| Indra Vila | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Indra Vila |
| Also called | Indra Vizha |
| Observed by | AtTamils,Cholas,Pandyas |
| Type | Religious, Agricultural |
| Significance | Festival honoringIndra, deity of rain and harvest |
| Celebrations | Processions, drum ceremonies, state festivities |
| Observances | Rain prayers, agricultural rituals |
| Date | Month ofChaitra (historical) |
| Duration | 27 days (historical) |
| Frequency | Annual (historical) |
| Related to | Bhogi,Pongal |
Indra Vila[1][2] (Tamil:இந்திர விழா,romanized: Indra Viḻā,lit. 'Festival of Indra'),[3] sometimes renderedIndra Vizha, was a historicalHindu festival that was celebrated inTamilakam during theSangam period (2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE). It was celebrated in honour of Vendhan (Indra),[4] the deity associated with theMarutham landscape.
TheCholas celebrated the festival atKaveripattinam, whereas thePandyas celebrated the festival atMadurai.[5] The festival is mentioned in the ancient Tamil epics ofCilappatikaram[6] andManimekalai.[7] During the reign of theCholas and thePandyas, it was celebrated as a state festival, recognised and conducted by these royal regimes.[8][9] Both of these epics state that the festival of Indra was celebrated with great pomp at Kaveripattinam by the Chola king, called the, "festival of the thousand-eyed one". The commencement of the festival, called the Vila Kalkol, was proclaimed by the beat of drums, placed on the back on an elephant.[10]
According toManimekalai, the legendary sage,Agastya, helped the people ofKaveripattinam during a period of drought. He advised the Chola king, Todittol Sembian, to celebrate a festival for Indra to please him, so that the deity may bring rain to this city. Heeding this counsel, the king arranged a big festival for Indra. In return, they received rainfall in the city, and the prosperity associated with it, and hence his successors continued to celebrate this festival every year, for 27 days during the month ofChaitra. According to another legend, once, aChola king named Nedumkilli could not celebrate the Indra Vila festival. As a consequence to this, the wrath of the deity fell on the kingdom and the king: The sea engulfed the famous port city ofKaveripattinam, and all the inhabitants of the city suffered.[11]
In the contemporary period, the festivities associated with the agricultural Indra Vila are primarily associated with the occasion ofBhogi Pongal, the day dedicated to Indra, and preserving all the elements of the seasonal festival.[12][13] Locally, the Indra Vila is conducted at theKamatchi Amman temple at the Kallimadai locality nearSinganallur inCoimbatore every year.[14] The Venkudai (White umbrella) festival, depicting the white umbrella and theAiravata ofIndra, is conducted every year atRajapalayam, in commemoration of the ancient Indra Vila.[15]
The Seedling planting festival has been celebrated by the farming community along the banks ofNoyyal River. The festival is conducted in the month ofAani. The ritual forms a part ofIndra festival. The festival has its reference from the "Perur Puranam" by Kachiappa Munivar.[16][17]