Who is Gounders known as, known as Kongu Vellalars.

Gounders also known as Kongu
Vaellalars are Kshatriyas originally
of Chola country who migrated in
ancient times and formedKongu
Nadu. The Gounders are noble,
feudal and land owning caste of
Tamilnadu right from the Sangam
age.
Gounder was a hereditary title of
the Village Headman in the system of
decentralised panchayat
administration in the South India. The
Gounder title is not a caste title but
only a feudal title. The root word is
Kavunda which becameKavundan .
This system gained greater
prominence and wider political
ascendancy during the King Durvinita
of the Ganga dynasty. The posts of
the Village Headmen is hereditary
and were usually accorded on the
Kshatriya warrior clans of the Kongu
Nadu and hence accustomed to the
rulingGangakulam (ref: Kongudesa
Rajakkal).
The name Gounder is not a caste
name but an honorary title derived
from the Sangam Tamil word
Kamindan (root word being
"Kavunda") which means "noble
protector of his people" in Sangam
Tamil and was originally accorded to
the "Feudal Chieftains" of the Kongu
Nadu who have distinguished
themselves bravely and fiercely in
protecting the honour of the Kongu
and its people
The ancient recorded history of
Kongu Nadu and Tamilakam tell us
that the great Chola warriors
expanded into then heavily forested
Kongu territory and took up
agriculture and made the lands
cultivable. They are traditionally
considered to be Tamil speakers of
the Kongu Nadu, an ancient division
of Tamilakam that includes parts of
northwest Tamil Nadu, portions of
neighbouring Kerala and the
southern Mysore region of
Karnataka. They are one of the
Prominent castes of Tamil
Community who have their roots to
the Sangam Tamil Culture and their
elaborate marriage festivities are
mentioned about in beautiful chaste
Tamil byKavirayar Kambar in his
famous Kongu Mangala Vazhthu
songs. The famous epic of Ponnar
Shankar which was also written by
Kalaignar Karunanidhi illustrates
them very clearly.
One can even now see the sanctity
attached to cattle breeding by the
Kongu Vellalar even to-day when
they call their chief festival Pongal as
Patti Nombi. The Vokkaliga Gowdas
of Karnataka and the Kongu
Vaellala of Tamil Nadu are one of
the most well organised social group
in the Southern India but with Kongu
Vellalars showing even more
intricately arranged socio-cultural
hierarchy than their long separated
ethnic cousins Vokkaliga Gowdas
owing to their long recorded history
of martial Kshatriya status before
turning Vellalars.

