Nachandupatti

Name

The original name of this place was Thirumalai Sam Uthiram. A fort was being built at Thirumayam for the residence of Oomaithurai (younger brother of Kattaboman). Good quality lime mortar (called sandhu or saanthu in Tamil) was prepared in this village. Hence, this place was also called Nar-Chandu-Patti or Nalla-Saanthu-Patti. Its name changed over a period of time to Nachandupatti.

General information

Natchandupatti is located 69 km from Tiruchirapalli, 17 km from Pudukottai route to Ponnamaravathi. It covers an area of 3.6 km², with a population of above 3500 people. Its pin code number is 622404.

This small village contains many Nagarathar houses built about 100 to 200 years ago, which are renowned for their architectural simplicity.

Each house of the village has a peculiar nickname like Kaattu Meeni Aayal Veedu or Suban Chettiar Veedu. Some notable streets are in the names of national leaders like Nethaji Street, Rajaji Street and Nehru Street.

Demographics

In addition to the Nagarathar community, there are 720 members of the Pulli caste in Nachandupatti covering people from five Nagara Kovils (Pillayarpatti, Vairavan Kovil, Elayathangudi, Ilupakudi, and Mathur). Of these over 650 live outside the village.

Public and commercial services

There is an ICICI bank, providing a locker division and an ATM of the Union Bank of India. There is also a post office. Other facilities include a public library and an Internet-Browsing Center.

There are three water tanks available in this place with rain-water harvesting facility, two of which are for general use and the third is exclusively for drinking purposes.

A Sunday market (Sandhai) occurs every week near Sivan Kovil Urani. There are many hotels which are open as late as 12:00 at night. There was formerly a cinema/theatre in the village.

Education

There is a higher secondary school named Ramanathan Chettiar Higher Secondary School, and an elementary school called Sri Shanmuga Vilasa Kalasalai.

Transport

Cab service is available round the clock. There are bus services to the nearby towns of Pudukottai and Ponnamaravathy, and a direct bus service to Chennai.

Community activity

To take care of elderly Nagarathar residents, a food scheme "Nagarathar Nala Maiyam" was started by some Nagarathars from Nachandupatti. This scheme is the first of its kind in Chettinad villages and now has been embraced in many other Chettinad villages too. In this scheme, food is delivered three times a day to the doors of elderly people for a very nominal fee of Rs 1000 per month. In addition the elderly residents receive a monthly free medical check. The expenses of the scheme are shared by local Nagarathar residents.

To safeguard the valuables of Nagarathars, a locker division has been established by local Nagarathars.

Religion

The deity Malayalingasvvamy is worshipped here. The god Vairavar is also considered to be very powerful.

Thai Poosam is a famous festival in this temple. During Thai Poosam people perform Annadhanam. Other ceremonies include Kavadi by devotees, and Thotti-Kattudhal for new born babies.

Adaikammai Appathal Padaipu (Padaipu) function is celebrated every two years in the Tamil month of Adi, on the 3rd Friday, at Adaikammai Appathal Padaipu Veedu. Members of Ilupakudi Kovil from 36 villages assemble together during this function. 2nd Friday of Adi the function starts in Thuvar Kovil with paal pongal. On the day of function people prepare pongal and paniyaram. Food is presented to God. Auction is conducted on 3rd Saturday of Adi. The 'Paal Panai' or 'Vinayaga Panai' will be auctioned first. The person who gets the paal panai will be considered royal in the village circle. On the following Friday ilampadaipu will be conducted in Thuvar Kovil.

Places of worship

There are many famous temples in and around Nachandupatti. One which is 200 years old is called 'Karrupar Kovil'.

During the Pallava regime, they carved temples within hills/ mountains. One such Shiva temple found in Nachandupatti is Malayakovil. Later a temple to Muruga was built by Nagarathars atop the mountain temple.

1. Chinna oorani Pilliyar 2. Sivan Temple 3. Murugan Temple 4. Sri Muthumariyyamman Temple [Pudur] 5. Perumal Temple 6. Iyyappan Temple 7. Mosque [Pudur] 8. Naga Devi Nallathangal Temple 9. Malaiakovil 10.Peraiyur Naganatha Swamy Temple

The Sri Muthumariyyamman Temple [Pudur] is more than 500 years old. At the Amman temple, it is celebrated one month for every Vaikasi Tamil Month.