Devendrakula Velalar
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tamil people |
Devendrakula Velalar is an agricultural caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They traditionally inhabited the fertile wetland area referred to as Marutham in the literary devices of the Sangam landscape. It has seven subcastes such as Devendrakulathar, Kalladi, Kudumbar, Pallar, Pannadi, Kadaiyar and Vathiriyar. [1][2]
History & Temple festivals
Devendrakula Velalars means descendants of Lord Indra (god of rain) and traditionally involved as agriculturists.
Temple festivals
The Devendrakula Velalar community traditionally celebrate and initiate the temple car festivals at various major historic temples, such as;
- Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore[3]
- Koniamman Temple, Coimbatore[4]
- Srivilliputhur Andal temple, Tirunelveli[5][6]
- Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli
- Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Madurai[7]
- Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple, Thenthiruperai[8]
Decorated flower palanquin at Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram.[9]
Seedling planting festival
Apart from the temple car initiation at the Perur Pateeswarar Temple, the Seedling Planting festival (Tamil: நாற்று நடவு திருவிழா) has been celebrated by the community along the banks of Noyyal River. The festival is conducted in the month of Aani. The ritual forms a part of Indra festival. The festival has its reference from the "Perur Puranam" by Kachiappa Munivar.[10][11]
Indra Vizha
Indra Vizha (Tamil: இந்திர விழா), was a historical Hindu festival that was celebrated in Tamilakam during the Sangam period (2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE). It was celebrated in honour of Vendhan (Indra), the deity associated with the Marutham landscape.[12] In the contemporary period, the festivities associated with the agricultural Indra Vila are primarily associated with the occasion of Bhogi Pongal, the day dedicated to Indra, and preserving all the elements of the seasonal festival.[13][14] Locally, the Indra Vila is conducted at the Kamatchi Amman temple at the Kallimadai locality near Singanallur in Coimbatore every year.[15] The Venkudai (White umbrella) festival, depicting the white umbrella and the Airavata of Indra, is conducted every year at Rajapalayam, in commemoration of the ancient Indra Vila.[16]
Politics
The Devendrakula Velalar, Mutharaiyar and Brahmin play a major role in Srirangam Assembly constituency, as a majority of voters are from these communities.[17]
Notable people
- Veeran Sundaralinga Kudumbanar, 18th century general and Freedom Fighter
- Periya Kaladi, 17th century general and Freedom Fighter
- M. Arunachalam, Former Union Minister of India
References
- ↑ "President gives assent to Devendrakula Velalar Act". The Hindu. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha passes bill to place seven castes under Devendrakula Velalars in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "Temple Car Festival at Perur Pateeswarar Temple in Coimbatore". Maalai Malar. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ↑ "Temple Car Festival at Koniamman Temple in Coimbatore". Lokal App. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ↑ "Andal car festival-2022". Vikatan News. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ↑ "Andal car festival-2022". Kotravai News. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ↑ "Grandeur marks float fest in Madurai". Times Of India. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ "Thenthiruperai car festival-2022". Maalaimalar. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ↑ "BrahmotsavamFestival". Dinakaran. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "பேரூர்ப்புராணம் - பகுதி-3 - கச்சியப்ப முனிவர்" (in Tamil). Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ↑ "Ani Utsava sapling planting festival 2023". Daily Thanthi. Coimbatore. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ RAMANUJAN, S. R. (13 August 2014). THE LORD OF VENGADAM. PartridgeIndia. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4828-3462-8.
- ↑ Studies, Faculty of Oriental. Neolithic Cattle-Keepers of South India. CUP Archive. p. 133.
- ↑ Garrett, John (9 November 2022). A Classical Dictionary of India. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 458. ISBN 978-3-368-13131-9.
- ↑ "Kallimadai Indra Festival". Dinamalar. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ↑ "White Umbrella festival". Dinamani. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ↑ Madala, Jayakumar (3 March 2021). "Why both AIADMK and BJP want Srirangam". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 August 2026.