Every year in Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, the Venkudai festival, also called the White Umbrella festival, is celebrated to honour Indra Vila. This festival celebrates the Chaitra month and symbolises the white umbrella and Indra’s Airavat. It’s renowned for its historical importance.
During the first day of Chaitra month, locals from Rajapalayam carry white umbrellas to the nearby Ayyanar Temple to worship Ayyanar. Later in the evening, they return to Rajapalayam in a procession. A key highlight of the festival is a person adorned in a white vest and shirt, leading the procession with a white umbrella.
The significance of the umbrella festival is its strong historical ties to the Pandya Kings. Following their loss of Madurai to the Nayaks, the Pandya rulers sought sanctuary in Tenkasi and governed from there, earning the title of Tenkasi Pandyas in historical records. Subsequently, the Nayaka kings launched a military campaign to defeat Tenkasi Pandyas. This led to the Pandya dynasty winning the battle.
The umbrella festival is thought to honour this victory. Traditionally, it’s customary to honour the clan deity before heading into battle. So, in remembrance of past victories, people first worship the clan deity Neerkatha Ayyanar. Then, in the evening, a procession with a Neerkatha Ayyanar horse is held, dressed in white attire, to celebrate the victory.
The Venkudai festival, a tradition deeply rooted in the Rajapalayam area, celebrated its 337th edition this year.
Indra Vila, or Indra Vizha, was a Hindu festival observed in Tamilakam during the Sangam era (2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE). It paid homage to Vendhan (Indra), the deity associated with the Marutham landscape.
The agricultural festival of Indra Vila is closely connected to Bhogi Pongal, a day dedicated to Indra, and it keeps alive all aspects of the seasonal celebration. Locally, Indra Vila is celebrated each year at the Kamatchi Amman temple in the Kallimadai area near Singanallur, Coimbatore. Additionally, the Venkudai (White Umbrella) festival, depicting the white umbrella and Indra’s Airavat, is held annually in Rajapalayam, in honour of the ancient Indra Vila.
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