User talk:Vanniyan

VANNIYAKULA KSHATRIYAR
INTRODUCTION

Vanniyar refers to a very larger social group of people spread all across South India. Vanniakula Kshatriyas are a feudal caste and descendants of the ruling community that predominantly ruled Andhra, Northern Tamilnadu and Southern Karnataka with their capital at Kanchipuram. At present in India, they primarily live in modern Tamilnadu where they speak Tamil, while in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka they speak their native south indian dravidian languages namely, Telugu and Kannada respectively. Vanniyar community comprises of 36% population among total polpulation of Tamilnadu. The following districts in Tamilnadu viz.,. Chennai, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, northern Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, northern Trichy, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, parts of Namakkal and northern Erode form Vanniyar belt in the state. Vanniyar and Dalit are the largest voting population of Tamilnadu without whose support no party shall be able to form the government in Tamilnadu. And also the majority population of Pondicherry i.e.,. 65% belong to Vanniyar community.

VANNIYAR ORIGIN

Vanniyar is the only community to have its own purana. A part of Agni Puranam by name Vanniya puranam deals with the origin of Vanniyar community. The related inscription can also be found in the grand Sri Vaitheeswaran Koil, Tamilnadu which was constructed thousands of years ago. The Vanniya Puranam states that at ancient times there was an Asura known as Vadhavi, born to Sage Durvasa and Demon Ajamuki. He worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained immunity from death and subsequently garrisoned the Earth. To save the Earth Lord Shiva summoned Jambu Maharishi, who was then performing penance in the north and ordered him to perform a Yagam. Jambu Maharishi as per Lord Shiva's order performed a Yagam, or sacrifice by his yogic powers using tears flown from Lord Shiva's third eye as Ahudi neer and sticks of Vanni maram. Soon an armed warrior on a white horse sprung from the flames, named Vanniraya/ Veera vanniyan/ Rudra Vanniyan who destroyed the Asura and freed the Earth. In honour of this victory Indra gave his daughter to Veera Vanniyan in marriage and the subsequent lineage formed ruler class which was named after this great warrior as Vanniyakula Kshatriyar. Even today "Vadhavi Samharam" is celebrated in many places to mark the victory of Veera Vanniyan.