About Ilayarasanendal: Ilayarasanendal is a village located in the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu State.

Location: Well connected by road, it is 10 kilometers from Kovilpatti on the Kovilpatti Rajapalayam Road. Nearest Railway Station : Kovilpatti (10kms) Nearest Airport : Tuticorin (70 kms) & Madurai (100kms) Nearest Port : Tuticorin (70 kms) Nearest Industrial Centre: Kovilpatti (Textiles/Matches-10kms); Sivakasi (Crackers-40km) Rajapalayam(Textiles-50kms) Virudunagar(Commodity Trade-50kms) Taluk : Sankarankovil (40kms) District : Tirunelveli (70kms) State : Tamil Nadu Map: Exact locations of all temples / step wells of Ilayarasanendal are diligently marked in wikimapia [Google Ilayarasanendal] or http://wikimapia.org/14645253/Ilayarasanendal or http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2179734&lon=77.7812934&z=16&l=0&m=b or http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2182381&lon=77.7857888&z=18&l=0&m=b Legend of Ilayarasanendal: Established by two sisters in 1600AD, Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi when their father was killed in a battle, by crowning their infant brother and hence the name Ilaya+Arasan+Endal. History of Ilayarasanendal: Ilayarasanendal was an important Zamin in Madurai Nayaka Kingdom ruled by Ravella Kings from 1600AD to 1950AD. The important Zamins in Madurai Nayaka Kingdom are: 1. Ravella kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Madurai Nayaka kingdom. They played important role in wars. They ruled Ilavarasanendal. 2. Pemmasani kings from 1650 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Madurai Nayaka kingdom. They played important role in battles. They ruled Kurvikulam area. 3. Bellam kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Chieftains in Vijayanagar kingdom. They are close friends to Madurai Nayaks. They ruled Sevalpatti area. At the beginning they ruled large areas. 4. Golla kings: They ruled Ninynandal, Thiruvathuru areas in Ramanadapuram.

5. Pemmasani kings from 1600 AD to 1950 AD: Ruled Nikarpatti in Madurai Dist. Rulers: History of Ravellas The independence of Telugu land came to an end in fifty years with the martyrdom of Musunuri Kaapaaneedu, a prominent Kamma warrior in 1370 A.D at the hands of Recherla Velamas who collaborated with Bahmani sultan [1]. A large number of remaining Nayaks who served under Kaapaaneedu migrated to Vijayanagar and sworn allegiance to Bukka Raya, a close associate of Kaapaaneedu in protecting the Hindu dharma in Dakshnapatha (Deccan). Among them, Ravella a kamma clan which earned laurels for their bravery and defense of Vijayanagar Empire in the coming three centuries was noteworthy. The military commanders of Araviti kings were predominantly from Ravella clan. The most invaluable source of Ravella chiefs, their lineage and military exploits is a Telugu poetic treatise Sougandhikaprasavapaharanamu by Ratnakaram Gopalakavi. Early history The first menton of a Ravella chief was found in the inscription of Rajaraja III (1257 CE) [2]. Ravella chiefs ruled Srisailam and Dupatiseema from 1364 CE as vassals of Vijayanagar Empire [3]. Their title Chalamartiganda shows that they belonged to Durjaya clan and Vallutla Gothra. The commanders The Ravella clan can be traced from Malla Nayaka (1495 A.D.) who served as a commander in Saluva Narasimha Rayas army[4]. Malla vanquished the army of Qutb Shah (Bahmani General) at Gudipadu and cut the general into pieces. He was known by his title Rajahridayabhalla Pratapaprabhava. Poet Ratnakaram Gopalakavi described the exploits of Malla in detail[5]. Ravella clan had a large camping ground of 1260 Kuntas in the city of Vijayanagar [6]. Malla used to maintain an army of 6,000 soldiers and 400 horses [7]. His annual income was 13,000 Varahas (gold coins) out of which one third was paid to the king. Malla assisted Vasireddy Mallikarjuna in his battle with Haider Jung and died in 1527 CE (Vasireddy Clan). Mallas son Tippa participated in the expedition of Krishnadevaraya to defeat the Gajapatis (1513-1515 CE) [8]. The king decorated Tippa with many laurels and presented many gifts. Tippas son Papa defeated the Muslim army and captured Kurnool fort for Rama Raya (1506 CE)[9]. Papas son Tippa II and grandson Linga I were also great warriors. Konda (son of Linga I) who served Saluva Timmaraya conquered Adoni fort by defeating Naudul Khan at Manavapuri. Tippa IIs son Ayyappa was a decorated commander in the army of Rama Raya. He ruled from Tirumanikota. He recovered Penukonda and Adoni forts from Abdullah Qutbshah of Golkonda in 1611 CE. He was decorated with many titles such as Aswarevanta,

