Nattukottai Nagarathars were originally from the ancient land of
Naganadu, which is believed to be destroyed (either in an earthquake or floods) and this place was either north or northwest of
Kanchipuram. Nagarathars migrated and lived in the following places: ·
Kanchipuram (
Thondai Nadu) – From 2897 BC for about 2100 years ·
Kaveripoompatinam (Poompuhar), the capital of the early (
Chola Kingdom) – From 789 BC for about 1400 years. ·
Karaikudi (
Pandiya Kingdom) – From 707 AD onwards. When they were in Naganadu these Dhana
Vaishyas had three different divisions: 1.
Aaru (Six) Vazhiyar 2.
Ezhu (Seven) Vazhiyar 3.
Nangu (Four) Vazhiyar All these three divisions were devoted to
Maragatha Vinayagar. Only after they migrated to the
Pandya Kingdom they were called as Ariyurar, Ilayatrangudiyar, and Sundrapattanathar. They celebrate Pillaiyar Nonbu in honor of Vinayagar based on the communal legend that their ancestors got lost at sea at Kaveripoompatinam and prayed for 21 days before reaching a shore. Nagarathars of Ilayatrangudiyar were later called as Nattukottai Nagarathar. Ariyurar (Aruviyur) Nagarathars further split into 3 divisions: Vadakku Valavu (North), Therku Valavu (South) and
Elur Chetty. Sundrapattanathar Nagarathars migrated to Kollam district in
Kerala and their history is completely lost now since there was no record keeping. How they reached that place, which at the time comprised adjacent parts of the ancient states of
Pudukkottai,
Ramnad and
Sivagangai, is uncertain, with various legends being recorded. There are various claims regarding how they arrived in that area. Among those are a claim that they were driven there because of persecution by a
Chola king named Poovandhi Cholan whilst another states that they left due to Poombuhar's proximity to the sea when the city was
destroyed. There are also several legends about the decline in female population prior to moving to the Pandya kindgdom leading to many unmarried men, who were eventually allowed to marry
Vellalar women. No more details are clear about this story and as to why the Nagarathar left the Chola kingdom and moved away from Kaveripoompattinam to the Pandya kingdom. Another older one, recounted to
Edgar Thurston, that they were encouraged to go there by a
Pandyan king who wanted to take advantage of their trading skills. The legends converge in saying that they obtained the use of nine temples, with each representing one
exogamous part of the community. They may have become maritime traders as far back as the 8th century CE. They were trading in salt and by the 17th century, European expansionism in South East Asia during the next century fostered conditions that enabled the community to expand its trading enterprises, including as moneylenders, thereafter. By the 19th century were their business activities developed into a sophisticated banking system, with their business expanding to parts of South and
Southeast Asian countries such as
Sri Lanka,
Myanmar,
Malaysia,
Singapore,
Indonesia, and
Vietnam. Their economic prominence and wealth elevated their social status, and they were often considered above
Brahmins in certain contexts. In addition to their economic prominence, the Nattukottai Nagarathars have been renowned for their philanthropic contributions to religious and social causes. They donated generously to the construction, renovation, and maintenance of numerous
Shiva and
Vishnu temples across Tamil Nadu and other regions, leaving a lasting legacy in the religious and cultural heritage of South India. This charitable tradition further elevated their social standing and cemented their role as patrons of South Indian religious institutions. Furthermore, some Nattukottai Nagarathars ascended to kingship through their wealth and influence. Although kings are traditionally associated with the
Kshatriya varna in the
chaturvarna system, the Nattukottai Nagarathars' rise to power was based on their economic achievements rather than hereditary lineage.
Community divisions or clans The nine Hindu temples connected with the Nattukottai Nagarathar community that were built in the 8th century include:
Ilayathangudi, Iluppaikudi, Iraniyur, Mathur, Nemam,
Pillayarpatti, Soorakudi,
Vairavan, and Velangudi. Each temple maintains a count of the number of families associated with it called
pulli. Marriage between members of the same temple (
pangali) is not allowed. Vairavan temple also has divisions but does not follow this rule. Members of Iraniyur and Pillayarpatti cannot intermarry since they are considered family after a pair of brothers were split between the two temples during the 13th century. ==Cuisine==