(Input from Shri K.R. Narasimhan, who was a resident of the village for a long period during late 50s and early 60s)
About Kazhiyur Village
Geographical Location: Kazhiyur village is located 29 kms from Kanchipuram, 5 KM Cheyyar about 81 KM from Thiruvannamalai and 103 KM from Chennai. It is a small but beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields, lakes and ponds. The population of the village as per 2011 census was 1823, consisting of 945 male and 878 female. As of the year 2021, the population is 2091. The predominant profession of the village is agriculture.
Layout of Kazhiyur
The set-up of the Kazhiyur Village is unique and its layout stands an example of how a village should be formed. The formation of the streets with Sree Ethirajavalli Naayikaa Sametha Aadhikesava Perumal Temple (also called Varadaraja Perumal Temple, as the Utsavar of this temple is known as Lord Varadaraja) as the pivotal point is such that on an aerial view the streets would present a picture of a beautiful garland to the temple. In front of the Temple is Sannadhi Street (called Agraharam) with houses on both sides facing North and South and a few houses on the North and South sides of the koil (temple). About 100 years back entire Agraharam was inhabited by Sree Vaishnavaas and there were about 50 houses. On the Front side (Eastern side) of the Temple (at the end of the Agraharam), there is a street mostly comprising of professionals like Dhobis, Pandaarams, Naavithars, etc. They are essentials for the temple kainkaryams. They used to come to the koil daily to perform their duties. On both sides behind the Agraharam, there are two streets each comprising of farmers, the backbone of the entire village. Street on the rear side of the temple (Western side), houses families of Chettiyars, Acharys, Vaidhyars etc., who are important for the welfare of the village. Acharis do the work of carpentry, some are blacksmiths and some are called Vanians who extract oil with a wooden Cold Press(called in Tamil Chekku). In fact, it is in this area that the famous and recently renovated Chekkadi Amman temple is situated. Thus, there were Seven streets around the Koil.
Nature’s Gift to the Village
The village has two tanks. Small Tank is called Pillai Kulam which is the reservoir for the bigger tank from where people used to draw water for drinking. The water is extremely sweet and potable. There are three other separate ponds for the animals. Two lakhs with different dimensions (called Bhooderi (the small lake) and Peri-yeri (Big lake) are the sources of water for the cultivable lands at Kazhiyur. A few kilometers east of the village is a hill, full of herbal plants, the wind refreshes the villagers with the effect of the herbal contents mixed in the air. River Cheyyar is nearly a kilometer from the Village.
Temples of Kazhiyur
While the Adhikesava Temple is predominant, the Village is surrounded by as many as 7 Kaali temples. They are considered as the Kaaval Thevathais of the village. On the Extreme West is the Ellaiyamman Temple, in the Big lake, in Rock form without any structure. Famous is Chekkadi Amman temple referred to above, on the Southwest side of the Koil. What is Samayapuram for Lord Ranganatha is Chekkadi Amman for Adhikesavar. Drugas are considered as the sister of Lord Mahavishnu. (Andal in Nachair Thirumozhi refers to the Durga as “Andhari” in famous Vaaranamaayram Padhikam. ) Sree Vaishnavaas used to go to the temple and also present yearly offerings. Other such temples are on the bank of the Tank (Kulam), on the banks of the Erulan Kuttai (Northern side of the Village) and Aaya kuttai (on the Eastern Part just outside the village), one on the South side on the way to the river. They are the protectors of the Village. Easwaran Koil is located on the bank of Aayakuttai (the Kuttai is big one and so it would have been the tank for Siva temple). It was told that there was a boon to the Village that it won’t be affected by Cholera, Small Pox and Snake Bites and it is true also. On the eastern side of the Main tank we have the Draupati Amman Temple, where traditionally, on annual or biannual basis, there would be speeches/discourses on Mahabharata during day time and there would be drama, popularly known as தெருக்கூத்து during the entire night. That enriches our knowledge on religious affairs, music, dialogue, and a sense of dedication and devotion towards the Deities. Artists from nearby village Neduparai used to be engaged for staging such unique dramas.