List of Kongu VellalarKootams

Kongu Vellala Gounder an ancient
division of Tamilakam comprising
Coimbatore, Erode, Salem and
ancient Mysore region.
People belonging to the same
Kulam/Kootam usually will not
intermarry. They are considered as
brothers and sisters. Each Kulam/
Kootam has its ownKulaguru and
Kuladeivam or Ishta deivam. In
temples, it is a common practice to
pray their divine idols which is
specific to a Koottam/Kulam.
Aandai (ஆந்தை) --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Arulmigu Annamarswamy(near
manikkampalayam Namakkal ),Pon
Azhagu Naachi Amman, Valli
Arachal, Muthur, Arulmigu
Koothampoondi Annamarswamy
Thirukovil(near
Manickampalayam), Sri Veera
Kumaraswamy (வீரக்குமாரசாமி),
Vellakovil, Sri Periyanayagi
Amman, Palangarai, Tirupur & Sri
Sellandiyamman, Elur Akaram (near
Puduchatram, Namakkal))
Aadai --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri Kariya
Kaliamman, Parenchervazhi,
Kangeyam)
Aadhi --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Selvanayaki Amman, Keeranur,
Kangeyam)
Adhitreya Kumban
Aavan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kariya Kaliamman, Parenchervazhi,
Kangeyam)
Adhirai
Akini
Aavan
Anangan
Andhuvan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Selvanayaki Amman, Keeranur,
Kangeyam, Sri Sellandiamman,
Kadambankruchi, near Cauvery River)
Ariyan
Alagan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Sellaandi Amman (Sri Selvanayaki
Amman),Podanur-Chettipalayam,
near Coimbatore)
Bharatan
Bramman
Chellam
Cheran --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Selvakumaraswamy & Kuppanna
swamy, Muthur & Thangamman,
Kodumanal, Kangeyam)
Devendran --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Goundichiamman - Araneer
Sullipalayam, Ponkaliamman -
Perunkurichy of Paramathi Velur,
Namakkal,Sri Selvanayaki Amman,
Keeranur, Kangeyam)
Dananjayan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Veerakumaraswamy, Vellakovil)
Danavantan
Dhanancheyan [Kurukathi]
Dhanancheyan [Ilupaikinaru]
Eenjan
Elumathur Kadais [Aka
panangadan]
Ennai
Indran
Kaadan
Kadai --> (குலதெய்வம்: Konnayar -
Selliyamman KoilMalayai Maruthai,
Muthusamy Kovil ,Palamalai, Karur,
Sri Selvanayaki amman - Keeranur,
Thanga Nayagi amman - Arasur, Sri
Angala Parameswari Amman-
Avalpoondurai , Padai vetti
Amman- Pillur )
Kaari --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri Kariya
Kaliamman, Anangur, Sankari &
Ponkaaliamman, Unjanai,
Trichengode)
Kaavalar
Kadunthuvi
Kalinji
Kambakulathaan
Kanakkan
Kanavaalan
Kannan (கன்னங்குலம்) -->
(குலதெய்வம்: "Sri Nallapulli
Amman",Morpalayam,Tiruchengode.
Sri Apathal swamy-Nasiyanur,Sri
Ponkaliamman - Irayamangalam,
Tiruchengode, Kulavilakamman
(குலவிளக்கம்மன்) - Kalamangalam &
Annamaar Kovil, Maniyanoor,
Paramathi Velur,
Namakkal,குலதெய்வம்: Sri Kariya
Kaliamman
Kannandhai --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Manalur Sivaselvanayakiamman
(Sellandiyamman)(Kannivadi),
Madukkarai Sellandiamman
(Mayanur) Pappini, Aariyur
Muthusamy, Sri Navaladiyan -
Mohanur, Sellandiyamman -
Ooduvandhur.)
Karunkannan
Kauri
Kavalan
Kiliyan
Keeran --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Selvanayaki Amman, Keeranur)
Kodarangi
Koorai --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Ponkaliamman, Sivagiri, Erode)
Kuruppan
Kotrandhai
Kottaarar
Kovar
Koventhar--> (குலதெய்வம்: Thai
Nalli Amman, Choleeswarar, near
to government school,
Gudimangalam, Dharapuram T.K,
Tripur Dt )
Kumarandhai
Kundali
Kungili
Kuniyan
Kunnukkan
Kuyilan
Kuzhlaayan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kariakali Amman(கரியகாளி அம்மன்),
Kothanoor, Dharapuram)
Maadai
Maadhaman
Maathuli
Maavalar
