Draft:Pandarakulam

Not to be confused with Pandarikulam.

Pandarakulam (/pʌndɑːrəkʊlʌm/, puhn-DAH-ruh-kuh-lum) also known as Pandarakkulam is a small village located in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India, approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of Valliyoor along the road to Sithur. The village is well-known for its St. Thomas Church, which holds significant cultural and religious importance in the region.

Pandarakulam பண்டாரக்குளம்
Village
Pandarakulam Pandarakulam
Coordinates: 8°23′14.21″N 77°37′59.61″E
Country	IndiaIndia
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Tirunelveli
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Pin Codes	627117
Area code(s)	91 (0)462, (0)4633

The name "Pandarakulam" is rendered in Tamil: பண்டாரக்குளம், romanized: Paṇṭārakkuḷam, Tamil pronunciation: [paɳɖaːɾakkulam]; reflecting the Tamil heritage of the village. Historically, it was a rural settlement with deep religious roots, and over time, it has evolved into a community with strong ties to both Christianity and local traditions. The village serves as an important cultural hub for its residents and visitors alike, with its annual religious festivals attracting many from the surrounding areas

History

The people of Pandarakulam believe that St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, passed through the village on his way from Kerala to Sri Lanka. According to local tradition, St. Thomas stayed here for several days, preaching the gospel and baptizing the people. He is believed to have left a stone cross, known as the "Thomas Cross," which was used for worship by the local community. After leaving Pandarakulam, St. Thomas traveled to places such as Kancankudi, Tiruchendur, and Mannapad.

The community that worshiped the cross referred to themselves as the "Cross Pandars," and the cross became known as the "Thomas Cross." The villagers dug a pond to manage their water needs, which was named after the Pandars, giving the village its name, Pandarakulam. During the 18th century drought, many of the original inhabitants migrated, but the stone cross remained at the original site.

In the mid-19th century, a Christian couple from the Nadar community settled in Pandarakulam and were entrusted with preserving the Thomas Cross. This couple's descendants became the central figures in the community's worship practices. Over time, Hindu families also settled in the village, and the area was divided into "Melaur" (the upper area) and "Keelur" (the area where Christians resided).

Church History

The Thomas Cross, believed to have been carved by St. Thomas himself, has been the focal point of worship in Pandarakulam since ancient times. It is said that St. Francis Xavier and St. John de Britto visited the village in 1543 and 1685, respectively, to venerate the cross. In the 1920s, under the leadership of Thommaya Nadar, the community built the current St. Thomas Church, which was completed in 1927. The Thomas Cross was set apart, and a new shrine was constructed in its honor.

The church was later affiliated with the Kizhavineri branch, and the annual St. Thomas feast, initially celebrated in September, was moved to July 3rd. The Feast of the Cross is now celebrated on September 14th, and the church has hosted significant celebrations, including the Golden Jubilee in 1978 and the Pearl Jubilee in 2002. The Thomas Cross was installed in a newly built structure to the north of the church.

Current Status

As of today, the St. Thomas Church in Pandarakulam remains an important religious site, serving as a branch of the Anaikulam parish. Despite the challenges faced by the agricultural community due to drought and other factors, the village has maintained its cultural and religious identity.

The population of Pandarakulam is highly educated, with nearly 99% of the residents having received formal education. The village has a primary school, a fair price shop, and a cooperative bank. While many villagers have migrated abroad for work, approximately 100 families still reside in the village. The rice-based snack "Kaichu Arisi Murukku" is famous in the region, and the village is well-connected by bus to Valliyoor and Madappuram.