Parabalabhima, Chalamartivaraganda, Adavanidurgagarvavibhala, Hattumuvvraganda etc., Later, Linga II, grandson of Ayyappa, commanded the Vijayanagar army and captured the forts of Kurnool, Gandikota and Adoni[10]. Gopala Kavi who described the exploits of Linga II was patronized by him. Inscriptions in Nellore district showed that during the rule of Araviti kings, Ravella/Ravilla clan controlled Podili (Tippa Nayudu), Udayagiri (Koneti Nayudu) and Kocherlakota (Timma Nayudu). Families of Ravella/Ravilla clan are currently distributed in Krishna, Guntur, Chittoor and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh in addition to a Zamindari (Ilayarasanendal in Tirunelveli Dt) in Tamil Nadu. Shri.Kasturi Ranga Appasamy, was the last Zamindar of Ilayarasanendal. Three palaces (including the one demolished) are of historical significance (with legends attached to it) at the ambalam (city centre) exhibit their past glory. Festivals: Sivaratri is an important festival, where the decedents (now spread over the entire world) visits innumerable temples situated in all eight directions. Irulappasamy is the kuldev of rulers; Angalaparameswari has been the largest attraction from her roots. Perumal Kovil and Shiv Temples exhibits standard tamil architects with beautiful theerthams/ theppakkulams in agraharam street. Badra Kali attracts peoples from other villages like uththumalai; Mariammal and Ayyanar temples for village folks. And the number goes on beyond imagination. Ilayarasanendal Periya Paperananda AppasamysSmall Palace is a place where Babas Guru Paper Swami from Podhigai attained Jeeva Samadhi. Prof Ilampirai Manimaran citing a research in her speech reveals this. Bengali version Auto biography of a yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda centers around initiation to an army clerk Lahiri Mahasayas adventures at Ranikhet [Queens Field]. Tamil version 18-siddha kriya yoga claims that stone carving of lord Badrinarayan depicts a youthful male figure sitting in lotus posture with an striking resemblance to Babaji. Still the search is on References
1. Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History, M. Somasekhara Sarma 2. Nellore Inscriptions, No. 6 3. Kammavari Charitra, 1939, K. B. Choudary 4. Nilakanta Sastry, http://ia300234.us.archive.org/0/items/FurtherSourcesOfVijayanagaraHistory/TXT/0000 0337.txt 5. Sougandhikaprasavapaharanamu by Ratnakaram Gopalakavi 6. Bharati, Sukla Samputamu, p. 623 7. Vijayanagar Empire: A Forgotten Chapter of Indian History by Robert Sewell 8. Krishnaraja Vijayamu by Kumara Durjati

