Ancient Tamil Festivals in Ettuthogai Literature

Abstract

The purpose of conducting festivals is to bring joy, growth and rejuvenation to people's lives by removing fatigue, bringing the human race together and imbuing them with happiness. They appear on the basis of rituals and are influenced by social beliefs and are prevailing among the people. Festivals are a unified set of rituals that are fundamental to a festival. Festivals are celebrated on the basis of faith. There are many Tamil words used by ancient Tamil people to denote festival. Literary evidence suggests that in ancient times festivals were celebrated in Chittoor and Peroor. Festivals were celebrated in the morning and evening. The festivals lasted for several days. The renewed water festival is held in the morning and Kartikai festival in the evening. The ceremonies performed are started on an auspicious day and at an auspicious time. Festivals known through ancirnt Tamil literature can be divided into two categories, festivals related to deities and non-god festivals, such as Panguni Festival, Paavai Festival, and Onam festival, Kaman Festival, Karthikai Festival, Indra Festival, Birthday Festival, Punalatu Festival, Poonthotta Festival, Ulli Festival, Thiruvadhirai Festival, and Sirusotru Festival and so on.