Where is Vedanta Desikhar Mattam in Tamil Nadu which was shown in Kamal Haasan’s movie Daswatharam?

 Srimath Vedantha Desikar is a Guru of Vaishnavites (Aacharyan) - especially the Vadakalai sect.

Sorry your question mixing the film of that ill-famous womanizer Malahasan somewhat hurts. Any way since you have asked the question, I am bound to answer.

First let us know about Vedanta Desikar here:

Vedanta Desika (1268–1369 CE),

born as Venkatanatha, was a prominent South Indian polymath, philosopher, and foundational Sri Vaishnava guru of the Vishishtadvaita tradition

. He authored extensive works in Sanskrit, Tamil, Manipravalam, and Prakrit, and is regarded as a key leader of the Vadakalai subsect.

Are there Mutts in the name of Vedantha Desikar in South India?

Yes, major monastic institutions rooted in the lineage of Sri Vedanta Desika exist in South India, most notably the Parakaala Mutt, which was founded by his direct disciple. Parakala.

Key Institutions and Centers If you'd like, I can provide: Specific addresses for the branches in Mysuru, Bengaluru, or Chennai

Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swami Mutt (Parakala Matha): Founded around 1338 CE by Sri Periya Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar, a chief disciple of Swami Vedanta Desika. Its historical headquarters are located in Mysuru, Karnataka, with key branches in Bengaluru (Karnataka), Srirangam and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), and Hyderabad (Telangana).

The biggest Parakala Mutt at Mysore - one thousand years old - they say!

Swami Vedanta Desikan Thirumaligai (Srirangam): A historic center and dwelling place associated with Swami Vedanta Desika located in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu.

Thoopul Desikan Sannidhi Mutt: Located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, marking the birthplace and sacred ground linked to Vedanta Desika's tradition.

Normally in all Vishnu Temples, there will be a “Sannadhi” - place of worship for Desikar. Mostly Temples, which follow “Vadakalai Sampradhaya” will surely have it.

Talking of Vedanta Desikar, there is a Varadharajar temple at Sathyagala, near Kollegal, Karnataka - where Swami Desikan stayed for 12 years and immersed in “Penance”. There is a separate Sannadhi for Desikar with “Nithya Poojas” being conducted.

Every year the Birth Star (Thirunatchathram) festival is celebrated in this small, but very peaceful temple - where you can sit and “pray” the Almighty with Peace - one-to-one!

Vadakalai Vaishnavites end their daily Pooja rituals with a stanza ending “Vedantha Desikaney - Innum Ore Noortaandirum! (Live for one more century) !

Photos courtesy: online sites

Which God has more devotees in Tamil Nadu?

 

Tamil kadavul (God) Murugan. Lord Muruga is synonymous with Tamil people. As per Tamil Kanda Puranam, in his life story Murugan marries the tribal princess Valli. This union is known as the Valli Thirumanam. The marriage symbolizes Bhakti (unwavering devotion), demonstrating that God can be reached through pure love and devotion.

The annual festival Thaipusam at the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Tamil Nadu is attended by millions of devotees. Murugan is almost always depicted with a warm, smiling, child-like face and this makes him exceptionally popular with children. Many people (including me) grow up liking Murugan and remain devoted to Him throughout their life.

Saint Avvaiyar sang His praises. Murugan appeared as a shepherd boy sitting on a branch of a Jamun tree. He asked Avvaiyar, “Do you want fruit that is hot (Sutta Pazham) or not hot (Sudaatha Pazham)?” Avvaiyar asked for “not hot fruit”, how can fruits be hot. The boy shook the tree and fruits fell into the sand. Avvaiyar picked up the fruits and started blowing on them to remove the sand. Smiling, the boy asked Avvaiyar “Are the fruits so hot that you need to blow on them to cool them down?". Humbled by this, Avvaiyar realized the boy was the divine Murugan.

Arunagirinathar enshrined Murugan with his devotional Thiruppugazh songs.They are mainly temple specific hymns. Below is my favourite Thiruppugazh in Tamil with the English translation below the Tamil verses. I learnt to sing this song when I was 5 years old. The song describes the beauty and purpose of the six faces of Lord Murugan.

What are the major cultural differences between Tamil Nadu and Kerala?

 I have been living in Kochi, Kerala for the past 6 months and I guess I can try my level best to point out the major differences in this region.

Backstory: Basically I hail from Pondicherry, One of the UT in India. And I'm basically a pure Tamil to start off.

Disclaimer: The list is going to be long. Hence, brace yourself.

So, here goes my long list of differences that I found out in Kerala compared to the place where I come from.

