History

The History of Nagarathars and Their Arrival in Malaya

Foreword: This article discusses the history and business of the Nagarathars, from their beginning to their arrival in Malaya and their continued excellence in present-day Malaysia.

Early History

The Nagarathars arrived in Malaya in the 18th century during the British rule.
They came on their own, started businesses, and invested in plantations and tin mines.
Their contributions were a major factor in the economic development of Southeast Asian countries.
They provided financial assistance to Chinese traders during the British period and conducted their moneylending business with integrity.
They built “kittangis” (warehouses) and used them as offices and residences.
The kittangis also housed kitchens, and the Nagarathars categorized their workers as errand boy, agent, assistant, and owner, but over time, they made them all partners and expanded their businesses.
It is to their credit that they made their employees owners as well.
They also worshipped Lord Dandayuthapani on the upper floor of the kittangi.
By spending their money on charity work, they were able to build so many temples in Malaysia.
The Nagarathars in Malaysia continue to hold elaborate temple festivals in a different village each month.
They also donate a portion of their income to God, known as ‘magamai’.
Lord Dandayuthapani was their support as they came alone to do business while their wives were in India.
They also played a part in the growth of art, culture, traditions, and customs in Malaya.
After Malaya gained independence in 1957, they started living with their families.
Their work expanded into politics, economics, law, medicine, banking, and accounting.
Malaya became Malaysia, and Singapore was born, where their work continues.
The schools and temples here will forever speak of the Nagarathars, and it is the responsibility and duty of the youth and future generations to protect and preserve them all.

Kittangis and Nagarathar Lodges in Malaysia

The Nagarathars who came from across the sea to do business built kittangis.
They stayed there as a group and conducted their businesses.
These kittangis were located near facilities such as bus stations, train stations, markets, post offices, telephone booths, banks, and temples.
The unique thing about these kittangis was that they kept and worshipped their family deities on the upper floor.
The Nagarathar History book states that Nattukkottai Chettiars first came to trade in Penang and Singapore in 1825.
Although the traditional occupation of Nagarathars is moneylending, they also engaged in agriculture and other industries.
The kittangis they built to do business still exist throughout the country.
They also established an organization called “Chettiars Chambers of Commerce” in the cities where they lived and implemented many good plans.
They spent all their earnings and wealth on charitable work and viewed Tamil and Saiva (a sect of Hinduism) work as their two eyes.

Malaysian Dhanavaisiya Youth Association

The Malaysian Dhanavaisiya Youth Association was established and officially registered as the Malaysian Dhanavaisiya Association on May 22, 1984.
With the cooperation of the Nagarathars, the association built its own building on April 15, 1995, which now serves as a Nagarathar lodge in Kuala Lumpur.
The association’s second building was purchased near the Kuala Lumpur Sri Dandayuthapani Temple on August 21, 2011.
The association celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee as an international Nagarathar conference at Hotel Istana in Kuala Lumpur from December 7, 2007, to December 9, 2007.
The association celebrated its 60th anniversary on March 24, 2018, at the Pullman Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Dhanavaisiya Cooperative

The cooperative society, started by the members of the Malaysian Dhanavaisiya Association, continues to operate despite many challenges.
It is noteworthy that this cooperative has purchased an apartment in the Jalan Ipoh area of Kuala Lumpur.

Nagarathar Temples

The Nagarathars, who came to foreign lands in search of wealth, viewed Saivam (a sect of Hinduism) and Tamil as their two eyes.
In addition to building temples, conducting charitable work, performing Kumbabhishekam (consecration ceremonies), and establishing Nagarathar lodges, schools, and colleges in India, they also performed praiseworthy work in what was then Malaya and is now Malaysia.
It is important to note that Singapore was also part of Malaya at that time.
We are proud to present the history of these famous temples with pictures in a concise manner for future generations to know, and we sincerely wish that this work continues forever.

Nagarathar Temples

The Nagarathars, who came to foreign lands in search of wealth, viewed Saivam (a sect of Hinduism) and Tamil as their two eyes.
In addition to building temples, conducting charitable work, performing Kumbabhishekam (consecration ceremonies), and establishing Nagarathar lodges, schools, and colleges in India, they also performed praiseworthy work in what was then Malaya and is now Malaysia.
It is important to note that Singapore was also part of Malaya at that time.
We are proud to present the history of these famous temples with pictures in a concise manner for future generations to know, and we sincerely wish that this work continues forever.

