Navakandam is the act of sacrificing oneself by cutting nine veins or nine body parts in one’s body. This practice of sacrificing oneself existed in Tamil Nadu from the 11th to the 13th century. Generally, one sacrifices oneself to the goddess Kotravai. This Navakandam sacrifice is mentioned in temple inscriptions, Silappadhikaram, Kalingathup Bharani, and Takkayakap Bharani […]