Maniyan (மணியங்குலம்) -->
(குலதெய்வம்: Mohanur Navaladi
Periyasamy, Sri
Selvakumaraswamy & Kuppanna
swamy, Muthur)
Maruthurai Kadais
Mayilan
Mazhluazhlagar
Medhi
Meenavan
Moimban
Moolan
Mooriyan
Mukkannan
Munaiveeran
Muthan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Selvakumaraswamy & Kuppanna
swamy, Muthur)
Muzhlukkadhan --> (குலதெய்வம் -
Sri Vellai Amman /
Kadayeeswarar - Kaadayur -
Kangeyam)
Naarai
Nandhan
Neelan
Nettai maniyan
Neerunni
Neidhali
Neriyan
Odhaalar --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kariya Kaliamman - Parenchervazhi
- Kangeyam,Sri Kandiamman/
Kandeeshwarar - Kandiankovil,)
Ozhukkar
Paaliyan
Paamban
Paanan
Pandian --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Kodumanal Sri Thangamman
Thirukovil, Kodumanal, Tirupur)
Paadhari
Padhuman
Padukkunni
Paidhali
Panaiyan
Panangadan
Panjaman
Pannai --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Sadayappa Swami,
Thandampalayam; Sendraya Perumal
Kovil, Rakkipatti, Salem)
Pannan
Paamaran
Pavalan
Payiran --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kariya Kaliamman, Parenchervazhi,
Kangeyam)
Periyan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Rathna Moorthy(ரத்தின மூர்த்தி),
Sankaradampalayam, Dharapuram)
Perunkudi --> (குலதெய்வம்: Ellai
Arasu, Pavuliyamman (பவுளியம்மன்),
Vangalamman (வாங்கலம்மன்),
Karichikumaraswamy(Chittode) )
Pillan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Natrayan & Nachimuthu swamy,
Mettupalayam, Kangeyam)
Podiyan
Ponnan --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kandiyamman, Pongalur, Palladam
(TK))
Poochadhai
Poodhiyan
Poosan
Porulthantha --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Malaiappasamy/Malaiamman
facing North,other Gods along with
this arePukkarandi facing West &
Karuppanasamy facing East [in
Thootakurichi(5 km from
Aranattarmalai), Karur],Sri
Selvakumaraswamy & Sri
Murungai Amman & Kuppanna
swamy, Muthur and Kaaliamman,
Unniyur)
Pulathini --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Angala Parameswari Amman,
Kolappalur, Gobichettipalayam)
Punnai
Puthan
Saakadai or Kaadai
Sathandhai
Sathuvaraayan
Sanagan
Sedan
Sellan (செல்லங்குலம்,) -->
(குலதெய்வம்: செல்லியம்மன்,
கொன்னையர், எளச்சிபாளையம்.
(திருச்செங்கோடு - ராசிபுரம்
வழி) andAzhagunachi Amman,
Anjur, near Muthur)
Semponn --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Kariya Kaliamman (கரியகாளி அம்மன்),
Peria Manali, Rasipuram & Sri
Muthusamy, Ramadevam,
Tiruchengode, Ayei Amman,
Nasiyanur, Erode)
Sempoothan --> Ettukai Amman ,
Namakkal district, Keerambur.
Semvan/ semban
Sengannan --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Podari
ayyan,Nathakadyur,Kangeyam,kadampankurichi
sellaandi amman, karur).
Sengunni --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Pudhu Vengaraiamman, Vengarai,
Paramathy, Namakkal)
Seralan
Sevadi
Sevvayan
Silamban
Soman
Soolan
Sooriyan
Sothi
Sowriyan
Sevanthi --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Ponnatchi Amman, Ilupuli)
Surapi
Thanakkavan
Thavalayan
Thazhinji --> (குலதெய்வம்: Sri
Veerakumaraswamy, Vellakoil)
Themaan
Thodai(n)
Thooran
Thorakkan
Thunduman
Uvanan
Uzhavan
Vaanan or Vaani
Vannakkan (குலதெய்வம்: Arul
migu Pon Alagu nachi amman, valli
araichal, Muthur, near kangeyam)
Veliyan --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Kakkaveri Annanmar Swami,
Namakkal)
Vellamban
Vendhai
Vendoven (வெண்டுவங்குலம்) -->
(குலதெய்வம்:Kaali Amman
(kolaram), Arulmigu Kathaanganni
Aayee Amman, oothukulli,
Arungarai Amman - Chinna
Dharapuram)
Viliyan --> (குலதெய்வம்:
Chelliamman, Mallasamduram,
Namakkal)
Villi --> (குலதெய்வம்: Pon Azhagu
Naachi Amman, Valli Arachal,
Muthur)
Vilosanan
Viradhan
Viraivulan

