Sivagangai - Tourist Information

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Sivagangai - Tourist Information

Chettinad

At Kanadukathan, you see the Raja of Chettinad's palace and the museum next door. Don't miss the railway station, with the Raja's special waiting room. Built in the architectural style of Thirumalai Nayaks period and infused with Rajputana arts, which the remains are mute witness to, the palace is said to have been ignored during the period of Rajah Doraisingh Thevar (1898-1941). Citing bad luck as the reason, he abandoned this palace to occupy another palace called European Bungalow on the Madurai Road. This led to the neglect of the palace and its plundering, mainly by the British. The worst damage is said to have been done during the period of late Vijayaraja Karthik, who sold most of the properties, antiques and wooden carving. Even the window frames, teak beams supporting the ceiling and other antiques were plundered. The European Bungalow on the Madurai Road was also plundered. Now the land along with the remains of the palace has been sold to a local contractor.

At the Gowri Vilasam, the only portion intact is the temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwari, the family deity of the royalty. The temple is open for the public in the evenings and on auspicious days. Otherwise, public are not allowed within the palace limits. During such a visit, this correspondent was witness to the past grandeur being destructed mercilessly. South of the temple is a huge hall supported with numerous pillars. All the functions of the royal household are said to have taken place there. But now the hall remains locked. In the front façade of the palace lies a palanquin in a dilapidated condition.

Another interesting feature in the palace is a miniature swimming pool called Nadai Kinaru. The tank is said to have direct connections to provide it with fresh water and provisions to fill two huge tanks beside the tank. This was meant mainly for the women of the royal family. In front of it is an architectural splendour, in a shambles. Paintings on the dome and sides in natural colours are still intact. But signatures by visitors on the walls and the murals have ruined them. According to a researcher, there was a gold-plated Kalasam on the top of the dome in a construction in the north-western side of the palace, with a sentry yard on the top of it to guard the citadel. There was also a record office opposite to the temple which was later converted into an armory. All these are in a dilapidated condition and look like they might give way any moment.

He further added that the notable feature of the palace was its black marbles. Behind the palace was a small hall supported by black marbles and within it was a seat carved out of the same stone in which coronations of kings took place. Besides this, the palace had many secret passages which have all been closed. Luckily, a few antiquities recovered from here, like Vallari Kombu (a boomerang type made out of wood) are on display at the Rameshwaram Museum. The palace is presently in custody of Mrs. Rajalakshmi Raguraj who is settled in Bangalore.

Chettinad House

The Chettinad houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets,with the front door opening into the first street and the back into the second. Looking in from the main threshold, your eye travels in a straight line across a series of inner counrtyards,each a diminishing rectangle of light, leading out to the back door.

Chettinad Museum

At Chettinad, don't miss the house- converted to museum next door to the Raja's palace. Among the Kitchen tools the best is the travelling kit. No self-repecting Chettiar would eat out, so this elaborate basket housed everything from masala dabbas and choppers to rice bins and ladle sets. Then there's traditional jewellery and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain bins...everyday items that trace the chettiar's way of life. The labelling isn't too good and a guide comes in handy. So far, entrance is free.

Athangudi

Home of the famous Athangudi tiles. Visit a factory and see how these famous handmade terracotta tiles are patterned and sun-dried. They say it's the local sand that's the secret behind the texure.

Devakottai

Famous both for the Devakottai chicken and as the region's second largest town. Its streets are lined with old Chettinad mansions, the most famous being Periya Minor's Veedu, complete with Spanish tiled roof, Italian floor tiles and carved teak pillars.

Kamban Mani Mandabam

It was believed that the Great Tamil Poet Kavi Chakravarthy Kamban spent most of his lifetime with Nagarathars and also he died over here at Nattarasankottai. To honour him Kamban Mani Mandapam was built by Nagarathars and programmes about Tamil literature are conducted annually.

Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam

Located opposite to the New Bus-Stand of Karaikudi is the Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam in the honour of late poet-laureate Kannadhasan. It has two entrances and in between the two is the statue of Kaviarsar Kannadhasan. It has a library, Art Gallery and Photo Exhibition.

Sivagangai - Tourist Information

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