#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.
A thread on Sastha/Ayyanar worship. Do read.
Since time immemorial, Sastha worship has been prevalent across the globe. Sastha is widely worshipped as Ayyanar/Chathan in TN & Kerala with Shri Ayyappan of Sabarimalai as Dharma Sastha, one of the eight incarnations of Sastha. (1/n)
Sastha refers to teacher/ruler/respectful one while Ayyanar derived from Ayyan, which literally means the same. Ayyanar/Chathan references can be found in ancient Tamizh literary works Puranananooru, Silapathikaram with Kanda puranam calling him "son of Shiva". (2/n)
Puranas refers him as the 'protector of Vedas' and he is depicted with his two consorts Poorna and Pushkala. Inscriptions suggest Chera, Chola Pandyas and Pallavas worshipped Sastha for annihilation of enemies and prosperity. (3/n)
Do you know there is another Navapashana Murugan installed by Bhogar, one of the 18 siddhars? Yes, It's in Poomparai, 19 kms from Kodaikanal.
I was fortunate to visit Kuzhandai Velappar temple at Poomparai that contains the Navapashana Murugan as its presiding deity. #KodaiTales
Located at the centre of this picturesque hilly village, this ancient temple possibly more than 2000 year old was built by Chera King.
Few centuries back, Arunagiri nadhar stayed here and extolled Poomparai Murugan with a Thirupugazh.
Assuming the form of a child (Kuzhandai), Lord Murugan saved him from a Rakshasi. Hence the Lord here assumed the name, Kuzhandai Velappar.
Skanda/Kandan worship was once prevalent across geographies but now mostly restricted to southern India, Malaysia etc. Let's see some ancient skanda iconography. 1. Khmer Kandan - 7th CE- Kdei Ang Temple, Kampuchea 2. Skanda - 2nd CE - Gandhara, Afghanistan
3. Skanda - coin of Yaudheya - 1st CE - Punjab 4. Karthikeya - Gupta Period - 5th CE
5. Skanda - Kannuaj - medieval 6. Skanda - 9th CE - Central India 7. Karthikeya - 9th or 10th CE - Central India
Massive 6 ft Shivalingam unearthed at Arasampalayam in Karur dt, TN near the sangam of Amaravathy & Kudakunaaru rivers. Happened on Diwali day. It seems the land owner received divine direction in his dream to unearth after few dharmics approached him. Check this thread for pics.
Aap Chronology Samajhiye.. 1. 300 kg heroin, 5 AK-47 rifles & 1,000 live rounds of 9mm ammunition seized off the coast of Vizhinjam, Kerala in March 2021.
2. Suresh Rajan, a Sri Lankan, arrested in August 2021 from Angamaly, Kerala linked to Pakistani drug lord, Haji Salim.
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3. 5 Srilankans arrested in Chennai near Porur, in March 2022 with fake passports.Check the names Mary Jensika, Reginold, Mary Sanchika
4. Annamalai exposes fake passport scam involving Srilankans in 12-13 July 2022;ADGP Intelligence David Devaseervatham directly implicit
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5. NIA raids Trichy special camp for Sri Lankan refugees today (20th July 2022) with several incriminating evidence seized. Raids are going on in places around Chennai
6. Annamalai flies to Delhi to meet @HMOIndia to discuss on this matter
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