Short story of MaaveranDheeran Chinnamalai

Theerthagiri Gounder comes from
the Royal House of Palayakottai
Pattakarar family of Kangeyam.
Dheeran was born into the "Payiran
Kootam". The Palayakottai Pattakarar
family had the title of "Mandradiar"
and controlled large tracts of land
from their royal palace at
Palayakottai. Dheeran Chinnmalai's
grandfather "Kotravel Sarkarai
Mandradiar" was issueless. He
adopted two sons; the first son,
Senapathy, was groomed by his first
wife and the second, named
Rathnaswamy, was groomed by the
second wife. Both the adopted sons
were educated at the palace as it was
the custom those days for the people
of Royal families. In course of time,
the brothers got married. As per the
tradition, the first son Senapathi took
the titles of "Mandradiar" in the year
1731 and continued to control the
lands from Palayakottai. The second
son Rathnaswamy moved to nearby
village named Melapalayam and
took care of the farming of the lands
that belonged to the Palayakottai
Pattakkarar family.
Rathanaswamy and his wife
Periyathal had six children in all –
five sons and one daughter. The first
son was Kulandaiswamy, the second
was Theerthagiri, the third was
Thambi, fourth was Kirlother and the
fifth was Kuttiswamy. Their only
daughter was named Parvatham.
Theerthagiri Gounder who later
became Maveeran Dheeran
Chinnamalai was born in the English
month of April, 1756.
The eldest son Kulandaiswamy and
the last son Kuttiswamy mainly
attended to farming and took care of
the vast tracts of lands of the family.
However, the three brothers
Theerthagiri, Kilothar and Thambi
soon devoted their attention to the
administration and safety of the
villages they ruled. They always rode
on their horses throughout their
jurisdiction and dispensed impartial
and fair justice to all as Politics and
Justice was the duty of Kshatriyas.
They learnt the native martial arts of
Silambam, archery and others from a
very young age. They formed Kongu
youth organizations for the
betterment and welfare of Kongu
region and its people. They also
trained the Kongu youth in their
native martial arts. They protected
their areas from kallars, thieves and
other evil doers. They conducted
Village Panchayats which were the
popular and speedy form of judicial
systems in those days to resolve
disputes arising out of land and civic
nature between individuals and
families.
In course of time, they got their sister
Parvatham married to Ulagapuram
Muthi Thirumalai Gounder. As they
were rich, they conducted the
marriage lavishly and made their
sister happy by giving generous
marriage presents in the form of
jewellery, ornaments and vessels.

Places in Kongunadu

Kongu Nadu consists of the present-
day places of
Coimbatore
Salem
Erode
Gobichettipalayam
Sathyamangalam
Tiruchengode
Sankari
Karur
Namakkal
Rasipuram
Pollachi
Tiruppur
Udumalpet
Dharapuam
Nilgiris
Dharmapuri
Krishnagiri
Part of Trichy
Part of Dindugal
Mysore( Ancient name-
ERUMAIYUR, mahisham in Sanskrit
means erumai(baffalo) in Tamil,
erumaiyur-mahishamyur-mysore)

Thanks giving!!!

Hope every one must have been inspired by this original story of the d great legendary souls ANNANMAR swamigal alais PONNAR-SANKAR. During dis precious time i would like bow my heartfelt thanks and honour to the author of d blog http://annamarstory.blogspot.com/2010/04/annamar-swami-kathai-pichai-pattan.html, which guided me in the true story of Sellan Kulam pangalis. More of the details can be accessd from d abow mentioned blog.

