Volume : 4 | Issue : 3 | Mar 2015 ISSN - 2250-1991 Research Paper History Car Festival of Ramalingaswamy - Sivagami Ambhal Temple in Panagudi, Tirunelveli District – A Study Assistant Professor of History, History Wing, DDE, Annamalai A. MUTHUKUTTI University, KEYWORDS History, Temple Copper plate, Saivism, Saiva Siddhanta, Car Festival, Society Tamil Nadu is one of the grandest museums temple and a multi-Religious society. The research area of Panagudi is one of the historical important place of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. The article explained the car festival and spread of Saivism in Panagudi area. Many kings are ruled in the place. The Historical name is called “Murathanadu”, next “Panaigudi”, then “Panargudi” and “Panagudi”. Panagudi is situated on the river bank of Hanumannathi. The Siva temple of Ramalingasway - Sivagami Ambhal is built in the early year of the 14th century. Some other dynasties are ruled in Panagudi. Now a day’s ABSTRACT many pujas and festivals are conducted by the local people. INTRODUCTION: Then Uddhama Pandya ruled that time built this temple and Tamil Nadu is one of the grandest museums of temple and a the Vasantha Madam.10 That time Panagudi was called as multi-religious society.1 Temples are one such means of pre- “Uddhamapandiapuram”.11 After the chola king of Rajaraja serving the memory of our ancestors. Our ancestors had un- I was captured the Pandia country and the boundary to Pa- questionable faith in the statement “Let us not live in a village nagudi.12 Then since 1190 A.D. till 1322 A.D. the place ruled which is devoid of a temple”. by Vira Pandia, Maravarman and Sundara Pandian. Further Kulasekara Pandia occupied upon the Chola rule of Panagu- An attempt has been made in this article to study the histo- di in 1216 A.D.13 Panagudi captured by Kulasekara Pandian. ry of “the importance of Ramalingaswamy - Sivagami Ambhal Once again this place was come under the Pandia king.14 From temple Car festival in Panagudi. The Ramalingaswamy - Siva- A.D 1484 to A.D 1515 the Pandia country was reigned by Kr- gami Ambhal temple in the Town Panchayat of Panagudi is ishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar Empire.15 But Udaya Marthan- dedicated to the god Ramalingaswamy and his wife the god- davarman of a Chera king captured in Panagudi and ruled this dess Sivagami Ambhal a form of Shiva, and it is one of the place.16 After Panagudi defeated by Achchuthayan of Vijayan- largest and most popular Siva temple in South India. Pana- gar Empire in 1532 A.D.17 Then Vishvanatha Nayak of Ma- gudi is a big village situated on the South of Tirunelveli Dis- durai, Ramaiya Nayak, Rani Mangamma and Rani Meenakshi trict in Tamil Nadu. Tirunelveli as “Collector of Tinnelvelly” are ruled in Panagudi.18 Next Arcot Nawab ruled in 1740 A.D. was formed in 1790 by the East India Company.2 Later came in the area.19 In 1800 A.D. Panagudi ruled under the British under the direct control of the British crown queen Victoria. rule.20 The name Tirunelveli has been composed from the three Tamil words i.e., Thiru-Nel-Veli meaning sacred paddy hedge.3 Tem- At present it is the head quarters of the Panagudi Town ples which influence the social life of the people of Panagudi Panchayat. After the bifurcation of the Radhapuram Taluk, Pa- serve as the citable of culture and help the people to integrate nagudi lies within the areas of two parts. The total area of the and lead a peaceful life. The object of the study is to exam- village is 49 square kilometers. The population of the village ine the truth about certain traditions noticed in the worship 26,987 (census report 2011) and in the conduct of Car Festival performed in the temple. In South India each temple, Saiva or Vaishnava, has its own LEGENDARY ORIGIN OF THE VILLAGE: sacred day for its car festivals.4 The origin of the name “Panagudi” is still shrouded in mys- tery. The village has been originally Known as “Uddhama ANTIQUITY OF PANAGUDI: Pandiapuram”, as it was once ruled by Uddhama Pandian. The village Panagudi is situated on the river bank of the Ha- The derivation of the name ‘Panagudi’ is very interesting. It numanadhi5, the South West tip of Tirunelveli District in Ta- is a combination of the Tamil words ‘Panam’ and ‘Gudi’ “the mil Nadu. Panagudi is bounded by Radhapuram on the east, money place” or threasury.21 The term ‘Panam’ refers to the Vallioor on the north, Kavalkinaru on the south and Western place of money the other term ‘Gudi’ means ‘living place’, Ghats on the west. It is located twenty seven kilometers north ‘people’. The historical period is called as “Panaigudi”22 or of Nagercoil. Till A.D 94 to A.D 140 it was the head-quarters ‘Panangudi’.23 Then ‘Panagudi’24 is known as the “Muratha of Aai - Andhiran King. After