History of the Temple
Our Sree Ethirajavalli naayikaa Sametha Aadhikesava Perumal koil is an ancient one with a history of more than 1500 years. The village has been referred in the Thirvoththur Siva Temple (near Thiruvathipuram on the bank of Cheyyar River, praised by Thirugnanasambandar and also famous for the male Palmyra tree changed as female tree by Thirugnanasambandar). Our village was referred as Kaazhimaanagar. The village was the headquarters of one of the 24 Mandals (Taluks) of the Thondai mandalam in which the said Thirvoththur and Thiruvaththipuram (now Cheyyar) fell. Other nearby mandal headquarters were Anakkavoor, Mamandoor, and Uthirameroor. The source of this historical information is from the book titled “Paalaatru Valangal”.
Our Sree Ethirajavalli naayikaa Sametha Aadhikesava Perumal koil is an ancient one with a history of more than 1500 years. The village has been referred in the Thirvoththur Siva Temple (near Thiruvathipuram on the bank of Cheyyar River, praised by Thirugnanasambandar and also famous for the male Palmyra tree changed as female tree by Thirugnanasambandar). Our village was referred as Kaazhimaanagar. The village was the headquarters of one of the 24 Mandals (Taluks) of the Thondai mandalam in which the said Thirvoththur and Thiruvaththipuram (now Cheyyar) fell. Other nearby mandal headquarters were Anakkavoor, Mamandoor, and Uthirameroor. The source of this historical information is from the book titled “Paalaatru Valangal”.
The said Thondai mandalam was in existence before the advent of Pallavas. We can see the symbol of the Old Pallavas (before Narasimha Varma Pallavan) consisting of pig and arrow on the Northern Prakara wall of the koil. Later Pallavas Symbol (consisting of Bull) was also inscribed just opposite the garuda sannadhi (on the Northern side) that has been fully covered to increase the height of that place. Hence, it can be presumed that the temple was in existence 1500 years back. (See a note comparing Architecture of our Temple and Sri Vaikunthanathar Temple of Kanchipuram)
Sree Vaishnavaas of Kazhiyur
It appears that there was no inhabitant of Sree Vaishnavaas except one family. That family was looking after the temple. Then came the Mannaars from Mannargudi. Two families of brothers came and settled in the village around 600 years back. The sequence of settlement of the Sree Vaishnaavas in the village can be easily understood by referring their houses and how they constructed their settlements. Mannaars constructed their houses near the temple on both sides of the Agraharam and also on the North and south side of the temple. After that, Vadagalaiyaars came to the village and settled there. After they settled, came the Vinjamoors, followed by Kidambis. Then Thirumalai Thattaiyar came and settled.
The houses were in the following order from the temple: Mannars, Vadagalaiyars, Vinjamoorars, Kidambis and Thattaiyars. The Agaraharaam was full of Sree Vaishnavaas having knowledge of divya Prabhandams and Vedams. They used to go to Kancheepuram, Bombay, Pushkar, etc for Sevaa kaalams and other temple kainkaryams. Like many villages of Tamil Nadu, the younger generation slowly migrated from the village to nearby towns, cities, and many to outside the country. Still, all Sree Vaishnavas of the Kazhiyur visit the village and temple regularly. Mannars are the Sishyaas of Kovil Kandadai Mudaliandan Swamis, descendants of Mudaliandan Swamy who is the main disciple of Udayavar (referred as the Dhandam of Undyavar). So, the Aacharyan used to visit the Village and camp for some days every year. This was continued till the early 1960s. The Village was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to welcome other Jeeyars.
About the Temple
The Temple has been erected in an area of 150 ft by 150 ft with four walls and a beautiful main temple tower facing east. Inside the temple, we have Bali Peetham, Garudar Sannithi, and the main Sanctum Sanctorum. The main Deity is Adhikesavar and Utsavar is known as Varadaraja Perumal. The temple is adorned by the Murthis of Lakshmi Narayana, Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Udayavar Manavala Mamunigal, and Utsava Murthis of Andal, Chakkaraththazhwar, and there is a Tiruvilakku Nachiar as well in the shrine. Lord Ranganatha has been engraved on the northern wall of the temple. On the North Eastern corner, Thiruvadi Koil is situated. On the rear side of the temple, there is a Nandavanam. Earlier, Thayar used to visit the same at regular intervals.