Ponnar-Sankar history

Ponnar Sankar story starts from their
grandfathers. The chieftain of the Vazhavanthi
country in Chera kingdom (part of Southern
Namakkal district) was Kolaththa Gounder, eldest
among the twelve brothers belong to Perungudi
clan of Konga Karaala Vellalars. He and his wife
Pavalaththal decides to leave their country
because of the injustful brothers. They came to
Mathukkarai Goddess Sellandiyamman temple
and found the three Maharajas, Chera-Chola-
Pandya were sitting infront of the goddess to
mark their tri-nation border. Kolaththa Gounder
solves the dispute and Chola Maharaja gave a
country called Konad to him, for his justice. The
couple went to Konadu and has found the
settlements, Ponds and the agricultural lands out
wastelands and made the country prosperous,
which was later named as Valanad. The 11
brothers from Vazhavanthi country faced severe
drought and have seeked refuge to their eldest
brother in Konad in Chola kingdom. The elder
brother, as a Karaalan gave refuge in the borders
of his country Konad.
The couple were living prosperous but
they didn’t had child and they so both of them
have went to several temple to make pray God to
bless with them children. They were blessed with
a male child after long penance and they named
him as Mannudaiya Gounder (later called as
Kunnudaiya Gr.). He was little bit sluggish boy
and was innocent. The couple died leaving the
five year old child in their old age. After the death
of the couple the 11 brothers were jealous about
their eldest brother’s assets. They have droved
out the innocent child from Valanad and this
young child went to Aathichettipalayam (currently
nearPuliyur, Karur district). He went to a
Chettiyar (Merchant caste) home who was selling
the rice bran. After the arrival of Kunnudaiyan the
Chettiar become prosperous. The Kunnudaiyan’s
father has taken a promise from his brother-in-
law that he should give his daughter
Thamarainachi to marry Kunnudaiyan. But,
Sellaththa Gounder the cousin for Kunnudaiyan
was thinking to marry Thamarai to his Son, as
they have droven out Kunnudaiyan. The Chola
Thotti (a message announcer caste) who worked
under Kolaththa Gounder has searched for
Kunnudaiyan and found him in Chettiar’s house
and has brought him to Thamarainachi’s house
before the marriage day to Maniyankurichi.
Kunnudaiyan asked his aunt and uncle
to give their daughter to marry. But they have
illtreated him and have punished them for a night
in cell with ants and termites. Lord Vishnu saves
him in that night from the ants. Thamarai hearing
the news refused to marry the alliance of
Sellaththa Gounder’s son and wanted marry to
Kunnudaiyan. Finally, she married Kunnudaiyan.
After marriage, Thamarai was ill-treated by her
father and son, for not acting for their wish.
Thamarai made a pledge to her father that she
will give birth to two male children and you will
have two grand daughter and my sons will
marry them and will put them in jail.
The couples came to Valanad and
Kunnudaiyan went to his paternal cousin to ask
for land, but they refused to give them land.
Kunnudaiyan went to Chola Maharaja and have
explained their situation and mentioned his
father’s name. Chola Maharaja gave wastelands to
Kunnudaiyan. With the help of Mayavar (Blue God
Lord Vishnu)Kunnudaiyan have succeeded in his
cultivation and have become prosperous.
Though, the couple doesn’t have progeny. The
couple has done lot of penance and prayers. The
couple’s were asked in the Chidambaram temple
by the god that you want children, who will live
for 16 years, who will achieve allthings or
children, who will live for 100 years and won’t
achieve anything. Thamarai asked for the
previous and she also asked the maternal
blessing for all the people around them and the
animals that she grew. The Lord Shiva blessed all
of them. The Pacha pandavas who came to
heaven after doing the Dharamayuththam in the
end of Dwaparayuga were asked again to go and
born in earth to reestablish the Dharma in
Kaliyuga. With this wish of God, Dharamaraja-
Arjuna-Draupathi has born as Ponnar-Sankar-
Arukkani Thangam, Bheema as Sambuhan to
Chola Thotti and Nagula-Sahadeva as Cousin
brothers to Kunnudaiyan. The jealousy cousins of
Kunnudaiyan’stried to kill the two boys of
Thamarai through Kuppayi in their delivery. But,
with the blessing of Lord Vishnu they escaped the
deathand they emerged through left and right
ribs of Thamarai and were brought up by
Goddess Sellandiyamman for five years. The
couples were left with girl Arukkani alone.
Goddess Sellandi brings back their two
sons, Ponnar-Sankar to Kunnudaiyan. Thamarai
shares all their life hard experiences. Ponnar and
Sankar (Annamar) revenged their cousin fathers
and mothers for punishing their father and
mother. Annamar while playing with the children
of the hunting people (Veduvars) they shows
their bravery and succeeds them several times.
Once, Thamarai have made a pledge to Thalaiyur
Kaali (The Veduva Raja) that she eradicates the
Veduva kula for his misbehavior. So, the bravery
and the doings of Annamar created restlessness
in Thalaiyur (West of Konad). Suddenly, the
parents die and Ponnar-Sankar rule Valanad
under the gods grace. They show their bravery
to the Chola Maharaja, who seeks their help for
protecting the borders of kingdom. Meanwhile
the Thalaiyur Kaaliraja plunders Valanad and
Annamar defeats them with their bravery.
Annamar marries Muththayi and Pavalayi and
jails them as per the wish of their parents.
Samabuhan and Cousin sons and all
the incarnation join together in Valanad. The
Thalaiyur Kaaliraja plans to kill Ponnar and Sankar.
Heuses the Thattan (Carpenter), who goes to
Valanad and criticizes Ponnar for taking his
Golden bowl and returning the wooden one.
Ponnar promises that to prove his truthfulness he
will do anythingthat Thattan asks to do. Thattans
plans to kill him in the pond and he asks Ponnar
to enter inside the inlet of the pond and come out
through outlet of the pond. Thattans tries to put
stone on his head, while Ponnar comes outside.
But, Ponnar escapes his plans and Thattans was
cursed by his own mother that his entire lineage
will born handicapped.
After that incident, the Veduva Kaaliraja
directly attacks Valanad and Ponnar-Sankar-
Sambuhan-Cousin sons started their war against
the Veduva army at Veerappur. Finally both of
them started destroying all Veduvas as per their
mother’s pledge. But, Mayavar (Lord Vishnu) sees
this and gives lives to Veduvas one side.Mayavar
finally, let an arrow on Sankar and Sankar
considered this arrow as disregard for his
bravery and a palm leaf comes to him that he
should turn back to heaven. So, Sankar leaves his
life. Following the Sambuhana nd cousin sons die
in another side. Ponnar also does a promise that
they won’t uproot the Veduvar kula and diesoff.
The Thalaiyur Kaaliraja attacks the
Valanad fort and Arukkani thangam knows these
happening to her brother through her virtues and
she burns the Valanad fort along with her
brother’s wives, to save their purity. Finally, she
searches for Annamar and reaches the
Padukalam (War-zone) and she screams out
there. Her screaming disturbs Goddess
Periyakandi, who is doing penance for yugas
together waiting for arrival of Ponnar-Sankar and
to see their bravery to protect Dharma. Goddess
sent different animals to kill Arukkani, who
disturbed her penance. Finally, she came down
and has seen the war-zone and asks Arukkani
about the happening. She explains her history
and Periyakandi realizes everything and asks
Arukkani to do a homa and sprinkle holy water
on the dead people. Arukkani performs homa
herself and sprinkles holy water and all the dead
people have raised up. Lord Vishnu comes in to
the picture and tells Arukkani that if the dead
people rose the earth can’t bear the load. Then all
the people die. The incarnations of
Panchapandavas go to heaven again and
Goddess Periyakandi also attains the Kailash as
her penance came to end.
From then Ponnar sankar comes to
earth every year to get their Pooja from the
people at Veerappur temple. This pooja is
performed every year and the same Padukalam
was performed by the people with very
conscious way. This attracts atleast one million
people in a week during the time of
Mahasivarathri every year. The Annamr story
was played through western Tamil nadu in
several places and the worship was done with
care for many centuries

