuvaneswari to Vijayanagara Empire of Sangama Dynasty through Vidyaranya, a Sringeri Seer.
See the following links to know the interesting stories of Vijayanagara:
1.http://www.sringeri.net/jagadgurus/sri-vidyaranya/biography
2.http://www.kamakotimandali.com/sringeri/vidyaranya.html),
The temple of Angalaparameswari is reconstructed recently.One can find the old idol at south west corner of the temple.
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| Old Idol at South West Corner |
The maxim is
“THINK PROSPERITY VISIT ANGALAPARAMESWARI TEMPLE”
2.Irul appasamy,
the son of Anagalaparameswari, Kuldev of rulers is having his abode at south west corner of the village. The temple is under reconstruction now.Exact locations of all temples / stepwells of Ilayarasanendal are diligently marked in wikimapia
Google –Ilayarasanendal or
http://wikimapia.org/14645253/Ilayarasanendal
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2179734&lon=77.7812934&z=16&l=0&m=b or
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2182381&lon=77.7857888&z=18&l=0&m=b
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| Irulappa Swamy - Moolavar & Urchavar |
The Great Irulappa Swamy Temple needs a separate mention. Apart from the Kula Deivam of Ilayarasanendal rulers, he is the Kula Deivam of many cutting across various communities / castes in Southern districts of Tamilnadu - Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli. One can find his abodes in Elayirampannai, Vilampatti, Keelarajakularaman, Vagaikulam, Idaiseval, Paeraiyur, Alathoor, Koovachipatti – these are only a few.
He is worshipped as Kuladeivam by Tamils and Telugus of the Carnatic region, Carnatic is the region of South India lying between the Eastern Ghats and the Coromandel Coast, in the states of Tamil Nadu, south eastern Karnataka, north eastern Kerala and southern Andhra Pradesh. He has originated in a fierce guardian figure to defeat / kill the enemies. He is worshipped by Rulers, Zamindars – such is his power.
Ilayarasanendal Irulappa Swamy Temple belongs to Kamma Naidu community. His temple is in South West Corner of Ilayarasanendal, so that he can lead his Kul well under the control with good decision making power. The temple is big, however with simple structure without Gopurams etc. He has Karuppa Swamy for his Kaval.
Ilayarasanendal Irulappa Swamy Temple belongs to Kamma Naidu community. His temple is in South West Corner of Ilayarasanendal, so that he can lead his Kul well under the control with good decision making power. The temple is big, however with simple structure without Gopurams etc. He has Karuppa Swamy for his Kaval.
If you have The Great Irulappa Swamy as your Kul Dev, you will be having many of his attributes:
YOU ARE MAGNANIMOUS;
YOU ARE A WARRIOR;
YOU ARE A SAVIOUR OF YOUR NEAR AND DEAR;
YOU EXCEL WHATEVER TASK YOU UNDERTAKE WITH FAME;
YOU OUSTER THE ENEMIES;
YOU OUSTER THE ENEMIES;
KINGS / RULERS / SUPERIORS WANT TO BE FRIENDLY WITH YOU.
See Also Legends of Irulappa Swami, Angala Parameswari and Karuppa Swami
3.Nondi Irul appasamy temple
situated in eastern side of the village is like thirukkural – though second line is handicapped, no One can underestimate thirukkural’s messages.
4. Badra Kali Amman Temple:
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| Badra Kali Amman - Old idol |
This is one of the temples which attract devotees from other villages by Khechari (darshan in dreams) power of Amman. Another legend is that Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi were worshipped in a palace (Part II palace) which is demolished twenty years before. It is a belief that they are still “see”ing their establishment, from Angalaparameswari temple in North West and Badra Kali temple in South East directions.
5.Mariamman Kovil
It is located in northern part of the village, too is recently renovated.
6.Chamundeswari Temple
It is in southern part of the village.
One may wonder the unique diversity of the village - people speaking Tamil, Telugu and kannada; following Hindu religion and Christianity (three major branches of churches). In addition, name any community - the village proudly has. It is its uniqueness and one cannot find in anyother village.
7. Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple or Shivan Kovil:
Forgotten temple of Ilayarasanendal, got noticed when devotees got “grace and success from the roof” after their visits. Over and above, shivan called sannyasi/sannyasins from other places as care takers by his order in their dreams.
Now it is a custom to visit this temple after their trip to Angalaparameswari temple. The temple is believed to reduce the ill effects of seven and a half Saturn influence with the help of Anjaneya and Ullasa Ganapathi.
8.Perumal Kovil:
Perumal Kovil like Shivan kovil exhibits standard tamil architects with beautiful theerthams/ theppakkulams in agraharam street. Come markazhi, bajans from devotees overflows across main streets in early morning.
9.Ayyanar Kovil:
The annual festival in mahasivaratri draws maximum crowd all over from the district , as near as from Melappatti and as far as from Kadayanallur. This temple called Thalaikavudaya Ayyanar Kovil belongs to Vadugaya Yadava community and situated outside the village in western part crossing periyakulam.One may wonder, has Ilayarasanendal become a kailash during the festival like wedding of shiva and parvati in himalayas [which created imbalance because of which agasthiya rishi has to travel to south].
Mahasivaratri is an important festival for Ilayarasanendal, where the descendants (now spread over the entire world) visits innumerable temples situated in all eight directions. Apart from Angalaparameswari,others with sizeable follow up are Lingammal; Gengmmal Kovil.
