Tamil Nadu's beloved elephant Akhila turns 23, celebrated with traditional rituals
Born in 2002, Akhila was brought to the temple in 2011 during the tenure of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to assist in temple rituals and ceremonies. Since then, she has been an integral part of the temple's daily activities.
To mark her birthday, the temple authorities organised a special celebration in the temple garden.
Akhila was decorated and brought in ceremoniously. Priests performed special poojas for her, and the celebration was attended by mahouts, temple staff, priests, and a large number of devotees.
Also Read | Why Karnataka handed over Kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh? A step to curb rising human-elephant conflicts
Devotees sang birthday wishes in unison and offered Akhila a feast consisting of fruits, vegetables, jaggery sweets, and traditional delicacies like kozhukattai.
Additionally, earlier today, in a vibrant display of tradition and devotion, people from different adjoining villages gathered at the Kallandhiri village near Melur to celebrate the centuries-old fishing festival.
According to the rituals, the fish caught by the villagers are offered to the deity for better harvest and health. The festival is celebrated every year with the onset of the summer season.
Also Read | Grieving mother elephant refuses to budge, stands for hours by her calf killed by truck in Malaysia
Meanwhile, as part of the annual festival of Sri Pidari Amman Temple in Thiruvarankulam near Pudukkottai, a spectacular Jallikattu event was organised on Friday, drawing massive crowds and enthusiastic participants.
The event saw the participation of 750 bulls and 300 tamers from various districts across Tamil Nadu. The event, held with great fervor, showcased the bravery and skill of the participants as they attempted to hold on to the humps of the charging bulls. The spectators cheered loudly as the bulls, adorned with colourful decorations, displayed their strength and agility.
Jallikattu, a symbol of Tamil heritage, continues to be a major attraction during the Pongal season and temple festivals.
Elephants lovingly shield caretaker from rain in viral video: 'Don't worry, everything will be okay'
The bull-taming event is an ancient sport played as part of the harvest festival, Pongal, in several parts of Tamil Nadu. It is a traditional event in which a bull is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back to tame it.
In January this year, the world-renowned three-day Jallikattu event in Tamil Nadu's Madurai kicked off with Avaniyapuram village holding its first-day event, which features 1,100 bulls and 900 bull-tamers.
The best bull was awarded a tractor worth ₹11 lakhs, while the best bull-tamer received a car worth ₹8 lakhs, alongside other prizes. The other two Jallikattu events in Madurai were held at Palamedu and Alanganallur.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Award-winning teacher EC Sabu on teaching Malayalam to other language speakers for 35 years
Every Sunday, students from across the country, also a couple of them from Nigeria, eagerly await a WhatsApp alert. Like clockwork, the message pings at 11am, and a virtual classroom transports them to the backwaters of Kerala as E C Sabu, an award-winning teacher introduces them to Malayalam words like vallamkali, vanchipaatu, and kaayal. As the third batch of Amrutham Malayalam, a seven-month online Malayalam course offered by the World Malayalee Council, Coimbatore Province begins, Sabu says, 'Our students are a mixed group of professors, doctors, retirees, school children, and teachers who speak Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu or any language. It's a big thrill for them to read name boards in Malayalam while travelling in Kerala.' An award-winning teacher, Sabu served as vice-principal, later as principal of CMS Higher Secondary School before retiring from active teaching this May. 'I wanted to be a journalist but ended up becoming a Malayalam PG Assistant in 1990 at CMS School. My first batch of class XII students are over 52 years old now,' he says as he reflects upon his 35-year journey in teaching. Around the same time, he also became a part of Coimbatore Malayalee Samajam's seven-month certificate course that opened its doors to learning Malayalam for non-native speakers. 'The course is on its way to set a record as the longest running course in any regional language. Kerala's State Resource Centre (under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India) was our sponsor for three decades. Now, with World Malayalee Council's online course for the last three years, the reach has been immense.' In the 1990s, Tamil speakers enrolled in large numbers, especially students of MA Tamil in Bharathiar University, he recalls. Poet Sirpi Balasubramaniam who headed the Tamil department made it mandatory for students to clear a paper in Malayalam. 