The Maruthu Pandya brothers (named Periya Marudhu, born 1748 and Chinna Marudhu, born 1753) were chieftains of the Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu, South India, towards the end of the 18th century. They were known for fighting against the invading Britishers. They were most ruthlessly hung by the British for trying to protect the region.
The annual Guru Puja festival for Guru Maha Sannidhanam Sri Tiru Jnanasambandar the reviver of Madurai Aadheenam in the 7th century, happens during the peak of the Vedic star “Moola” in the Vedic month of “Vaikasi” every year.
The Utsava murthy (procession deity) of Sri Tiru Jnanasambandar at the Meenakshi Amman temple is placed in a silver chariot for the annual procession to pass through the four Avani Moola streets around the temple till the chariot reaches the entrance of Madurai Adheenam where the “Tirukkann” ritual is performed every year. The silver chariot was arranged exclusively by the Maruthu Pandiya brothers exquisitely designed and dedicated to Tiru Jnanasambandar. This silver chariot is kept secured in a lofty place chariot house in the Meenakshi Amman temple and is traditionally taken out every year only for this festival.
