ABOUT

The Muthu Mariamman in the Narthamalai temple blesses the devotees abundantly in a seated position. Since the name of the plae is Narthamalai, the Goddess is also known as Narthamalai Muthu Mariamman. The “Perungalur Sthala Puranam” says that since the Vedha Rishi Naradha did penance in the mountains here, the place came to be known as Naradhamalai. As days passed by, the name evolved as ‘Narthamalai’. Approximately 1300 years ago, [Between 7 AD and 9 AD] the place which was a part of the Pallava kingdom, had been under the direct control of the Thanjavur Mutharaiyar kingdom. [ In the first part of the Ponniyin Selvan tamil novel, the Pazhuvoor fighters who mock Vandhiya Devan’s horse belong to the same Mutharaiyar lineage. In the 9th century, Narthamalai came under the Chola empire after after Vijayalaya Chola defeated the Mutharaiyars. It is also believed by some that centuries ago, the Business men / Traders who were also known as ‘Nagaratthaar’ received the temples, ponds [ Kulam ] belonging to the temples, subsidies and aids from the kings and governed them efficiently. Apart from preserving the place, village development schemes and collection of taxes were done by them and thus they secured a very good name. Therefore this place was prosperous and became a wealthy, business trade capital where business flourished.