Ponnar-Sankar history

Ponnar Sankar story starts from their
grandfathers. The chieftain of the Vazhavanthi
country in Chera kingdom (part of Southern
Namakkal district) was Kolaththa Gounder, eldest
among the twelve brothers belong to Perungudi
clan of Konga Karaala Vellalars. He and his wife
Pavalaththal decides to leave their country
because of the injustful brothers. They came to
Mathukkarai Goddess Sellandiyamman temple
and found the three Maharajas, Chera-Chola-
Pandya were sitting infront of the goddess to
mark their tri-nation border. Kolaththa Gounder
solves the dispute and Chola Maharaja gave a
country called Konad to him, for his justice. The
couple went to Konadu and has found the
settlements, Ponds and the agricultural lands out
wastelands and made the country prosperous,
which was later named as Valanad. The 11
brothers from Vazhavanthi country faced severe
drought and have seeked refuge to their eldest
brother in Konad in Chola kingdom. The elder
brother, as a Karaalan gave refuge in the borders
of his country Konad.
The couple were living prosperous but
they didn’t had child and they so both of them
have went to several temple to make pray God to
bless with them children. They were blessed with
a male child after long penance and they named
him as Mannudaiya Gounder (later called as
Kunnudaiya Gr.). He was little bit sluggish boy
and was innocent. The couple died leaving the
five year old child in their old age. After the death
of the couple the 11 brothers were jealous about
their eldest brother’s assets. They have droved
out the innocent child from Valanad and this
young child went to Aathichettipalayam (currently
nearPuliyur, Karur district). He went to a
Chettiyar (Merchant caste) home who was selling
the rice bran. After the arrival of Kunnudaiyan the
Chettiar become prosperous. The Kunnudaiyan’s
father has taken a promise from his brother-in-
law that he should give his daughter
Thamarainachi to marry Kunnudaiyan. But,
Sellaththa Gounder the cousin for Kunnudaiyan
was thinking to marry Thamarai to his Son, as
they have droven out Kunnudaiyan. The Chola
Thotti (a message announcer caste) who worked
under Kolaththa Gounder has searched for
Kunnudaiyan and found him in Chettiar’s house
and has brought him to Thamarainachi’s house
before the marriage day to Maniyankurichi.
Kunnudaiyan asked his aunt and uncle
to give their daughter to marry. But they have
illtreated him and have punished them for a night
in cell with ants and termites. Lord Vishnu saves
him in that night from the ants. Thamarai hearing
the news refused to marry the alliance of
Sellaththa Gounder’s son and wanted marry to
Kunnudaiyan. Finally, she married Kunnudaiyan.
After marriage, Thamarai was ill-treated by her
father and son, for not acting for their wish.
Thamarai made a pledge to her father that she
will give birth to two male children and you will
have two grand daughter and my sons will
marry them and will put them in jail.
The couples came to Valanad and
Kunnudaiyan went to his paternal cousin to ask
for land, but they refused to give them land.
Kunnudaiyan went to Chola Maharaja and have
explained their situation and mentioned his
father’s name. Chola Maharaja gave wastelands to
Kunnudaiyan. With the help of Mayavar (Blue God
Lord Vishnu)Kunnudaiyan have succeeded in his
cultivation and have become prosperous.
Though, the couple doesn’t have progeny. The
couple has done lot of penance and prayers. The
couple’s were asked in the Chidambaram temple
by the god that you want children, who will live
for 16 years, who will achieve allthings or
children, who will live for 100 years and won’t
achieve anything. Thamarai asked for the
previous and she also asked the maternal
blessing for all the people around them and the
animals that she grew. The Lord Shiva blessed all
of them. The Pacha pandavas who came to
heaven after doing the Dharamayuththam in the
end of Dwaparayuga were asked again to go and
born in earth to reestablish the Dharma in
Kaliyuga. With this wish of God, Dharamaraja-
Arjuna-Draupathi has born as Ponnar-Sankar-
Arukkani Thangam, Bheema as Sambuhan to
Chola Thotti and Nagula-Sahadeva as Cousin
brothers to Kunnudaiyan. The jealousy cousins of
