Nadi astrology, originating from ancient palm leaves, has its roots in Vedic times. This sacred text was initially written by St. Augustine under divine inspiration, with significant contributions from the sage Agastya and his wife Lopamudra. Their work laid the foundation for Nadi astrology, which flourished especially around the Vaithisvara Koil temple in Tamil Nadu.
During the Chola dynasty, from 848 AD, Nadi leaves were meticulously divided and preserved in the Saraswati Mahal. In the 13th century, the district king Serofji discovered these scattered leaves around the Vaithiswara Koil temple and ordered their preservation, ensuring their safety during the Chola period.
Despite the threat of destruction during the rise of the Mughal Empire, dedicated Brahmins managed to safeguard these precious documents. The Maratha rule in Tamil Nadu, established by His Highness Venkoji Maharaj in 1676 with Tanjore as the capital, continued to protect and honor Nadi Shastra. However, under British rule, many Nadi leaves were sold and traded, with some families turning their focus to medicine, herbs, and alchemy.
Through all these challenges, the Vaithiwara Koil temple remained a central hub for Nadi astrology. The temple's famous name is steeped in mythological belief, and the tradition of Nadi reading is said to be a divine dialogue between Shiva and Parvati, known as "Shivanadi Jyotisham".
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