VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sathya Vijaya Nagaram Aranmanai / S. V. Nagaram Palace, Arani, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Sathya Vijaya Nagaram Aranmanai / S. V. Nagaram Palace, Arani, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

A continuation post to Arani visit…

18^th March 2017.

Sathya Vijaya Nagaram otherwise known as S V Nagaram was established by the Jagir Venkatanatha Rao Sahib in 1825CE, an ardent follower of Madhwa sampradaya. Veda ji Bhaskar Pant a Maharashtra Brahmin, was associated with Shahaji, the father of Shivaji. The Pant also accompanied with Shahji during his expedition to south India. Shahji gifted this Aranai to this Vedaji Bhaskar Pant in 1640 AD, who was then, called as Zamindar / Jagir. The Jagirdars were in Power till 1948 AD. Jagir Venkatanatha Rao, Sahib, the decedent of the Pant Constructed a Mutt & Moola Brindavana for Sri Satya Vijaya Theertharu in this place and named after him. Located on the banks of Kamandala-naga River. The palace or the Aranmanai was constructed adjacent to the Moola Brindavana. The Jagirdar, as per the instruction of the pontiff established this S V Nagara for the upliftment of poor Brahmins from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The palace / Aranmanai was constructed 1825CE ( assumed since correct date was not available ) and expanded in 1876 CE ( a stone tablet was installed on an entrance wall ), with Ground + 2 floor are now in ruins. The style of construction is called as “Stuart Architecture”. The Queen’s palace and the fountain are renovated and being used by the Tamil Nadu Government. The Tamil Nadu Govt. Veterinary Hospital and Regional Institute for Rural Development was functioned in this Palace.

The complex consists of Main Palace and a Palace for the queen or Jagirdar's wife. The main palace was constructed with bricks and over which lime mortar ( Mixture of lime and sand ) plastering was done. Polishing was done after plastering. Still we can see and feel the smoothness of the wall in the un-pealed portions. Woods are used for supports for the ceilings. The pillars are constructed with specially made semi circular bricks and round granite stones are used to increase strength to hold the load. The stucco work on the Pillars, above doors ways, windows both inside and out side are excellent with figures like lion, human face etc., and paintings are done on the ceilings and walls.

In Queen’s Palace entrance door glass has an etching of Jagirdars emblem (an image of a fort and a hand with sword). A Latin word ‘PER DEUM-ET FERRUM OBTINUI” is written and the meaning is “We got all these through GOD and our sword”. Similar images can be seen on the Sadras Fort and Pulicat Dutch cemeteries.

The above Palace was constructed in a 300 acres of land. The Jagirdars lived lavishly. They used to go to horse races conducted at, Chennai, Ooty and Bangalore. They bought imported cars from various countries and had all brands of cars starts with A to Z. They had 182 cars at one period and at least 8 to 10 cars might have parked in the palace.

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