1. Almost every single house in my region have roofs on their top with connecting pipelines that collect rain water and lead straight to the reservoir or to a well below. Yes, I find these people very conservative of nature (The government has also implemented this to the extent that people actually follow it). People from Tamil nadu are least bothered about nature. Very few people actually do rainwater harvesting.

2. Kerala is filled with so much nature that it would literally ooze and relish with greenery everywhere whereas, in my place the trees and plants are not very dense as in Kerala. No wonder why they call it as God's Own Country.

3. In Kerala, majority of the people are Muslims and Christians whereas in Tamil Nadu Hindus are in majority.

4. People are not so social in Kerala( I don't know but that is what I felt in the area where I live). I didn't find many people who come out of their houses and interact with others. The doors(even the windows) of all houses are mostly closed. In Tamil nadu, people welcome and treat their neighbours just like their neighbours.

5. Temples in Kerala all have a roof over them. Sometimes it becomes difficult to distinguish between a house and a temple. In Tamil nadu, the temples have great architecture engraved into it with lots of idols and scriptures.

6. People from Kerala know Tamil and Hindi apart their language. So, it's easy for them to converse with everybody. People from Tamil nadu find it very hard to adapt to the language changes if they are moving out of Tamil nadu(That is how I felt during the initial days. Now I'm learning their language :) ).

7. Food ! (This list is going to be very lengthy)

Briyani (Thalappakatti) from Tamilnadu is so much enriched with the spices and masala that you could literally taste it in your first bite. In Kerala, it is Thalassery briyani which I actually don't find it quite interesting(No offense, but it feels like jeera rice with gravy inside it).

Kadala(Channa) curry everywhere ! (And I definitely love the kadala curry from Kerala)

Puttu is eaten as breakfast and dinner in Kerala. In Tamilnadu, puttu is actually a snack.

Kerala parotta has a certain essence to it. I have never eaten such soft and tastty parottas in my life (Maybe I haven't travelled much to know) .

Every dish is made out of coconut oil in Kerala. (That explains why these people have smooth and shining skin)

This is just my point of view from what I have seen so far. Contradictions can exist. But it doesn't mean that I'm showing hatred or being unfair to any of them. I'm just sharing my experiences from both places.

What are famous things about Tamil Nadu?

 Well, thats a nice question, but since without being particularly specific about what field it is being asked about,

Let me take you on a 5 min trip through out Tamil Nadu.

I may not bring everything inside this answer, but consider this my opinion.

Lets go through the cities,

CHENNAI

Being the capital, it has a lot of things, but Marina always come the first.

Next comes a city, which itself is so beautiful, and the most liked city.

COIMBATORE

TRICHY

The most peaceful city, and yeah - INDIA’S 2nd CLEANEST CITY, and the house of THE ROCKFORT

MADURAI - With alot to explore

THANJAVUR - With the Architecture

HOSUR - The Industrial Hub

THIRUNELVELI at the South

The Salt Godown of India - TUTICORIN

The beautiful KANYAKUMARI at the End

The cool KODAIKANAL

Competing with another Cool hub, OOTY

Not to forget, another cool hub YERCAUD

Not to forget, but sadly also not so famous!

The VERY BEAUTIFUL THENI,

MASINAGUDI

KOLLI HILLS

Now lets get into the FOOD!

The best in the world!

IDLI SAMBAR

GHEE ROASTS

PURE VEG MEALS

PURE NON VEG MEALS

BAROTTAAAA!

And a lots more…

CULTURE

TAKING PROUD IN OUR JALLIKATTU

THE HARD WORKING EFFORTS MIXED WITH TRUE DROPS OF SWEAT AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL LANDS - OUR FARMERS AND THE LANDS.

The Epic Art - Dance Form - BHARATANATYAM

The unique and very beautiful Festival - PONGAL!

The Manly Mustache - MEESAI!

I dont wanna put up a celebrity pic, favoring one. But it would actually look like this! And when its twirled we feel heavy vibes of courage!

And we have another thing celebrated here,

Love for CSK! - Where fans get their excitement to their nerves. Whistle Podu ;)

And when it come to personalities,

We have our Superstar - Rajinikanth

And the Real Rockstar - AR RAHMAN

Not to forget, THE REAL STARS OF TAMIL NADU - STUDENTS! Those who shook the World just by their presence!

And I would like to end with this personality,

ZERO HATERS, ZERO CONTOVERSIES, ZERO HATRED, ZERO CORRUPTION, THE BEST EXAMPLE OF PATRIOTISM

Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM.

Hope you liked this short trip, tried my best.