Kunnudaiyan’stried to kill the two boys of
Thamarai through Kuppayi in their delivery. But,
with the blessing of Lord Vishnu they escaped the
deathand they emerged through left and right
ribs of Thamarai and were brought up by
Goddess Sellandiyamman for five years. The
couples were left with girl Arukkani alone.
Goddess Sellandi brings back their two
sons, Ponnar-Sankar to Kunnudaiyan. Thamarai
shares all their life hard experiences. Ponnar and
Sankar (Annamar) revenged their cousin fathers
and mothers for punishing their father and
mother. Annamar while playing with the children
of the hunting people (Veduvars) they shows
their bravery and succeeds them several times.
Once, Thamarai have made a pledge to Thalaiyur
Kaali (The Veduva Raja) that she eradicates the
Veduva kula for his misbehavior. So, the bravery
and the doings of Annamar created restlessness
in Thalaiyur (West of Konad). Suddenly, the
parents die and Ponnar-Sankar rule Valanad
under the gods grace. They show their bravery
to the Chola Maharaja, who seeks their help for
protecting the borders of kingdom. Meanwhile
the Thalaiyur Kaaliraja plunders Valanad and
Annamar defeats them with their bravery.
Annamar marries Muththayi and Pavalayi and
jails them as per the wish of their parents.
Samabuhan and Cousin sons and all
the incarnation join together in Valanad. The
Thalaiyur Kaaliraja plans to kill Ponnar and Sankar.
Heuses the Thattan (Carpenter), who goes to
Valanad and criticizes Ponnar for taking his
Golden bowl and returning the wooden one.
Ponnar promises that to prove his truthfulness he
will do anythingthat Thattan asks to do. Thattans
plans to kill him in the pond and he asks Ponnar
to enter inside the inlet of the pond and come out
through outlet of the pond. Thattans tries to put
stone on his head, while Ponnar comes outside.
But, Ponnar escapes his plans and Thattans was
cursed by his own mother that his entire lineage
will born handicapped.
After that incident, the Veduva Kaaliraja
directly attacks Valanad and Ponnar-Sankar-
Sambuhan-Cousin sons started their war against
the Veduva army at Veerappur. Finally both of
them started destroying all Veduvas as per their
mother’s pledge. But, Mayavar (Lord Vishnu) sees
this and gives lives to Veduvas one side.Mayavar
finally, let an arrow on Sankar and Sankar
considered this arrow as disregard for his
bravery and a palm leaf comes to him that he
should turn back to heaven. So, Sankar leaves his
life. Following the Sambuhana nd cousin sons die
in another side. Ponnar also does a promise that
they won’t uproot the Veduvar kula and diesoff.
The Thalaiyur Kaaliraja attacks the
Valanad fort and Arukkani thangam knows these
happening to her brother through her virtues and
she burns the Valanad fort along with her
brother’s wives, to save their purity. Finally, she
searches for Annamar and reaches the
Padukalam (War-zone) and she screams out
there. Her screaming disturbs Goddess
Periyakandi, who is doing penance for yugas
together waiting for arrival of Ponnar-Sankar and
to see their bravery to protect Dharma. Goddess
sent different animals to kill Arukkani, who
disturbed her penance. Finally, she came down
and has seen the war-zone and asks Arukkani
about the happening. She explains her history
and Periyakandi realizes everything and asks
Arukkani to do a homa and sprinkle holy water
on the dead people. Arukkani performs homa
herself and sprinkles holy water and all the dead
people have raised up. Lord Vishnu comes in to
the picture and tells Arukkani that if the dead
people rose the earth can’t bear the load. Then all
the people die. The incarnations of
Panchapandavas go to heaven again and
Goddess Periyakandi also attains the Kailash as
her penance came to end.
From then Ponnar sankar comes to
earth every year to get their Pooja from the
people at Veerappur temple. This pooja is
performed every year and the same Padukalam
was performed by the people with very
conscious way. This attracts atleast one million
people in a week during the time of
Mahasivarathri every year. The Annamr story
was played through western Tamil nadu in
several places and the worship was done with
care for many centuries

