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Kannagi-4

Every inch of Madurai city is embedded with a history and legend. If we start digging the roads of Madurai city we can write new history and literature . Kannagi's life has made very strong impact in Tamil nadu and Kerala state. Madurai city is still reflecting her sad tunes.

The long wide roads are making us to remember Kannagi. After her husband's death she just rushed towards king's palace through these roads. Where was the king's palace. May be near the Meenakshi temple.

While walking along the streets of Madurai still I am able to hear the following dialogues spoken by Kannagi.

 '' Let all the noble women of this Madurai listen to me! They must understand that their king is not honest to his people. Let them be aware about their country. Because of the Madurai king I am experiencing the worst tough time in my life like death sentence to a criminal.

My poor husband got punished by Madurai king without any court proceedings. But he is not a thief. I am going to see him alive now. Otherwise let all the great noble women of Madurai city abuse me.''

Listening to these words people in Madurai were put into mental stress and sorrow ness. They were even scared to see her. They thought that she was a goddess who has entered into Madurai to punish the king.

It was evening, slowly the sun rested in the west. Elango adikal says that the sun could not bare the tragedy that has happened in Madurai city and went to hide behind the western ghats.

When ever myself and Pradheep went to the city we were just imagining all these happenings and searching for the footprints of the great noble woman. We want to know where Kannagi and Kovalan stayed in Madurai? The place where he was killed , any temple for Kannagi? We just lived in dreams and devotion to Kodungalloor devi to show her foot prints.

One fine Monday , I was waiting for Pradheep in University office . There was a big show case with the sample copies of all the publications. I just looked into them. My eyes saw a book called '' Puhar mudhal Vanji varai''. It was written by Dr. Govindharasanar, a great Tamil scholar.

This book was my Bible for Kannagi study. I believe he was the incarnation of Elango adikal. The book was in my hand within few minutes. I just bunked the classes and read the entire book and started peeping into Pradheep's  tissue culture lab to come soon.

Yes the book has recorded every important places in connection with Kannagi. The great professor Dr. Govindharasanar has just spend his entire life to explore and excavate all places and monuments linked with Kannagi.

Throughout the night our 361 number room was filled with talks and mini research talks about Kannagi. We have to wait for next day evening to leave to the city. Next day we both went to Simmakkal near Madurai railway station.

We peeped into small streets of oil stores . There we saw the Sellath amman temple. It is a local goddess of Madurai. But it is having a legend which is sleeping in the  research books of Dr. Govindharasanar.

The temple is small. It is having an idol of Durga devi with 8 hands killing Mahisha sura. The idol looks very old and anger. Out side of the sanctum , on the right hand side we saw the small stone idol of Kannagi in sitting posture. She has folded her one leg and sitting like a new bride and holding an anklet. She has the hair style which is very very related to Madurai area. Why she is here? Let us go to next article.

Dr.Madeswaran

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Parent Category: Vedic Literature

Category: Silapathikaram - Kannagi

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Kannagi-5

Kovalan and Kannagi reached Madurai city and took abode under a cowhred family. Madhari and her daughter Aiyai made the couple to stay in a small clean house and helped them to relax. Kannagi was provided with vegetables and fruits and she also cooked aster long time , but that was the last meal she prepared for her beloved husband. The poor Kovalan also relished the meals and went into the city to face his end.

Aarapalayam is a very congested place in Madurai. It is one of the busstand area of Madurai near Vaigai river. Inside the busstand there is a large drainage running across the city.

That was the ancient fort canal of Pandiya kings . Next to that still we can see very very crowdy slums of cowhred community people with their cattles. This place is actually called '' Aayar palayam'' meaning residence of cowhred community.

Kovalan and Kannagi must have stayed in any one of the ancistor's family in this Aarapalayam. Silappathikaaram says that this community resided at the outside of Madurai fort near Vaigai river.

So we need to go back to 2 nd century A.D to see the small house where Kannagi stayed and cooked her last meal for her lord.

After killing the king she just wants to leave the city. She was the peak of distress. She reached the Duraga temple which is the Sellathamman temple in Simmakkal. She cried and broke her bangles and rubbed her kumkum and just started walking towards the west all alone , when every body were seeing her. She must have crossed this Aarapalayam area and then must have stepped into Vaigai river bank behind Nagamalai.     

Dr.Madeswaran

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The great Vanji .