9. Vasucharitra 10. K. Iswara Dutt, Journal of Andhra Historical Research Society. Vol. 10, pp. 222-224

TEMPLES 1. Angalaparameswari Temple: Legend of Ilayarasanendal: Established by two sisters in 1600AD, Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi when their father was killed in a battle, by crowning their infant brother and hence the name Ilaya+Arasan+Endal. The universal force behind the establishment is believed to be Angalaparameswari, and the temple is over 500 years old. The temple is reconstructed recently & beautifully and still one can find the old idol at south west corner of the temple. The maxim is THINK PROSPERITY VISIT ANGALAPARAMESWARI TEMPLE 1a.Irul appasamy, the son of Anagalaparameswari, Kuldev of rulers is having his abode at south west corner of the village. Exact locations of all temples / stepwells of Ilayarasanendal are diligently marked in wikimapia[google Ilayarasanendal] or http://wikimapia.org/14645253/Ilayarasanendal or http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2179734&lon=77.7812934&z=16&l=0&m=b or http://wikimapia.org/#lat=9.2182381&lon=77.7857888&z=18&l=0&m=b 1b.Nondi Irul appasamy temple situated in eastern side of the village is like thirukkural though second line is handicapped, none can underestimate thirukkurals messages. 2. Badra Kali Amman Temple: This is one of the temples which attract devotees from other villages by Khechari (darshan in dreams) power of Amman. Another legend is that Nagalakshmi and Veeralakshmi were worshipped in a palace (Part II palace) which is demolished twenty years before. It is a belief that they are still seeing their establishment, from Angalaparameswari temple in North West and Badra Kali temple in South East directions. 2a.Mariamman Kovil located in northern part of the village, too is recently renovated. 3. Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple or Shivan Kovil: Forgotten temple of Ilayarasanendal, got noticed when devotees got grace and success from the roof after their visits. Over and above, shivan called sannyasi/sannyasins from
other places as care takers by his order in their dreams.

Now it is a custom to visit this temple after their trip to Angalaparameswari temple. The temple is believed to reduce the ill effects of seven and a half Saturn influence with the help of Anjaneya and Ullasa Ganapathi. Rudra Mudra Kriya is known to reduce the ill effects of Saturn. Facing north Sit in front of Saturn so that your left eye can see the lingam. Place the tips of your thumb, index finger, and ring finger together. Extend the

other two fingers in a relaxed way. Do this with each hand and meditate on Anjaneya (who got the grace of vayu and shivan) 3a.Perumal Kovil: Perumal Kovil like Shiv Temples exhibits standard tamil architects with beautiful theerthams/ theppakkulams in agraharam street. Come markazhi, bajans from devotees overflows across main streets in early morning. 4.Ayyanar Kovil: The annual festival in mahasivaratri draws maximum crowd all over from the district , as near as from Melappatti and as long as from Kadayanallur. This temple called Thalaikavudaya Ayyanar Kovil belongs to Vadugaya Yadava community situated outside the village in western part crossing periyakulam. Mahasivaratri is an important festival for Ilayarasanendal, where the decedents (now spread over the entire world) visits innumerable temples situated in all eight directions. Noteable among them with sizeable follow up are Lingammal; Ganagmmal Kovil.One may wonder, has Ilayarasanendal become a kailash during the wedding of shiv and parvati [which created imbalance because of which agasthiya rishi has to travel to south]. 5. Jeeva Samadhi: Guru Pooja is the annual festival celebrated at Small Palace Where Babas Guru Paper Swami from Podhigai hills attained Jeeva Samadhi. Babas are eternal. At least three in our generation are worth noticing. a. Tamil version 18-siddha kriya yoga claims that stone carving of lord Badrinarayan depicts a youthful male figure sitting in lotus posture with a striking resemblance to Babaji. B.Bengali version Auto biography of a yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda centers on initiation to an army clerk Lahiri Mahasayas adventures at Ranikhet [Queens Field]. C.Podhigai version embraces babaji who advocated Apana Mudra kriya [a mudra which focuses on adhi (ether element-mid finger) and andham (earth element-ring finger) of pancha bhudhas] for purification and yogic experience of sat-chit ananda. This is the mudra Rajnikanth performed in his film Baba. The maxim is "VISIT SUNDARESWAR REDUCE YOUR SUFFERING & MULTIPLY YOUR SUCCESS" 6.Roman Catholic Church of Nativity of our Lady: Located in ambalam [city centre], it is a vibrant church with mass prayers in morning as well as in evening. The services of RC Middle School is commandable. Mary festival during Christmas forms an important celebration.