Nagarathar

Nagarathar

The Nagarathars (Tamil: நகரத்தார் செட்டியார்) is a Chettiar forward caste community following Shaivism (Tamil: சைவ சமயம்) that originated in Kaveripoompattinam under the Chola kingdom of India. They are a prominent mercantile Vaishya, (Tamil: வைசியர்) caste in Tamil Nadu, South India. They are a community with very rich cultural heritage, known for their philanthropy; building temples and schools, and maintaining them throughout India and Asia. Chettiars are extremely intelligent and have strong values. They were able to travel to foreign countries by boat, train, and by foot and set up businesses. They have built huge mansions, many with gorgeous tiles imported from Italy in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These beautiful pieces of architecture can be found in Tamil Nadu. Even today, Nagarathars have formed Sangams in different countries where they meet, preserve their culture, the Tamil Language, built Thendhayuthapani Temples (Singapore, Rangoon, Moulmein, Mandalay and fifty other locations in Myanmar, Saigon, china town near saigon, Medan, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Kulim, Valapur (Balik Pulau), Alor Setar, Sungai Rambai (Bukit Mertajam), Jawi, Taiping, Ipoh, Tanjung Malim, Seremban, Melaka, Batu Pahat, Muar, and many more in Straits settlement and Malaya and donate money for good causes. Now Nagarathars live in 52 countries.