When we were exploring various  places linked with Kannagi, one day after seeing my eagerness one of  my folklore arts professor called me and gave a cover. There was a big book inside that cover. It was Mr. Indhuchoodan's '' The secret chamber''.

The book is an encyclopedia  about Kannagi. The book narrates the every minute information about Kodungalloor Bahavathy temple dedicated to Kannagi. The book talks in detail about a particular spot inside the temple complex called '' the secret chamber''. The author declares that the secret chamber contains the precious jewels, costumes and body remains of Kannagi. The book has to be read with lot of patience.

When I read this within a night and narrated every thing to Pradheep, it was Onam festival in Kerala. So Pradheep planned to leave earlier to Kodungalloor . I left 2 days later and when landed in Kodungalloor, I felt that I have reached moon.

The research mind has made my eyes to see every spot in and around Kodungalloor with divinity and respect. Before 2000 years the 3 great south Indian dynasties Chera - Chola and Pandiyas have made the nation as a great civilization in this world. Thrir capital cities were Vanji - Poompuhar and Madurai. Out of this Poompuhar has washed away by the sea. Only Madurai is existing with its old pride. Vanji the modern Kondungalloor  is also still living with lot of legends burried in books and palm leaves . The ancient Tamil Chera country has evolved as melodious Malayalam language Kerala Bhoomi after 15th century.

The modern Malayalam has the richest  literary back ground from early Christian centuries . Malayalam language is the melodious girl  born to Tamil and Sanskrith languages. The ancient Tamil language of Cheras has produced  Silappathikaaram literature. The author Elango adikal and his brother Chera Chenguttuvan has lived in Kodungalloor.

Ottrai mulaichi amman:

The poet has recorded all the important areas of Vanji city. He has mentioned about the most sacred Shiva temple '' Thiru vanji kalam''. We had a visit to this temple. On the way we saw the small temple dedicated for Kannagi . There is small idol with only one breast . The idol is named and celebrated as '' Ottrai mulachi amman''. , meaning '' the goddess with one breast''. Kannagi tore her right side breast out of ferocious anger and threw on the streets of Madurai and cursed the city to get burnt. The name of the idol itself highlights the importance given to Kannagi by Chera kings.

The secret most spot:

Than all these my interest was to see the secret chamber. It is a very small granite slab closed chamber within the Kodungalloor sanctum . The chamber can be seen only from outside. There is a very small door , but always closed. There is a colorful dress  hanging at the door step. Rituals are done mainly to this area where a metal symbol to denote Goddess is placed. It is called as ''artha meru'' which depicts the geometrical dimensions of Goddess . To the left we can see the life size wooden idol of the Mahakali -- Sree Kodungalloor amma alas Kannagi.

Kannagi as Mahakali:

The greatest heroic deed happened in Madurai city became very famous all over Tamil countries. The king of Madurai was one of the most powerful ruler. He has conquered 7 great kings as a one man army show in a battle. He was well known for his pride and honesty. When Kannagi killed him she became the incarnation of Durga [ Goddess of destroying all evils]. So Chera has installed her as Kali form.

The idol is made of jack tree wood. Kannagi processes 8 arms. Let us see to her right side from the top. She holds a cobra, anklet, bell and skull . From the top left she holds a trident, palm leaf manuscript which depicts her life Silapathikaaram. Then she also holds the slayed head of king Pandiya Nedum chelian. There are so many versions about this idol. She also holds a long huge sword. Her left leg is hanging and right leg is folded and resting on an altar. The face is very very smashy, no expression because of oil smearing.

But the entire idol of Kannagi is decked with pure golden jewels and shields. The face is covered with a smiling golden mask with broad eyes, and tall crown. Her ears bears the head of a lion and an elephant to show her power.

The entire breast is covered with various jewels and chains. They all belong to Kannagi. After her death her parents have offered them to the idol. The waist is decorated with long  saree. Very often people offer her dress, lamps, garlands, swords and anklets.

Just  to her front we can see one more arthameru. There are many lamps. Six pure golden lamps are also there. There is a Shiva shrine next to her. There is small hall adjacent to her shrine where the 7 goddesses who helped Kali for her army get seated.

More than this there is nothing special inside the complex. But our mind has infinite imaginations and legends and emotional feelings about the great woman .

