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Thamizh Thai Temple
 Karaikudi,
in Chettinad, is closely connected to Tamil as this is the venue of a
festival conducted for the great Tamil poet Kamban. Every year during
the month of March (Panguni), the Kamban Vizha is celebrated for four
days and there is no orator or Tamil pundit who has not participated in
this popular festival. The idea to worship the language as God and to
build a Temple for it, was born in the mind of Kamban Adipodi S.Ganesan,
who had established the Kamban Kazhagam in Karaikudi. The result is the
Thamizh Thai temple in Karaikudi, which stands tall and regal.
This temple lies south
of Kamban Mani Mandapa Valagam, near Karaikudi Periyar statue in
Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu. Alagappa University, founded by the
benevolent Azhagappar, lies one km east of this temple.
As this place was found
abundant with Karai (a spiny plant) plants, it came to be known as
Karaikudi.
To build a temple for
Thamizh Thai was a long-term dream for S.Ganesan. His dream came true
when M Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister, laid the foundation stone
on 23.04.1975. A sum of Rs. five lakh was sanctioned as a grant by the
State Government. A shape and form was given to the Thamizh Thai by
Ganesan, and Ganapathy Sthapathy, the former Principal of Mamallapuram
College of Architecture. The final stage was completed due to the
efforts of P.Chidambaram, the then Union Minister, on whose
recommendation the State Government alloted another sum of Rs five lakh.
On 16.4.1993, the temple was opened by Karunanidhi.
The temple is found on
the right side of the Kamban Mani Mandapam. Built on a piece of land in
the shape of a triangle, this temple has sepatate turrets for the
saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, Ilango Adigal and Kambar. The Dwarabaligas at
the entrance of the temple are Olithai and Varithai. On the right side
of the sanctum santorum of Thmaizh Thai, sage Agasthya can be seen in a
standing posture and like wise Tholkappiyar can be seen on the left
side.
Inside the sanctum
sanctorum, Thamizh Thai, with four hands, is seated on a Lotus. She is
seen holding a flame ( lamp ) on her front right hand, a Veena on her
front left hand, an Udhiratcha Maalai on her lower right hand and a Book
(palm leaf) on her lower left hand. To show that the Chera, Chola and
Pandya kings encouraged the growth of Tamil language, their symbols Bow, Tiger and Fish are sculpted on the ornamental arch over the head
of the idol. Silambu and Thandai adorn her feet.
Methods and rules of
worshipping
Flowers, Garlands and
Narumbugai are offered on a large plate (Thambalam), and on the first
day of every month, Butter is smeared on the idol and it is given a holy
bath.
To give this holy bath,
Dhonnai (a cup made of plantain leaf) alone is used. Use of metals, wood
or mud for this is forbidden. The rule is relaxed during Thirukuda
Neerattu Vizha.
Dress, jewels and
garlands should not be given for adornment.
Mangoes, banana, jack
fruit, tender coconut water, coconut, honey, milk and sugar are offered
for worship.
After the worship, the
coconut, fruits,and the flowers kept on the plate are first offered to
the eldest person present there, and then sandal paste, flowers and
sugar are given as Prasadham.
For the holy bath, oil,
milk, curds, tender coconut water, fruit juices, aromatic water, ganga,
mandhi kalayaneer and rose water are used.
To turn the Kalayaneer
into Holy water, Thamizh Pasurangal should be chanted and flowers and
leaves are then strewn.
Songs written on
Thamizh Thai by poets were compiled in a book called 'Thamizh Thai
Prabandham' and this was released on the day when the temple was opened.
These songs are rendered by the Odhuvars daily during the worship.
This unusual temple is
being taken care of by Kamban Aranilai under the leadership of Venkaa.
It adds greatness to Tamil language and Tamil Nadu.
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