One of the projects that Religion and Culture Committee took upon is to capture the entire 10 dayPattinathar Thiruvizha in digital format.

Pattinathar History

Saint Paṭṭiṉattār was a Saivaite and a Spiritual leader. He was born toSivanesa and Gnanakalai. His father was a trader in Pumbuhar, Thanjavur district. He was also called asThiruvengadar by the people. When he was five years old, he lost his father. Like his father he was Lord Shiva's devotees. At sixteen years, he was married to Sivakalai, daughter of another trader by the name of SivasithamparamChettiyar and his wife Sivakaamy. Even after fifteen years of marriage they had no children. Lord Shiva appeared in another devotee's dream and asked him to hand over a baby to Thiruvengadar. The divine child grew up and followed in his father's footsteps. Once the father sent him on a ship with a good lot of merchandise and when he came he just brought back sacks full of paddy husks. The father was angry and locked him up in a room and after going to the harbor, threw the husks out. He was surprised to see they were all gold; every dried piece of the husk turned out to be gold dust and also had precious gems in the sack. He hurried home to see his son. He was not in the locked room. His wife gave him a small box the son had given before he disappeared. In it was a palm-leaf manuscript and a needle without an eyelet. On the script were the following words (in English for understanding): "Not even an eyeless needle will accompany you in the final journey of life." Pattinathar (Thiruvengadar) realized the philosophy and wisdom of the words, and renounced everything - his wife, his wealth, his kith and kin and all other mundane attachments. He sang many philosophical songs to enlighten people on the blissful state of renunciation. He sang about the human life and its complex dimensions, made his lyrics more appealing to the common man. He urged repeatedly not to be attached to the body and its pleasures, for the body perishes and becomes food for animals and worms. Think of God and surrender at God's feet. Pattinatthar worshiped Shiva at the Srikalahasti temple, which has inspired great poetic and musical works. Pattinathar displayed his soul power through several incrediable wonders and lifted 'Duhkartis' from the snares of misery. The samadhi [attained salvation in this place] of Pattinatthar is a historic landmark located on the Ennore Expressway in Tiruvottiyur. It is believed to be around 500 years to 1100 years old .

PattinatharThiruvizha

The Pattinathar festival is organized annually in and around the Pallavaneswarar temple in Kaveripoompattinam (Poompuhar) by a KandanurN.Ar. Mahadeva Kasi Chettiar family. During the ten days of the festival, which takes place in the Tamil month of Aadi (July - August), the entire story of Pattinathar is narrated/enacted in the form of songs, skits, discourses and events, drawing thousands of Chettiyars from all parts of the world. Most of them stay in the Nagara Viduthi that was built in Poompuhar in 1930 that was solely built for the purpose of this festival. Since then, the festival has been unfailingly organized by the KandanurN.Ar. Mahadeva Kasi Chettiar family year after year. Some of the key functions that will be enacted during this Thiruvizha include:

• Engagement Ceremony (Pesimudichikrathu) - enactment of how engagement (prior to marriage) is done involving both bride and groom families.
• Marriage ceremony - enactment of how Chettiyar Marriage function typically takes place along with the display of Seer.
• Child adoption ceremony - includes ear piercing, placing of the new-born in silver cradle and thalattu to the accompaniment of traditional Nagarathar lullabies.
• Chettiyar custom of traveling/sailing abroad (to different parts of Asia) for trade and bidding farewell by friends and relatives during send-off.
• Last Rights Ceremony - Performing the last rituals with due rights and formalities in the traditional Chettinad style.

For more information see PattinatharThiruvizha Brochure

How you can Help?

Please support us by donating or purchasing the video and also help KandanurN.Ar. Mahadeva Kasi Chettiar family continue this tradition in future.

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