Shetrabalar:

Out side of the temple we can see a small shrine inside which there is a gigantic stone idol of a guard called '' shetrabala''......meaning local guard of the city. There is a belief that this idol was brought from Poompuhar city by Chera kings. This idol was known as '' Sathuka bootham''. This is demi god which was in Poompuhar. The god will tie and pull people who talk lies and go beyond honesty.

Very ancient idol of Kannagi:

Lets us take a round the temple. One of the most important spot is the Vaisoori devi ... goddess of small pox. The shrine is very small, opened at the top. There is a stone idol of Goddess without one breats and the face is smashed because of time. The head holds locks of hair spreaded all over her shoulder. She has 2 hands. They are just placed on the laps. People get turmeric powder and just trew on her along with pepper.

I can just relate this idol with the original the  stone idol  carved by Chera and got installed in Kambham valley. This may be the very ancient idol got worshipped by citizens of Kondungalloor. So one can just get seated under the big trees and go back to the ages when great historical events happened after Kannagi's death. Let us go to Thirukanna mathil akam.

Thirukanna mathil akam :

This is very near to Kodungalloor. This is the place where Elango adikal stayed and lived as a Jain monk and did his great epic. Today it is a small busy town in Kerala. Elango adikal has mentioned the place as '' Guna vaa il kottam'' meaning , '' the place to the west of Vanji city''. Pradheep's sister resides here. She is very much gifted to live in a such historical place .

So after going all around these places we both rested in his uncles home. Suddenly Pradheep came near me and whispered. Ho God? We just waited for every one to rest, Pradheep planned to climb over the shafts in his grand parents home.

For what?

Dr.Madeswaran

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Parent Category: Vedic Literature

Category: Silapathikaram - Kannagi

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What was inside the old trunk steel box?

Pradheep said that there is chance of getting a metal anklet from his grand - father's home. I was stunned! Why there should be an anklet? Let us visit  the great Kodungalloor city during red hot summer to understand why we searched for an anklet?

The unique most annual festival :

It is towards the March end , Kodungalloor temple hoists its scared flag to announce the annual festival. Before that people from all over Kerala and some parts of Tamil nadu start their journey towards Kodungalloor town. Most of them gather and start walking for many days.

These devotees belong to the most ancient tribal south Indian communities of the state. They are generally called as '' Bharani kaarar''., meaning '' people who comes for Bharani festival''. Kodungalloor annual festival is well known as '' Kodungalloor Bharani''.

Scared to see them , but they are harmless:

These devotees are very different looking in the way of dressing, talk, life style and culture. I got scared when I saw them . Men also resemble women. They are very rough and tough in talk and behavior.

They wear pure crimson color dress. The dress has 2 pieces. One piece adorns the waist with fleets. Another piece covers the chest like  X - stripe. The waist is decorated with leather belt stitched with brass, bronze bells and balls . They cling together and make loud sound. They wear thick heavy bronze anklets. I admire how they walk?

They hold a long steel sword and also hold an anklet and their hairs fly around the shoulders and they smear their body with turmeric and saffron pastes. Very often they meditate Kannagi and go into trans form  . They foretell and attract a great mass and collect money and grains for their survival.

They make noise and chants many secret syllables. When they travel, they stay in many villages and do rituals, magical foretells and cure diseases also. They stay in homes where they are received and respected. Families which welcomes them offer food, clothing and grains for the year.

Slowly they reach Kodungalloor town and start settling in the outskirts of the town and temple. On ''Aswathi day '' , the day before Bharani day the climax of the festival happens. If we see the festival with background of Silappathikaram , we can relish the divinity of the sacred most festival.

The sexy songs with the mastered mind and gestures:

People who come for Bharani festival holds long small sticks and sing sexy songs. The songs are very very sexy and if we listen they sense nonsense also. But there is no one in the festival performs uncontrolled gestures. This shows  the body  -- mind control of the devotees.

Some of the great leaders of Kerala have strongly protested against this festival but nothing has stopped this festival till today. They sing these obscene songs and come around the temple and throw coins, rupees and even ornaments made of gold and silver. They offer cocks and sheeps also. In olden days they have sacrificed animals but now only red cloths are spreaded on altar. Turmeric powder will be showered along with pepper. The whole town enjoys the festival. But they never get into the temple. Because it is closed and secret rituals will be performed inside the sanctum.

The sun burns the whole town, humidity shoots up. Around 2 to 3 P.M the most  sacred and important event takes place. It is called '' Kaavu Theendal''.