10.Temples of 18steps Karuppasamy & Sudalai Madappasamy are situated near bus stop.
11. Jeeva Samadhi:
Ilayarasanendal Ravilla Shri.Paperananda Ramachandra Venkatachala Surappa Sankara Narayana [P.R.V.S.S] Appasamy Naidu Garu’s“Small Palace” is a place where Baba’s Guru “Paper Swami” from Podhigai attained Jeeva Samadhi.“Guru Pooja” is the annual festival celebrated at “Small Palace.”
Babas are eternal.
At least three in our generation are worth noticing.
a. Tamil version 18-siddha kriya yoga claims that stone carving of lord Badrinarayan depicts a youthful male figure sitting in lotus posture with a striking resemblance to Babaji.
B.Bengali version “Auto biography of a yogi” by Paramahamsa Yogananda centers on initiation to an army clerk Lahiri Mahasaya’s adventures at Ranikhet [Queen’s Field].
C.Podhigai version embraces babaji who advocated “Apana Mudra” kriya [a mudra which focuses on adhi (ether element-mid finger) and andham (earth element-ring finger) of pancha bhudhas] for purification and yogic experience of sat-chit –ananda. This is the mudra Rajnikanth performed in his film “Baba”.
See also Mystic Powers of Paper Swamy
Siddhar Peruman Paper Swamigalin Jeeva Saritham
Rain Shower by the Grace of Paper Swamigal
12.Roman Catholic Church of Nativity of our Lady:
Located in ambalam [city centre], it is a vibrant church with mass prayers in morning as well as in evening. The services of RC Middle School is commandable. Mary festival during Christmas forms an important celebration.
Ilayarasanendal Parish is one of the age-old parishes in the diocese of Palayamkottai. It was substation of Kalugumalai parish till the year 1929. It was created a new parish in 1930. It has Substations with Churches in Puliankulam, Venkatachalapuram, Melapatti and Nakkalamuthanpatti. The substations without church are Kudaparai, Sippiparai, Mukkuttumalai, Myparai, Pillayarnaththam.
OUT OF THE ORDINERY: THE CURSE OF NAGALAKSHMI & VEERALAKSHMI
Note: This is related to Part II Palace of Ilayarasanendal,
which is demolished thirty years before. The ruined palace is shown in the beginning
of TV9 Telugu Telecast “Part 4
Manaku Theliyane Mana Charitra”. Those who are interested to see the
telecast, they may watch it in the blog “The Aristocracy of Ilayarasanendal” dated
11/11/2015 before reading further.
As we remember, Nagalakshmi
and Veeralakshmi were worshipped in Part II Palace.
The last in the dynasty who
own the Palace is fondly called Nalla Dorar. Nalla Dorar had no children. Or the
Queen did not have the grace of Santana Lakshmi.
Let us see the nomenclature:
Lakshmi – The Goddess who
grants all your wishes.
Lakshmi also means Compassion.
Veeralakshmi-the Lakshmi who bestows courage and valour.
Nagalakshmi – the Lakshmi in Patala Loham or
Nether Lands.
It is not known when the worship of Nagalakshmi and
Veeralaskhmi was started in the Pooja room of Part II palace. But all good
deeds /Philanthropy by the Queens are being done after worshipping them. This worship is continued for over
centuries. Be it a big social acts or simply offering milk in a conch to new
born babies along with the gifts. [Conch is like a
brother for Lakshmi. New born babies are offered milk in a conch for precisely
this reason. Along with milk, the child is also fed with the grace of Lakshmi.
Please remember that conch is a natural material that occurred first in the
ocean.]
The
room is always free of clutter and is always energetic. The Queens of
the palace have cherubic faces. They are confident and bold, well trained in
soft skills by their mother-in laws. They have a beautiful appearance which
will radiate through their behavior. They are patient, perseverant, well
dressed and well attired. More over they had the best of intentions. The grains
are stored like gold in the palace.
Another place of Queens' focus is the big kitchen
at the south west corner of the palace with north and east entrances. The rice
used is as white as snow. They understand the virtue of the men of the palace
who shares the food with others. They speak with lot of warmth and affection.
The palace also had lot of white pigeons.
As written earlier, Nalla Dorar, the last in the
dynasty had no children. He decided to sell the Palace and move to Kovilpatti,
a nearby town. The buyer was interested in the wooden work of the palace. The
palace was demolished for the wood work. When it came to destroying the room of
Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi they could not proceed further. They enquired and
the demolish team was taken aback. But some locals were given the job of
destruction during night in a fully drunken state. Next day, when it is seen as
destructed, Rajeswari Ammal, the Queen of Periya Paper Raja of Small Palace
objected. Finally the trunk boxes of Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi moved to Badra Kali Temple.
The turn of events, followed it were really
stunning; and difficult to believe that they were coincidences. The three drunken
men who destroyed the room were paralyzed in a month. After six months, the
trunk boxes of Nagalakshmi Veeralakshmi in Badra Kali Temple was stolen by some-one.
Next day he climbed on a transformer and died. The reason for his act is still
not known. Many believe that they were victims of the curse of Nagalakshmi and
Veeralakshmi. Few are nostalgic about the past glory of good deeds happened in
front these deities of Ilayarasanendal.
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