Tuesday, June 15, 2010

History

Tirunelveli is an ancient city, as evidenced by the findings of archaeological excavations which have been going on since 1840s, in the outskirts of the city in Adichanallur (now under Tuticorin district). At this site, the archaeologists have unearthed an urn which could date back to 500 B.C,containing a complete human skeleton and clay vessels with some rudimentary Tamil Brahmi script inscribed on them. Other ancient urns in which the elderly were buried have also been found in the same district.Along with skeletal finds, husks, grains of rice, charred rice and celts have also been found.

More recent excavations at this site has led to the discovery of a habitation site of the Iron Age people. Archaeologists opine that it is about 3000–3800 years old, from the Neolithic period.This has assured us that Tirunelveli has been an abode for human habitation for 3000 years or more. Now, Adichanallur has been announced as an archaeological site for further excavation and studies.

The Pothigai Malai (hill), also known as the Agasthiyar Malai, is in the Ashambu hills, part of the Annamalai Hills in the southern part of the Western Ghats of southern India is in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Legend says that Sage Agastya (also written as Agasthiyar or Agathiyar) created the Tamil language here.. At 1,866 meters, it is the highest peak in the rugged Ashambu hills, which have one of the richest concentrations of biodiversity in the Western Ghats. The area is known for its spectacular views, beautiful forests and waterfalls, ancient temples and the river Tamirabarani, the lifeline of the region. According to the Mahābhārata, Lord Shiva sent the two saints (or sages) Vyasa and Agastya to create the divine languages Sanskrit and Tamil. Lord Murugan imparted spiritual knowledge to Agathiyar. Sage Agathiyar on the instruction of Lord Murugan originated the Tamil language. Agathiyar came to Pothigai and established the Tamil culture. The Tamil spoken in the Tirunelveli district is considered to be very pure. After establishing the Sidhar Gnana Koodam center for scientific research, and later traveling throughout the world spreading the knowledge gained, Agathiyar returned to a spot called Dashina Meru in the Pothagai hills, where he merged into the cosmos. A temple has been built for him at this spot, close to the Papanasam Falls on the banks of the Thamirabarani River. It is said that Sage Agathiyar occasionally gives appearances to sincere aspirants and devotees.

The history of Tirunelveli was extensively researched by Bishop Robert Caldwell.(Christian missions in the 19th century in Tinnevelly played a significant part in the development of education as well as religious conversion.)

The known history says that Tirunelveli had been under the prominence of the Pandya kings,serving as their secondary capital while Madurai remained its primary capital. It was an important city of the Chola kingdom (c.900–1200)and of the Vijayanagar empire. The city was the chief commercial town in the period of Arcot Nawabs and Nayaks. They were among the various ruling dynasties of Tamil Nadu. In fact, they called the city "Nellai Cheemai", with cheemai meaning a developed foreign town.It was the Nayaks who, in 1781, granted its revenues and local administration to the British. In 1801, it was annexed by the British, who governed it until India achieved independence in 1947.

On acquisition from the Nawab of Arcot in 1801, the British anglicized its name as Tinnevelly and made it the headquarters of Tirunelveli district. This happened despite the fact that their administrative and military headquarters was located in Palayamkottai (which was also anglicized as Palankottah),during their operations against the Palayakars. Post-independence, both towns reverted from their anglicized names to their original names and grew together as twin cities.

The city's historic heritage includes the Swamy Nellaiappar temple and the Sri Kandimathi Ambal temple, both of which are ancient Saivite temples. It is also the site of Asia's second largest two-tiered bridge, the Tiruvalluvur Bridge, which connects Tirunelveli Town and Junction. Nellaiappar temple Car festival is conducted every year in the month of Tamil month Audi. Nellaiappar car is third largest temple car in Tamil Nadu next to Tiruvaroor and Srivilliputtur. Also, a Golden Temple car (First Inaugural run of Nellaiappar Temple Golden Car is November 2, 2009) will run during important festivals like Thirukalyanam, Kaarthigai, Aaruthra Festival etc.

The Nellaippar (sivan) sannadhi faces the swami sannadhi street. Gandhimathi amman (Parvathi) faces the amman sannadhi street.

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