The Importance of “Uriyadi” in the Worship of God

Abstract

Folk arts are divided into three categories: social, religious, and professional. Moreover, professional arts are subject to the distinction between professional and non-professional arts. Among the above classifications, 'Uriyadi' falls under the category of religious arts. In Vaishnava shrines, the Uriyadi Utsav festival is celebrated every year for 11 days, starting from the chanting of Gayatri Mantras the day after the full moon (Pournarmi) in the Tamil month of Aavani, to the day after Gokulashtami. It will happen on the tenth day. Sri Rukmani's wedding will take place the next day. The Uriyadi festival is celebrated grandly at Varagur, near Thirukattupalli, in the Thanjavur district. The 'Uriyadi' festival is celebrated in every Vaishnava shrine to commemorate the playful activities of Sri Krishna, who stole Navaneetham (butter). "Uri" is a mat threaded with thin bamboo sticks, rolled up, and placed inside it, with a fresh earthen pot inside which snacks are tied tightly like a long drum and hung on one end of the bamboo Uri. The rope tied to the other end of the bamboo is arranged in such a way that when a person pulls it downwards, the rope goes upwards, and when he loosens the rope, the Uri goes downwards. Uriyadi is the process of beating the earthen pot, thus arranging and picking up the snacks from it. ‘Uri’ and ‘Climbing Greasy Pole’ are not just games. These are Sri Krishna's acts, and he has philosophies behind them. Uriyadi is performed to attain moksha or bliss (to acquire and attain perfect knowledge).