Nadi astrology, also known as palm leaf reading, has its roots in ancient times, dating back thousands of years. According to legend, Indian sages or Rishis used their intuitive powers to record the life patterns of individuals on palm leaves. These extraordinary leaves were originally housed in the temple library until those with a keen interest in naadi astrology acquired them. This traditional practice has been passed down through generations.
Vaitheeswarankoil, located near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, is considered the primary hub for nadi astrology. It is believed that Lord Shiva, in the form of a ‘Vaidhya’ or ‘Doctor’, alleviated the sufferings of his followers here. The ancient palm leaf manuscripts were initially inscribed on animal skins and other leaves, but later transcriptions were made on palm leaves and preserved using oil derived from peacock’s blood.