Kuala Lumpur Nagarathar Sri Dandayuthapani Temple

The temple of Sri Dandayuthapani, also known as the Sentul Murugan Temple, is located on Ipoh Road and was founded in 1893.
The first Kumbabhishekam of this temple took place in 1902, and the most recent one was on February 1, 2013.
Many festivals are celebrated here throughout the year, from the month of Chithirai to Panguni.
However, the most elaborately celebrated festival is the Panguni Uthiram festival.
The main event of this festival is the sight of Lord Dandayuthapani being carried on a silver chariot from Leboh Ampang.
The silver chariot on which Lord Murugan is carried was brought from Tamil Nadu about 90 years ago, in 1923.
Sentul Murugan is celebrated by millions of devotees not only as a grand Lord of Kuala Lumpur but also as one who has a unique power of attraction that no other deity has.

Klang Sri Nagarathar Dandayuthapani Temple

The Klang Sri Nagarathar Dandayuthapani Temple was built around 100 years ago and is known as ‘Chetty Temple’ in Klang.
The temple is managed and maintained by the Nattukkottai Chettiar community of Klang.
The Klang Municipal Council has recognized the temple building as a heritage building and has included it in the heritage walk.
Numerous tourists visit the temple daily to see its Rajagopuram (main tower), which is adorned with more than 100 sculptures.
Many religious and cultural events are held at the temple throughout the year.
The most important annual festival is the ‘Thirukarthikai Festival,’ during which the idol of Lord Dandayuthapani is taken on a silver chariot to bless the people of Klang.

Ipoh Nagarathar Dandayuthapani Temple

The tin-rich soil of Ipoh and its central location attracted the Nagarathars.
The Nagarathars chose Ipoh, the capital of Perak state, as a suitable place for business.
Within a few years of their arrival, the idea of building a temple for Lord Murugan arose.
The land for building the temple on Lahat Road, where the Sri Dandayuthapani Temple is now located, was purchased in 1905.
After the completion of the construction, sculpture, and tower work, the Kumbabhishekam was held three years later.
The appearance of the Ipoh Sri Dandayuthapani Temple is beautiful.
Following the entrance, there are two spacious porches.
The beauty of the temple, with its walls and beautiful sanctum, can be described endlessly.
On this special day, thousands of devotees worship Lord Murugan with great devotion and receive his grace through special anointing ceremonies, decorations, Maheswara Puja, and the deity’s procession.
The Kumbabhishekam was successfully held on February 10, 2019.
The Nagarathars also established a Tamil school next to this temple.
This is a good example of how art and the three branches of Tamil literature (poetry, prose, and drama) flourish wherever Lord Murugan resides.
They have been running the school for many years.

Teluk Intan Sri Dandayuthapani Temple

The town of Teluk Anson, known as the ‘Diamond Bay’ in Perak state, has been renamed Teluk Intan.
Here too, the Nagarathars have built a temple for Lord Murugan.
In this town, the people first worshipped Lord Murugan by keeping a spear.
They only built a temple later on.
The temple here is very neatly built with beautiful Burmese teak carvings.
We all know Palani Andavar in Palani.
The Lord Dandayuthapani who blesses in Teluk Intan is also known as Malaysian Palani Andavar.
When it comes to Teluk Intan, the most special festival is the Chithra Pournami festival.
Everything from the devotees carrying kavadi in the morning to the Maheswara Puja and the silver chariot procession at night is celebrated with great splendor.
Thousands of devotees come from other towns to participate in the Chithra Pournami festival and receive the blessings of Lord Murugan, making the entire town of Teluk Intan festive during this time.

Taiping Sri Dandayuthapani Temple

About 140 years ago, the Nagarathars of Taiping built a small temple at the foot of Maxwell Hill on the way to Waterfalls Hill.
They installed the Gnana Vadivel and worshipped Lord Dandayuthapani.
The first consecration ceremony took place in 1906.
The Nagarathars held the Panguni Uthiram festival as a special festival in this temple until 1928.
From 1929 onwards, they started celebrating it as the Adi Vel festival on the full moon day of the month of Adi.
This change was based on the tradition of one festival per temple in the Nagarathar temples.
On that day, special pujas are held and food is distributed to the devotees.

Penang Nagarathar Dandayuthapani Temple

Penang is celebrated as the Pearl of Malaysia.
The Nagarathars started their business in Penang in early 1818.
At that time, they wished to build a temple for Lord Dandayuthapani, the Lord of the Six Abodes.
However, on August 9, 1850, they installed and worshipped a golden idol of the deity in a temple house at 138 Penang Street.
Later, they purchased a 5-acre piece of land on Penang Water Falls Road in 1854.
Historical evidence shows that they built the Waterfalls Hill Dandayuthapani Temple and consecrated it on December 12, 1857.
The hill and the park above the Waterfalls Hill Temple represent the Kurinji land (a mountainous region) of Lord Murugan.
The temple at the foot of Waterfalls Hill and the hill temple, located in a naturally beautiful place, remind us of Palani.