Ponnar-Sankar life history(real one)

Summary of the story:
In India, the local faiths and deities
remains local and it never gets exposed even to
the adjacent villages or frontiers. Such a one is
the history of Ponnar-Sankar. The
Panchapandavas of Mahabharatha have
reincarnated in Kaliyuga to destroy the remnant
evils forces and also to bring the penance of
Goddess Periyakandi (incarnation of Goddess
Parvathi) to an end. The Ponnar-Sankar were
incarnations of Dharmaraja-Arjun and other three
with Draupathi have also incarnated as their
relatives. The history of Ponnar sankar was
embedded in the lives of atleast 15 million people
in Central and Western Tamil nadu. Even today at
the time of Mahasivarathiri the story of Ponnar-
Sankar (Annamar, i.e. brothers) was played in
different places for a day to 50 days. Especially at
Veerappur, were the real history occurred, more
than half a million people gather in single day.
Many people in western Tamil nadu have the
names as “Periyasamy” and “Chinnasamy”,
reminding he Annamars (elder and younger
brothers) and also as “Ponnusamy” and “Sankar”.
Whilespeaking about “Ponnar-sankar”, it is
inevitable to avoid the legend of Goddess
Perikandiyamman and Goddess Mathukkarai
Sellandiyamman (form of Ujjaini Mahakaali), as
they were successive happenings. This attempt
was made to summarize the whole history to the
best possible extent based on the “Pichapattar”
palm leaf manuscript written before 600 years,
which was book printed by Mr.Sakthikanal in
1980s.