#Onam @TIinExile @punarutthana @ReclaimTemples As Onam is celebrated today with pomp and glory, let me add a thread on how ancient Tamil Sangam literature refers it. In the Sangam period, Thiruvonam or Onam was celebrated across south India.
Only two festivals have a speciality of starting with ‘Thiru’. Thiru is the tamil equivalent of ‘Sri’ in Sanskrit. Thiruvadhirai for Lord Nataraja and Thiruvonam for Lord MahaVishnu as Trivikrama.
Thiruvonam in short form Onam is closely related to Thirukkakarai in northern Travancore. It is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Kshetrams as extolled by Azhwars. The Lord here is the form of Vamana Avatara and hence this kshetra is called Vomanakshetram.
The name Thiruvonam is a derived form of Thiruvamana represents Vanama avatara. In Madurai-K-kanji, a sangam literature work written by Mangudi Marudhanar says ‘Avunarkadandha Mayon meya Ona nallal’
This means ‘On sacred Onam day, Mayon/Vishnu advents to defeat asuras’.
Periyazhwar, the foremost of Vaishnava saints of south India refers this festival in Nalayira Divya Prabandham extols “Oh Lord, Thiruvonam is seventh day from today. I have begun festivities with Pallandu songs sung by damsels with melodious voices. The delicacies with -contd”
rice, ghee and fruits are being prepared. Do not go away as usual for grazing cattle to the jungle from tomorrow. Remain at home”
Excerpts taken from ‘Some aspects of Kerala and Tamil literature” lectures by Rao Sahib M. Raghava Aiyangar.
In olden times, Thiruvonam is also closely associated with Sri Ulagalandha Perumal/ Trivikramar of Tirukovilur near Thiruvannamalai in TN.
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