MAVILAI THORANAM
INTRODUCTION
Mavilai Thoranam means a bunch of mango leaves, which would be tied in the entrance of the marriage halls, temples, or in the homes of the Hindus during temple or family functions or during festival times. This Thoranam is considered as a sacred item, and it is also believed that by tying it in the entrance of the homes, Ma Lakshmi Devi would enter into the homes delightfully. The system of using Mavilai Thoranam was there since ancient Vedic times. Ancient Vedic scholars, saints and Rishis used to tie this auspicious thing on their Ashrams, by considering that their life would prosper.
The significance of Mavilai Thoranam was also praised by Tamil scholars and poets, and they have mentioned the holy item on their poems. Nowadays, people also use to tie Mavilai Thoranam made out of artificial plastic in order to use it permanently in their homes. But we must use the original mango leaves for making it into Thoranam, during the times of auspicious occasions like Deepavali, Pongal and Navaratri festivals. As per legend, even during the times of divine marriages like Srinivasan-Padmavathy Thirukalyanam and Madurai Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam, lot of mango leaves were used as Thoranam.
Among the three main fruits, Jack fruit, Mango and Banana, Mango is considered as the best fruit for its good taste and also for its high level of nutritional properties. Ancient kings used to willingly eat lot of Mangoes, since it provides rich source of energy for them. Mavilai Thoranam would be tied in the companies during the time of Ayudha Puja celebrations. Once if a Mavilai Thoranam is tied in a person’s home, then their neighbours and the passers would presume that the person is celebrating family function or celebrating a festival or their birthdays.
Apart from festivals and other auspicious occasions, normally we can tie Mavilai Thoranam in the entrance of our homes, on all the days or at least during on Fridays, in order to make the holy mother Ma Lakshmi Devi to wilfully enter into our homes, in order to bless us.
“OM MA MAHALAKSHMI DEVIYE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR