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22/02/2026

Kolimekki house Pallathur, it is one of the oldest surviving chettinad style house of more than 200 years. Back in 1780s this Dravidian style courtyard houses influenced from Temple architecture, evolved in the region of Chettinad, unlike later period houses which had grandeur with imported stuffs, these houses were more simple, functional and huge houses with intricate carvings with vernacular materials were it's salient features.

During this time it's possible to see kings palace, British buildings in permanent structure, all others lived in simple thatched roof temporary structure. But the nattukottai chettiars of chettinad constructed such a house shows their wealth and prosperity.

~Laxman Natesan

27/01/2024

A wood detail under a rainwater gutter in a typical Chettinadu house.

I can't comprehend their sense of aesthetics; it's simply a support piece under the galvalium rain gutter; it could have been done with basic detail or shape since no one would notice, but the amount of effort they put in to produce this result is incredible.

30/11/2023

A Beautiful Chettinad Mansion at Ariyakudi

29/11/2023

An article about the visit of French artist to Chettinad in Daily thanthi 28.11.23 edition.

25/11/2023

Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple North Gopuram also known as Mottai Gopuram, the construction of gopuram was started by Nayak dynasty and they were not able to complete it due to various reason that's why it was been called as Mottai Gopuram or Bald Gopuram and it was completed by Vynagaram Nagappa chettiar of Amaravathiputhur (His kovil - Pilayarpatti) in the year 1878.

Along with construction of this gopuram, he renovated the entire temple for kumbaabishekam in the year 1878, by reconstructing the compound walls he made it high, he laid stones on Aadi veedhi, concentric square street around the temple, he built thirukalayana mandapam, Kambathadi mandapam with intricate statues one of the most beautiful mandapam in the temple.

He has spent his own money of Rs. 28 lakhs in the year 1878 to do this renovation, to understand the value let us see the cost of gold in year 1878 is just 50 paise per gram. Now we can understand the value of it.

~Laxman Natesan

22/11/2023

| Elagant Mansions of Chockanathapuram |

26/09/2023

Planning principles of Chettinad Towns and Villages.

Chettinadu villages are well planned. The streets were laid at right angle (90 degree).

The villages are designed based on Dandaka System for Town planning and Manai adi sastram for houses.

Dandaka Planning principles:

Having streets on both front and rear side of plots.

The cluster begins with the temple facing east and there will be no clsuter development beyond temple,

Streets should be in right angles.

These villages are the examples of excellence in architecture and urban planning.

Each cluster of houses has its own Pond for its water source. They have understood the slopes and contours before planning the village and planned for water management, as chettinad is a dry area, watch catchment is important for village's survival.

You cannot call it as a village...only because of scale u can name it as a village. These villages stands as examples for big metro cities.

These villages are very successful for habitat only because of lack in career opportunities today these villages has become lonely with few people left.

~Laxman Natesan

25/09/2023

Nagarathar Oorani at Narasingampatti, Madurai.

Palani kavadi and arapattaiyam from palani temple shows us that nagarathar were in trade of salt in the ancient town of palani during 1600s But Nagarathars during late 1700’s were engaged in cotton business left their homes and met at the house of Arjuna Perumal Ambalakarar at Narasingampatti (5 miles west of Melur and 13 miles east of Madurai) and from there they started as a group to various cotton centres. At the end of the trading season, they returned to Narasingampatti from where they branched off to return home. Deeds of palmayrah leaves have been found in the said Ambalakarar' s residence. According to one of those deeds, the profit of 743 varahans accrued in one partnership was spent to dig a drinking water tank in Narasingampatti, From revenue records kept in Melur Taluk office, it is known that the tank is called Nakarattar Orani or Panchuppoti Orani ["the tank built out of profits in cotton bale transactions"]. It is located in NH from melur to madurai near tollgate.
Nagarathars were not only showing interest in building their wealth but they also have spend from earned money for the society where they have done business activities. Palani and Narasingampatti are the best examples for it. They were pioneers in endowment works even from the historic era.

~Laxman Natesan

Reference: Book-Caste and Capitalism in Colonial India: The Nattukottai Chettiars and Book by Ramanathan chettiar.

23/09/2023

Chidambara vilas of Kadiyapatti @ Ramachandrapuram of chettinad.

It is a 120 year old mansion in the village of kadiyapatti, it is one of the lavish mansion of its kind among 11000 chettinad mansions built across chettinad,

It has been leased by Sangam group from 2015 and they are running it as heritage stay, any tourist who wish to experience the lavish life chettiars of 19th century can visit this place, well maintained and renovation done as per law of architecture conservation with out disturbing the heritage value of property. It has 30 luxury rooms, swimming pool and a banquet hall for guests.

Good property for a honey moon couple, also architectural traveller's, this property will be suitable for any kind of traveller's.

22/09/2023

Chettinad villages were built with beautiful roofscapes, we can find a rhythm in the roofscapes, one can witness this in aerior view from top of a building or in a google map.

17/09/2023

This page is part of Chettinattu makkal fb page.

Exclusively created to share about the glory of Chettinad Architecture.

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