Devakottai (தேவகோட்டை)
Devakottai is the principal residence of Nattukkottai chettiars, they came from Kaviripoom Pattinam in Nagapattinam district few centuries ago. Near Kaviripoom Pattinam there was a place called Devakottai and the immigrants named this place also as "Devakottai" in remembrance of descendant and their nativity. The Tamil meaning of "Devi" is Goddess and fort is "Kottai". The name “Devikottai" which in course of time was became "Devakottai"
Devakottai is noted for its literature, shaivite temple buildings, publishing, judiciary and politics. The town was important during the Indian independence movement. The municipal court in Devakottai was burned to ground during the Quit India Movement and the town suffered punitive fines and some citizens served prison terms.
Today Devakottai is a favoured site for movie shootings, mainly because of its palatial bungalows. Now Devakottai is coming under Thiruvadanai constituency and Mr KR Ramasamy Ambalam and his father late Mr KR RM Kariamanickam Ambalam are / were the permanant MLA's of the constituency. For parlimentaty it comes in Sivagangai, in who Mr Chidambara, Home Minister is the long term MP here.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Devakottai in 1934 to condone with the death of Poochi, a Dalit, in the movement against untouchability, and held discussions with Dalits and Nattars, who were opposed to Dalits wearing shirts. The 75th aaniversaryof the Mahatma's visit was celebrated at the site where he stayed- Saraswathi vasaka salai- in January 2009.
Karmaveerar Kamarajar, Perarignar Anna Durai, MGR, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Dhevar, Selvi Jayalalitha and Kalaignar Karunanidhi have visited Devakottai on many occasions.
In the first half of the 20th century, the temples of Rameswaram, Kalahasti, Kalayar Koil, Thiruvengadu, Thiruvadanai, Thirupunavasal, Thiru Yedagam, Thiruvisainallur, Thiruvarur, Seerkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Nalla Koorur, Thiruvanmiyur, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruchuli, Courtallam, Thievennainallur, Kandadevi, Kottur, Pennagaram (now Pennadam) were all converted to stone structures in whole or part by pious nagarathar families of Devakottai. Since the Dhevars are the majority community and it was called Dhevarkottai subsequently changed as Devakottai.
Temples:
The Hindu temples in Devakottai include:
1. Nagara Sivan Kovil (maintained by the representatives of 40 sects of Nagarathar Community in Devakottai)
2. Silambani Pillayar Kovil (located near the Silambani Oorani)
3. Vellayan Oorani Pillayar Kovil
4. T. Oorani Pillayar Kovil
5. PL Chellappa Chettiar Kovil
6. Ranganatha Perumal Kovil
7. Karutha Oorani Pillayar Kovil
2. Silambani Pillayar Kovil (located near the Silambani Oorani)
3. Vellayan Oorani Pillayar Kovil
4. T. Oorani Pillayar Kovil
5. PL Chellappa Chettiar Kovil
6. Ranganatha Perumal Kovil
7. Karutha Oorani Pillayar Kovil
Famous Nagarathars:
- Dr. Justice AR.Lakshmanan, Chairman, Law Commission of India & Retd. Judge, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi
- Thiru S.S.Meenakshi Sundaram, Retd. IAS and Secy. to Prime Minister of India
- Hari Sevugan, National Press Secy for Democratic National Committee, U.S. Presidents Head of Rapid Response Team, Senior Spokes Person for U.S. President Obama.
- Thiru. R Lakshmanan C.A., IAS - District Collector In Bihar