Penang Dato Keramat Road Shiva Temple

The Sri Markandeswarar Temple on Penang Dato Keramat Road is said to be the first Shiva temple to be established in what was then Malaya.
It is said that this temple was built by a North Indian Shiva devotee, a Gurkha, about 160 years ago, with a Lingam taken from the Ganges River and an idol of Amman (the Mother Goddess).
Many years later, due to the old age of the Gurkha, he was unable to run the Shiva temple.
He believed that the people would not worship according to the Agamic traditions after him.
He decided that the Penang Dhanavaisiya Nattukkottai Chettiars were the right people to manage it properly.
Accordingly, he met with the important Nagarathars and kindly asked them to accept the Shiva temple for free and to perform Shiva-Shakti worship daily according to the traditions.
Thus, from July 3, 1871, the temple became the property and management of the Penang Nattukkottai Chettiars.
The special rituals in this temple are the Natarajar’s procession in the months of Chithirai and Ani and the Navarathri festival in Purattasi.

Penang Walappoor Dandayuthapani Muthumariamman Temple

The Sri Dandayuthapani Temple, owned by the Nattukkottai Chettiars of Walappoor Bayan Lepas, was originally a Muthumariamman temple.
Later, when it came under the care of the Nattukkottai Chettiars, they installed a Dandayuthapani idol in it and performed the first consecration ceremony in 1903.
The special festival celebrated at this temple is the Vaikasi Visakam festival.
On that day, special pujas are performed and food is distributed to the public.

Jawi Sri Dandayuthapani Temple Parit Buntar

This temple was built about 101 years ago, in 1918, on the banks of the Jawi River by U. The. Me. Meyyappa Chettiar of Nibong Tebal on his estate as a Kaliyamman temple.
Later, he installed a self-manifested Dandayuthapani idol found in the Jawi River in the temple.
He then handed over the temple to the Nagarathars of Parit Buntar, Nibong Tebal, Sungai Bakap, Sungai Kedong, Bagan Serai, and Selama.
Since then, the Nagarathars have taken over the management of this temple and are running it well.
The special festival celebrated at this temple is the Chithra Pournami festival.
On that day, the deity is brought in a chariot from the town of Nibong Tebal to the Jawi temple.
Maheswara Puja is then performed and food is distributed.
Renovation work is currently underway at the temple, and a consecration ceremony for the newly renovated temple is expected soon.
The government acquired a part of the temple’s land for highway construction and provided a significant amount of money for it.
The temple’s renovation work was done well.

Sungairumbai (Bukit Mertajam) Dandayuthapani Temple

The Nagarathars built a temple for Lord Dandayuthapani in Sungairumbai, a beautiful town in Wellesley Province, in 1897.
Every year, they grandly celebrate the Panguni Uthiram festival at this temple according to Agamic traditions with special consecration ceremonies.
At that time, Maheswara Puja is performed, and food is distributed to everyone.
On that night, Lord Dandayuthapani is taken on a chariot in a procession around the town to give darshan to the people.

Kulim Sri Dandayuthapani Temple

In the early days, the Kulim Nagarathars used to worship the Lord Dandayuthapani in Sungairumbai.
In 1930, they started building a separate temple in Kulim’s Jalan Putra with the help of Chinese construction workers and sculptors and masons from Tamil Nadu.
The first consecration ceremony was held on June 16, 1940.
Renovation work is currently underway for the consecration ceremony.
The main festival celebrated at this temple is Thirukarthikai in the month of Karthigai.
Special pujas are performed on that day, and food is distributed to all the devotees.
This temple is special because it was the 16th Dandayuthapani temple built and worshipped by the Nattukkottai Chettiars in Singapore and Malaysia before the Second World War.