'Once, 14 Tamil PhD students from the University joined the course and scored cent percent marks in Malayalam exams at the end of the course. They are all now HoDs of Tamil in various colleges, like Dr Uma Maheswari at Government College in Chittoor, Kerala and others at Government College, Ooty and Maharaja College, Erode,' he reminisces, adding that the course is a melting pot of cultures giving rise to new friendships. Sabu's teaching method begins with easy letters before moving on to forms, sentences, grammar, translation, and spoken language. Every year, a number of non-native speakers attend to understand Kerala's art and culture, its landscape, people and literature. Over the last three decades, the certificate course evolved as a literary movement. One of the students translated celebrated Malayalam writer Vaikom Mohammed Basheer's works in Tamil. Another PhD student who joined the course while doing her study on comparative literature on the works of Tamil writer Nanjil Nadan and Malayalam writer CV Balakrishnan turned author with a translation of Malayalam short stories. Sabu who has received a number of awards — Ezhuthani Award, Panditha Sresta Award and Krishna Mangad Cherukatha Award (for his short story) — cant's stop talking about his students. 'The hard work and dedication of my students keeps me going. In the current batch, we have Dorothy, a Bengali who has beautifully picked up the nuances and speaks impeccable Malayalam now. Cardiologist Dr Matheswaran has started conversing with his patients from Kerala. Some join the course because their neighbours are from Kerala or if they are employed in firms run by Malayalees. Then, there are polyglots who join for the sheer love of languages. One of the students Dr Viswaroop is a native Telugu speaker, but also knows Kannada, Tamil and now Malayalam.' While teaching, his social outings come to a standstill. 'I have to thank my wife, K Chitra, a retired Hindi professor, my daughter S Lakshmipriya, my son-in-law J Murali Krishnan, my grand daughter Parvathi Krishna for being supportive. I feel charged when I am with my students. They understand what keeps me motivated,' he says adding that his high schooling at NSS High School at Pala in Kerala drew him closer to the language. 'Especially my Malayalam teachers like Raghavan Nair and Velu Pillai who introduced me to the nuances. It was a turning point in my journey. Later in college, the first batch of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, our vice-chancellor was U R Ananthamurthy, Gnanapith award winner.' Teaching Malayalam to a mixed group has become a part of his life, says Sabu. 'Learning a new language is not just about letters. It's an introduction to culture, geography, lifestyle. We highlight all these in the classes to make it engaging and alive. Based on my experience, I know the challenges faced by students in learning a new language, so my methodology takes into account these aspects. While joining the course, the question on everyone's mind is 'Is it possible to master a language in seven months?' But once I see the progress, I feel overjoyed.' As for his future plans, he wants to move back to his hometown Pala in Kerala and start farming. 'I have built a house there and we have already planted jackfruit, mango, and pepper. But, the online classes will continue without any break,' he says, adding, 'There is no full stop to learning.' To know more on the upcoming batches of online Malayalam classes, call 9486477891/ 6380701846
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
You've Heard The Name Coimbatore A Million Times — But Do You Know Its Origin?
Located at the base of the Western Ghats is Coimbatore which is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore is known to be one of the most industrious cities in Tamil Nadu and even gets the title of 'Manchester of South India'. Apart from textiles, Coimbatore is also an educational, healthcare, and cultural center. Its significance today, however, is just a fraction of its value in the past. There are many interesting historical aspects tied to the city's namesake. The legacy of Coimbatore is a perfect blend of mythology, geography, and ancient rulers which gives us a mythical story of Coimbatore's etymology. Ancient Roots of Coimbatore From the years of 300 BCE to 300 CE, there existed a period that is coined as the Sangam era. This was an era that is famous for its literature and culture and is believed to have taken birth in the Tamil region. This area during that time was a part of the Tamil country and was divided into territories, one of them being Kongu Nadu. Kongu Nadu was popular for having strategic fertile lands combined with trade which is why it became a sought after region for many dynasties like the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. The name Coimbatore appears to have developed over time with the influence of its geography, rulers, and cultural practices. There are several theories regarding the name's origin. However, the most popular one is in relation to the goddess of the region and an eminent chieftain. Kovan and the Birth of the Name One of the most followed theories concerning the name Coimbatore is associated with the goddess Kovan or Kovai Amman. As per the local story, there was a time in history when this region was ruled by a chieftain by the name Kovan. He was an ardent devotee of the goddess which led him to give the name 'Kovaipudur' which means 'the town of Kovan' to the area he ruled. With time, the name got abbreviated to 'Kovai', a term still used by the local populace to address Coimbatore. The addition of the suffix '-puthur,' which means 'new settlement,' shows that there might have been a new settlement established during the period of Kovan's rule. Therefore, it is very likely that Coimbatore was put under Kovan's region at some point. As the region grew in importance, it is likely that the term 'Kovai' became associated with the city and then afterwards it was changed to 'Coimbatore' during the British colonization of the region. Significance of the Kongu Region Other scholars associate Coimbatore's name origins with Kongu's historical importance. Coimbatore and the clusters which surround it like Kocatur, Palladam, and Tiruppurj formed a prosperous region called KonguNadu that thrived on agriculture and trade, along with crafts and industry. It is believed that the word 'Kongu' comes from the Tamil 'Kangu,' which translates as border, referring to the edges of the ancient Tamil kingdoms. 