My ancestors are from the town of Nagapattinam – they were trustees of the Krishnar Kovil at Nagapattinam. About five generations ago, when Nagapattinam was beseiged by sea water ingress, and all land became barren and soaked in salt, my ancestors abandoned all property and the temple for the city of Srirangam to start a new life. In those days losing so much of property and wealth was considered a shame of great volumes and people quietly moved to another place to build a new identity.
Krishnar skipped almost four generations in popularity as “Kula Daivam” (concept similar to patron saint), often referred only in “thatha- paatti” (grandparents) stories of ancestors. For almost 130 years no one from the family visited the temple.
I am very happy to say that last week my sister in law Padma, my athai Komala and I visited Krishnar at Nagapattinam to peep in and say that we are still devoted to him. It was a wonderful journey and we were spell bound by the sculpture of Krishnar at Nagapattinam. I will do a detailed post on our journey soon.
We offered Maa Villakku to Krishnar – we used “Nattu Sakkarai” (a kind of yummy sugar) instead of Jaggery. Click here to see the recipe for Maa Villakku that I posted earlier.
I am linking to Maa Villakku recipe on the request of Gayatri who wanted it for Purattasi Sanikizhamai Balaji Puja (Puja to Lord Balaji on the saturdayof Purattasi month in Tamil Calendar).
Hi Latha, Nice dear that ur generation again initiated and started the celebrations of ur ancestors after 130 years for ur kula deivam. Our kula deivam is Eeswar from videeswaran kovil. We also do the same mavilakku maavu but with Jaggery every year. Nice that u enjoyed ur trip.
Thanks for your sweet words rohini! :)) I too have visited vaideshwaran koil! latha.
wow…Informative post……We make this prasadam too…but don’t remember what we call it…I actually love this one a lot…..Thanks for making me remember this pristine dish 🙂
Thanks sirisha! all prasaadams taste heavenly!:)) latha.
So glad to hear that Latha. We all get busy with modern life and forget about the past. So good to hear that you visited after so many years.Hope you took some photos,love to see those.
We have two old and unused temples where my thatha’s farm is and both are infested with bats, smell bad too but looks beautiful from outside.So sad to see those going waste.
Yes asha, I have taken pictures and will post a write up soon! In fact it is an interesting story of how we decided to visit this place after so many generations! I need lakshmi’s writing skills to present the story well!:)) latha.
ditto to the other comments…my neighbour used to go every friday to a devi temple called “Puthiyakaavu” and offer maa vilakku…i used to wait for her to bring the maavu as prasadam..n yaa..im in chennai…lemme know when u guys r planning to meet up..will defenitely be there!!
I am really jealous of the chennai bloggers! Have a nice time ! :)) Yes the Maa vilakku maavu is very tasty! latha.
Dear Lathaji, Even our ancestors built an Hanuman Temple in our village and now we (our family) performs everyday puja in there. Your post reminded me of our temple as it had been such a long time. Thanks for the dish too..:D
Definitely visit your ancestors temple on your next trip siri! It just needs some planning and the willingness!:))latha.
Wow!! so wonderful to know genealogy going generations back!!
Really great
I am collecting delails from my parents, aunts and uncles! My idea is that lakshmi should wrtite a story about this! latha.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful traditions!
Your recipes are so easy to follow, and thanks again for the delicious recipes.
Thanks for those compliments Kumuda! I like your idea of being vegan!:)) latha.
thats a nice info.
Thanks sharmi! latha.
Hi Mami,
I had a question for you – what does “Sri vidya upasakai” mean? Do they do special pujas everyday? I know its not related to cooking but am very curious to know about this and was wondering if you can answer this question…
Dear anu, I have sent you a mail wrting whatever I know about Srividya Upachakar! latha.
thats very unique and authentic never knew of this wick! thanks for sharing :)!
This is one of the oldest traditions in our community Roopa! :)) latha.
Hi Latha, What a powerful story. Did you take photos of the shrine? I would love to see them.There’s a scene in the new Edith Piaf film in which women take the child Edith to the shrine of St. Therese to ask for help with her eyesight, which has been damaged by illness.I like very much the idea of family temples. Thanks.
Thanks Emily! I will be posting the pictures and a writeup on our journey in a day or two! It was a wonderful experience! latha :))
Your post has reminded me of our Kula Daivam, when ever we visit Visakhapatnam we used to go to Her temple. Such a nice post!
Yes Padma! Kuladaivam is like a member of our family, who is concerned about our well being! :))latha.
Nice traditional pic! looking eagerly for your journey post:)
I am preparing the post on our trip Sobila! Lakshmi is also busy this weekend. She does the editing of essay type posts so we will post on monday or tuesday:))latha.
That is very informative post LathaN. Viji
Thanks viji!
Dear Latha madam,
My father is also born and boughtup in Nagappatinam only,and still they do visit the place yearly once atleast,as they are not living there now, to visit the kuladheyva koil there! We also will prepare maavilakku like this and make poojas..You have just remainded me all those wonderfull days.. thank you for your posting:))
Dear raji, I am so thrilled to know that your parents visit Nagai every year! Which temple do they visit?
My family always thought that Tirupathi was their kuladaivam!:))
Dear latha madam,
In nagapattinam,I forgot the exact place, but my mother will be teling “perumal kovil stopping”when we go by bus,and its the famous perumal kovil there. But ours temple is a different one “angaalamman kovil”,which is on the main road itself.Its a small kovil.Now my parents are in Bangalore only,with my brother. I am looking forward for your next posting on your tour:))
And one more obligation,how do I join the food blog desam?
Thanx in advance for your reply!!
Dear Latha madam!
If you have some photos of Nagappattinam please upload in this site as I was brought there till my 7th Std.I studied in CSI middle school there. I used to visit all the temples with my mother, but we shifted from there 20 years back but my memories to this place are fresh indeed.
Hi Priya, I too studied in the same school till my 7th std. Which batch from you are and where are you rite nw?
Dear Anitha!
I was there in Nagai till 1986.Then i shifted to Chennai to pursue my higher studies.After marriage i went to Delhi and now since one year,I am at America. Still my relatives are there in Deva iyer street,Nagai.
What about you?
hi there I am lakshmi, I also studied in CSI middle school now married and settled in Delhi
I too lived around this Krishnar Kovil between 1970~1980.The pattachchariyar was Nagai Mukundan’s father that time.