him Nedunchedian Pandian cap- Nadu”25 of the Sucindram inscription. tured Panagudi.6 Then Kochadaiyan ruled Aal Aaya (al Aaya) Panagudi from 700 A.D. to 730 A.D. But he was under it LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: reign of Nedunchedaiyan Pandian. Kochadaiyan was a small The Siva temple at Panagudi is called as “Ramalingaswamy king in Panagudi. He fought against Aaya king and he met in - Sivagami Ambhal Temple” situated at the North western maruthur battle. After the war, he capture and ruled in Pana- side of big Western Ghats in the Panagudi village, Radhapu- gudi. Ramalinga Swamy Temple Plate supports this event.7 ram Taluk, Tirunelveli District. The surrounding sides have been classified as temple purambokku and occupy 15.20 Next Maravarman ruled in Panagudi from 860 A.D. to 880 acres. The Principal temple is one dedicated to Siva under the A.D.8 Many Brahmins were settled in Panagudi, the period name Ramalingaswamy, curiously enough, it contains a small of Maravarman Pandian. They were conducted the Pujas and Vaishnavite temple inside it.26 The temple has been beauti- Festivals in the temple. That time near place of Kalakadu was fied by Gopura Mandapam in front of it and Pottamaraiku- ruled by Varaguna Pandian whose southern boundary was Pa- lam on the east. There is a separate sannathi for Sivagami, nagudi.9 Nambi Singa perumal, Natarajar, Dekshanamurthi, Kasivish- vanathar, Meenakshiamman, Murugan, Kannivinayagar, Suri- 6 | PARIPEX - INDIAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH Volume : 4 | Issue : 3 | Mar 2015 ISSN - 2250-1991 an, Sandiran, Sanishwarar and Parikara Devars. It is a peculiar holy for a bath. By the 7th century temple festivals came to feature in this temple. The Molasthanas of Lord Ramaling- be systematized. Gnanasambanthars references to a number arswamy and Sivagami Ambhal have been carved outside the of festivals held in the 37 temples in Tamil Nadu confirm the stone walls. It is really a big stone temple in the Radhapuram existence of a festival calendar for the Tamil century in Siva Taluk, in Tirunelveli District. Temples.38 LEGEND AND HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE: Festivals are held on all Pournami days (full moon days) A legend narrates the history of the Panagudi Siva temple that throughout the year but mostly they are one day festivals was situated once upon a time in the South Pandia country expect the annual festivals which are one or more and gen- ruled over by Pandias. These Pandias are also known as Ma- erally held on different months depending on local traditions durai Pandias, Thenkasi Pandias, Pancha Pandias and Iyvar Ra- the other festivals are for a day.39 Festivals expose the basic jas. The Chera and Pandia kings who ruled over the region for tradition and philosophy.40 They are prestige and attraction to some time, Ramalinga Temple built in the early years of the the temple. They are occasions of specials worship musical 14thcencury.27The first this temple called Sotta Narayanam.28 concerts dance performances and recital of sacred hymns in Uddhama Pandia came to the temple to worship Ramalinga the halls meant for them.41 Festival is otherwise known as Sir- and arranged for Pujas and Festivals in the temple. Festivals is uppu or Saru according to Tamil literature.42 During the festival an occasion when the aspects of life like Jay, Beauty, richness, days the Utsavamurti and other deities and well adorned and magnificence, harmony are all emphasized.29 At that time he decorated and brought in procession in the main sheets which came to know that Lord Siva was peacefully residing in the appear to be a salient feature of the temple festivals.43 store naturally situated Panagudi area. Then he constructed the front mandapam. It is said that a shepherds brought to People high and how princes and peasants have made sub- the notice of the king the stone temple and Lord Ramalingas- stantial contributions to the conduct of daily worship and wamy. It is evident that the state of the shepherd is found in festivals.44 It is already said that the Agamas enjoin the wor- southern side of Lord Siva shrine. After the reign of Uddhama ship of god in temples and the houses as well.45 A number of Pandia Raja, his successors did Thiruppani to this temple in the festivals are celebrated in this temple every month throughout year 14th century. Further the many Chera and Pandia kings the year, of which Vaikasi, Aipsi, Kanthasasti, Thirukalyanam, did Thiruppani after the 14th century. So Saivism is spread in Vaikasivisakam, Taipoosham, Car Festival and Dappam are im- the areas. Most of the people are worshiped in the temple. portant. All festivals attract countless denotes far and near Saivism is growth of the peace, love, believe and blessing.