Chettinad is a area primarily within the historical Sivaganga district ruled by the Kingdom of Ramnad, Pandya Nadu and extends into the Chola Nadu District of Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu.
Chettinad is rich in cultural, architectural and artistic heritage, famous for its homes enriched with marble, teak from Burma, large courtyards, spacious rooms and mansions from the 18th century.
Chettinad is home to the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and corporate community and the feudal community of high-level, non-Brahmin Vallambar with an aristocrat rank, Nattar-Ambalam.
Of the original 96 villages, only 74 remained organized in the Tamil Nadu State districts in clusters spanning 1,550 squarekm of territory. It was nominated by UNESCO for historically and culturally important palatial sites.
The area of Chettinad is known for its mansions from the 19th century, whose large courtyards and spacious rooms are decorated with marble and teak. The most important imports from East Asian countries and Europe were constructive appliances, decorative objects, and furnishings. Marble was brought from Italy, candlesticks and Burmese teak, Indonesian coffee making equipment, European crystal and Belgian wall-to-wall mirrors.
The Chettinadu Mansion in Kanadukathan and Chellappa Chettiar 's House in Kottaiyur are some of its most famous. Athangudi's Periya Veedu is incredibly beautiful and well kept. From the Spanish tiles on the roof to Teak pillars in Burma and Italian stained glass windows, every surface of this mansion gleams. This house is much cooler and more hospitable than the residence hotels.
Also known for their huge mansions are the towns of Pallathur, Devakottai and Kothamangalam, all within 50 km of the principal village of Karaikudi. You can visit the MSMM House Palace, which belongs to the Meyyappan family, in the Karaikudi area of The Bangala Hotel. Ayiram Jannal Veedu is home to Karaikudi, but since it is lived, the entry of tourists is not permitted. The Kanadukathan Chettinad Palace is yet another big manor house where visitors are not allowed.
Look for old family photos at the walls as you visit these houses, the fading memories of the mansions and the people who once lived there. Until you came to see statue from goddess Lakshmi and Lord Murugan to soldiers at the horseback on the main door to the house, cranes your neck, these brilliantly-paint statue was the pride of the house. at the ceiling for the most decorated candlesticks once inside.
The Chettinad temples were originally founded by the early Tamil dynasties like the Cholas and bear witness to local people's spiritual beliefs. Vaastu Shastras and Agamas are constructing temples, as the rich Chettinad funded the houses, the Silpis, after the demise of the Royal Families.There is a private tank known as oorani used for holy rituals in each temple. Today, many of the regular events of Chettinad are still focused on temple festivities. The other famous temples include Vairavan Kovil, Iraniyur, Vinayakar Karpaga, Murugan Kundrakudi, Sivan Kottaiyur and the temple Kandanur Sivan.
Named for the manufacturing site in Chettinad, Athangudi tiles, are manufactured in a variety of colors and designs and crafted with local soil and glass plates by a special process. Such tiles are a testament to the Chettiar community's rich cultural heritage, which has effectively adapted a wide number of influences to their local artistic brand. Athangudi tiles also have the patterns and colors of an earlier period. However, new models and prototypes are introduced at a late date.
Madurai Airport, Tiruchirappalli International Aireport train from Chennai to Kallal, Kanadukaathan and Kdukkottai Rameshwaram stop. The nearest airports are: Madurai Airport and Tiruchirappallà International Airport Trains. The nearest railway station is Karaikudi Junction. Junction.