'The land of Kongu chiefs' is what one of the etymological reasons suggest might be the origin of Coimbatore, derived from 'Kongu Vela Nadu'. During the Sangam period the region was controlled by a number of 'Kongu Velirs' chiefs. It is likely that over time 'Kongu Vela Nadu' was shortened to 'Kovai,' and eventually evolved to 'Coimbatore.' British Connection The Colonial British period also seems to have influenced the modernization of the city, including the name. The East India Company, after its establishment in South India, began changing local names for easier pronunciation and management. 'Kovai' was changed to 'Coimbatore,' with the British properly accepting its significance. Due to the city's positioning on trade routes between Malabar Coast and Deccan Plateau the city began to grow in its urban significance with trade further solidifying its importance to the British. Evolution Over the Centuries Residing in between its new roots as a growth point on the Nobility name bearing 'Kongu Nadu' lies the old modern day Coimbatore. The modern day citizens of the city are able to adapt to new ways while managing to preserve their heritage and that gives the city its proof for current day's construction alongside the past. Conclusion The components complete the enigma on why Coimbatore is renowned and this is due to its attachment to the land as well as the people. The myth about the creation of the word Coimbatore from the Goddess Kovan, or the Kongu Velirs, or even from the British seems to have some truth in it as it suggests Coimbatore is a city that has valuable heritage and development. Even in the 21st century as the city steadily flourishes, it helps the readers remember the city's captivating tales. Undoubtedly, Coimbatore is a name associated with a city that blends different periods together perfectly, a city that preserves its history while advancing forward.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Self-discipline is at the core of Saidapet Government School's values
The Saidapet Government Model Higher Secondary School is buzzing with energy. In one corner, preparations are under way for the lunch break, while elsewhere, students can be heard reciting the alphabet. A whistle blows in the distance as the physical education teacher directs a student back to class. 'We had more students a few years ago. The number has dropped since then, but at one point, every classroom was at full strength. We had over 3,000 students in the school at that time. Today, there are 470 students, from kindergarten to class 12,' said Beulah, a Tamil teacher who has been working at the school for the past 25 years. K. David Mano, the principal of the school, adds that admissions have increased recently. 'Our school is sought-after for sports, from volleyball to throwball. Many parents have now transferred their children from CBSE and matriculation boards to our school because they believe in government schools,' he said. Illustrious past Established in 1904, the Saidapet Government Model Higher Secondary School began as the Saidapet Model High School, which was attached to the Teacher's College located on its premises. According to A Manual of the Madras Government: Chingleput District by Charles Stewart Crole (1879), it was one of the schools in the Madras Presidency that provided middle-class education up to the matriculation standard. The school catered to both boys and girls. 'In 1989, the school came under the control of the School Education Department when it became a higher secondary school and began offering education up to Class 12,' said Ms. Beulah. She also added that, as the school's strength had grown to over 3,000 students, it had to be split, leading to the establishment of a girls' school in the area. Prominent alumni The 129-year-old school boasts prominent alumni, from the second President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, to the current Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian. Beaulah notes that over the years, the school has had a significant impact on students' lives, with a strong emphasis on discipline. 'That was the turning point. In the early years, students did not care about what teachers said. But now, we have ensured that they cultivate self-discipline,' she said. She credits the collective responsibility shared by the school community, from parents to teachers, for the enforcement of good behaviour. 'We keep a watchful eye. From inappropriate language to other distractions, we make sure that we are the ones students turn to when they need support. We put in the effort to notice changes in behaviour and follow up. Only when the entire school works together can students truly thrive in the outside world,' she added.