Temple Management
The koil management and archagas are looked after by the Trust Board with the help of the yield from the lands of the Temple which is approximately 7.5 acres, situated at different parts of the village. For expenses to meet the special functions like Chittirai Revati, the Thennacharya Sampradaya sabha assists the Trustees. The Sabha has been created for charitable purpose and a trace of charity can be seen in every activity of the Sabha. The archakas of the temple served except in recent times, all being from the Agraharam itself at different periods are as follows during the last 70 years: U.Ve Kuppan Iyengar, U.Ve Srinivasacharyar (famous as Pettai Seemachu), U.Ve Venkatachar (father of Kaliyur Chakravarthi Iyengar), U.Ve Vinjamoor Duraisamy Iyengar, U.Ve Gopalachariyar, U.Ve Vinjamoor Srinivasachariyar (Retired School teacher), U.Ve. Ananthachary of Venkatavaram Swamy, U.Ve. Thirumazhisai Swamy (father-in-law of K.V. Rangan of Hyderabad), U.Ve Raghavachariar (retired Treasury cashier), U.Ve Ramanujachariyar @ Ramu (son of Kaliyur Rangasamy Iyengar settled in Sriperumbudur) and lastly U.Ve Kothandan. Koil management was mostly by U.Ve Sadagopachar and thereafter by U.Ve Bashyam Iyengar family and U.Ve Padmanaban (son of Sri. Sadagopachar), Thandarai Suresh and presently (2021 onwards) U.Ve. Gopalachariar of Karur.
Uthsavams
The Koil used to celebrate many Uthsvams with Veedhi purappaadu. Main Uthsvams are Navarathri, Dasara, Thiru Aaadippooram, Bogi, Sankaranthi and Paar Vettai on Kanuvu day (in the conflex of both lakes where even now we can see River sand in a piece of land). Horse riding was used for Paar Vettai. Slowly the uthsavams were reduced and the navarathri was restricted within the temple and later even that was stopped. However, Nithyappadi kainkaryam continued regularly. On the Janma Nakshathram days of Azhwars, Udayavar and Manavala Mamunigal, divyaprabhndams of the concerned Azhwar, Ramanauja Nootrnthaathi, Upadesa Rathnamaalai were chanted. Dhanur Masam was as usual special. On Thirkkarthigai day Ghee deepam was lit on the Dwajasthambam and farmers used to take one pandham from the ghee pandham to keep in their field so that the yield would be good. First Theertham was to the eldest Thennacharya Sri Vaishnava present in the koil at that time.
Last Samprokhnam
With the idea of Sadagopachar, Bashyam Iyengar (Post Master), Chakravarthi Iyengar and active participation & donation by many others, Samprokshnama was conducted in a grand manner during Chithrai Revati day in the year 1973. Chiththirai Revathi takes an important day for gathering all persons of Kazhiyur origin both paternal & maternal.
Lord Ranganathar’s visit to Kazhiyur
When Muslims attacked Srirangam (1st attack before the avatharam of Vethantha Desigar), Lord Ranganathar was taken away from Srirangam and He was in our Koil for some days before proceeding to Chenchi (now Ginjee). In remembrance of that, the Sri Ranganathar with Adhisesha has been engraved on the wall of the inner praharam. This happened about 800 years back. Another version of the incident is Lord Ranganathar was brought to our temple while returning from Tirumala in the year 1371 AD and stayed for a day in the month of Chitrai Revathi. See the note written by Sri U Ve. Ranganathan of Madurai.
Kazhiyur has been very closely linked to Kanchipuram from its very inception. Every year during January, July, and December, the utsavar (processional deity) of Lord Adi Keshava Perumal is taken in a procession to the Iyengar Kulam, a lake on the outskirts of Kanchipuram. About forty people start the procession and many more join them en-route to Kanchipuram. The procession travels on foot for the entire stretch of 18 km. After arriving at Iyengar Kulam, the Lord is given a ceremonial bath in the kulam and then taken back to Kazhiyur with pomp and show.