Alor Setar Dandayuthapani Temple

Rajaraja Chola, the Chola emperor who conquered and ruled many countries, came to Kedah and became Kadaram Konda Chola.
Kadaram is Kedah.
The poet Kannadasan would say, “When the Nagarathars came to foreign lands to trade, what was their job but to install the spear they brought and worship it?”.
They installed the spear in the year Pramatheesa, 1913.
They built the temple in 1916.
An idol of Lord Murugan was exported from Chennai.
Murugan, who went around the world for a mango, must have wanted to reach London to bless the devotees, and so the idol landed in London.
After the First World War began and ended, the idol arrived in Alor Setar, and the first consecration ceremony was held.
The temple was later enlarged, and the second consecration ceremony was held on March 15, 1978.
The people of Alor Setar affectionately call their Lord Murugan “London Murugan”.
The temple is built on a 2-acre plot of land, measuring 120 x 40 square feet.
In the sanctum, there is Sri Dandayuthapani in the form of a hermit.
There are also stone idols of Lord Ganesha, peacock, spear, altar, Arasamarathu Pillaiyar, and Hanuman.
There are also plaster statues of Lord Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Perumal, Brahma, Durga, two dwarapalakas, and Mahalakshmi on the pillars, as well as idols of Lord Ganesha, Murugan, Perumal, Kadamban, and Agastiyar.
There are also special idols of Sivakami Ammai with Nataraja and the four saints, as well as pictures of Sri Rama’s coronation, Palani Andavar, Nataraja-Sivakami Ammai, and the four saints.
The temple has an office, a kitchen, a staff accommodation, a wedding hall, and a kitchen, along with an “Aachis Corner”.
It also has the facility for writing magamai and staying in an air-conditioned room.
The biggest festivals are Masimagam and Thirukarthigai, and all other ceremonies are also held.
Before Masimagam, the members write magamai and buy items in the auction for large sums of money.
The chariot that comes on Masimagam day is 100 years old.
Citations are chanted before the deity’s arrival and during the joining of the procession.
There are 68 magamai members, 14 kittangis, and 13 trustees.
There have been many miracles and special events at this temple.
1) Someone took the Nandavanam Pillaiyar idol without anyone’s knowledge, but they returned it in a hurry due to fear (or devotion).
That is the current Arasamarathu Pillaiyar idol.
2) By the grace of Lord Velavan of Alor Setar, the foot pilgrimage to Alor Setar Waterfalls Hill, like the one in Palani, without wearing footwear, has been taking place for 44 years with the blessings of Satguru Sarahanabavananthar.
3) Two pilgrimages, one from Thana Merah Murugan Temple and another from Pokok Sena Amman Temple, come to this temple for Masimagam from a distance of 12 miles.
4) Every year, the Arunagirinathar festival is held by inviting spiritual leaders from India.
5) When we talk about our temple, we cannot forget to mention the Shiva temple in Kadaram (at Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple), which was built by one of our Alor Setar Nagarathars, Dato C. Naga Alagusundaram, with the blessings of his Guru and God.
After the Chola king of Kadaram went back, he built the great Brihadeeswarar Temple with Brihannayaki in Thanjavur.
From the many names of the deities, the name Brihannayaki with Brihadeeswarar was chosen by drawing lots for this Shiva temple.

Seremban Selva Vinayagar Temple

The Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple is maintained by the Nattukkottai Chettiars of Seremban and is located on Jalan Temiang in Seremban.
Every year, the Vinayagar Chathurthi festival, which falls in the month of Avani, is celebrated as the temple’s annual festival.
On that day, special pujas are performed for Lord Vinayagar, and food is distributed to the devotees in a proper queue.
They take Lord Vinayagar and Vel Murugan in a beautiful chariot in a procession to bless the people.
The renovation work of the wedding hall in this temple was completed with a full air-conditioning system, and its inauguration took place on March 16, 2008.

Malacca Sri Sannasimalai Andavar Temple

About 120 years ago, a saint from India came and built a small hut where he stayed and worshipped a Lingam.
As he grew older, the saint handed over the responsibility of worshipping the Lingam to the Nattukkottai Chettiars of Malacca.
After a short time, the saint passed away and was laid to rest at the same place.
The Nattukkottai Nagarathars installed a Murugan idol, enlarged the temple, and have been worshipping there with great splendor.
The most important festival for the main deity, Lord Murugan, is the Masimagam festival, which attracts many devotees from Malaysia and Singapore.
The sacred spear of Lord Murugan is taken from the temple and brought to the Malacca Sri Poiyatha Vinayagar Temple, where it is worshipped as Lord Murugan himself.
The Poiyatha Vinayagar Temple has a silver chariot.
They place a golden idol of Lord Murugan on the silver chariot and beautify it.
On the first day, at around 3 PM, the procession reaches Sannasimalai.
On the next morning, special pujas are performed for Lord Murugan.
The Poiyatha Vinayagar Temple belongs to the Malacca Chetti community.
Since they were unable to run the temple properly, they handed over its responsibility to the Malacca Nattukkottai Chettiars.
On the day before Masimagam, Lord Murugan is brought in a silver chariot from the Poiyatha Vinayagar Temple and arrives at Sannasimalai in the evening.
On the day of Masimagam, special pujas and rituals are performed, and food is distributed.