Kaavu theendal:

A goldsmith from a low caste family will be called to touch and temple bell and he rings for 3 times. Immediately every body just rushes and start running around the whole temple complex with the sword and anklets. This is the main event of the Bharani festival.

Interpretation of Kaavu theendal :

The goldsmith in Madurai played the horrible role in Kannagi's life. So their community has surrendered to her and must have settled in Kodungalloor city after her installation by the  Chera king. They must have dedicated them self  to Kannagi and accepted to perform this ritual.

This event will be published in all local newspapers. The timing will be also recorded and people watch in local channels. That evening , the main rituals will be offered to Kannagi and the temple will be opened for the devotees.

The sacred sandal paste:

During the secret rituals pure sandal paste and turmeric powder will be smeared on the broad breasts of Kannagi. This is to cure her wounds on breats when she tore to curse Madurai. This paste is considered to be very very  sacred and people compete  to get at least a pinch of it.

Next day is the Bharani day. But all the rituals will be done in secret and temple workers starts cleaning the temple complex.  Then why it is named as Bharani?

Bharani - star of victory:

In ancient Tamil country Bharani [ one among the Indian constellation ] was dedicated to Maha Kali [ goddess of war ]. Kings has commenced their war on this day. Elaborate rituals will be performed to Maha Kali and the war will start. So this star has been chosen to celebrate Kannagi's victory over the dishonest emperor.

Bharani literature:

One of the ancient literature style is Tamil language is  '' Bharani''. It can be compared to the modern video show and live telecast of wars. The poets gather in the battle field and start singing in praise of the king's braveness. If the king or any warrior kills 1000 elephants in the war the poet will compose that brave event in the form of Bharani literature. There are many  Bharani literary work in Tamil. But the literary concept has been shaped out as a festival involving people from all communities in Kodungalloor.

The Bharani star has been selected because to show Kannagi's braveness in killing the Pandiya king. All most most of the Kerala Kali temples observe this particular star to celebrate the annual festival in various months. Keral must feel proud in holding very ancient Tamil traditions. The Malayalam language is the mutated form of very old Tamil and Sanskrith. But still very old Tamil terms and cultural aspects are preserved in Malayalam and Kerala. I always feel happy to listen to it and live there. In Tamil nadu after many invasions there are so many changes in language and culture.

Why Kodungalloor Bharani falls during summer?

It is to realize Kannagi's braveness hotter than the sun? From January till April south Indians have time to relax after their long span of agriculture. By June Kerala enjoys its heavy monsoon and people have to concentrate in agriculture. Kodungalloor was the capital city and the king must have planned  for a vast festival and people from all over the country has to reach the town. So summer has been selected to celebrate this festival. Most of the Bharani devotees belong to agricultural back ground.

So in Kerala most of the Hindu families of particular communities have sword and an anklet as the symbol of Kannagi cult . So Pradheep also went and searched for an anklet and finally we too found an anklet.

It is made of bronze and very heavy and make loud noise  . The anklet is having an emblem of conch and it is smooth. So once in Pradheep's family ancestors have observed fasting and gone for Bharani festival inside the town. We gave the anklet to his uncle and polished it and brought it to Madurai. So an anklet which changed Kannagi's life has come back to Maduari. We placed that it our shelf and offered flowers and did regular prayers.

What is an anklet ?

Anklet is called '' silambu'' in Tamil. Women wear this anklet as an ornament in their feet. Usually anklets will be made of light silver, gold or alloy. It will be decorated outside or just will be plain. Most of the anklets look alike. Inside  the anklets people put gems, pearls or any other gem stones which make sound.

Kannagi's father was a great merchant. He has traveled across many  nations and gathered lot of wealth. So he has put precious gems inside her anklet. This made Kannagi to think about them for selling.

Pandiya kings were the owners of many pearl farms across east coast. They were exporting pearls all over the world. So he has put pearls inside the queen's anklets. This made Kannagi's intellect to think about the case . The pearls and the gems are the symbol of '' honesty and truth''. The anklets has proved Kannagi's husband as an innocent man and made her to bring out the truth.

So after Kannagi's life I think Tamil women stopped wearing these anklets and today they wear a different ornament. So we felt very very proud in having an anklet in our family. That too only one anklet will be there in  all homes. Because Kannagi took only one anklet and walked towards the king's court.

Dr.Madeswaran