ABOUT PILLAYAR NONBU
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Pillaiyar Nonbu is celebrated to signify the destruction of Gajamuhasuran by Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha defeated Gajamuhasuran on Markazhi Sashti day. The day falls on the 22nd day after Thiru Karthigai. It is also the day on which Sashti thithi and Sathayam star come together.
There are 3 important Sashti days for Hindus. First is the Sashti in Ayppasi month, which is Kanda Sashti to signify Soorasamhaaram. Second one is in Karthigai month to signify the destruction of Sambaasuran by Lord Bhairavar. Third is the Markazhi Sashti celebrated as Pillaiyar Nonbu.
The number 21 is very significant in celebrating Pillaiyar Nonbu, because it is 21 days after Thiru Karthigai. The wick used in the Ezhai has 21 threads. AvaaramPoo, which is used in Pillaiyar Nonbu, has 21 petals.
Nagarathars and Yazhpaanathaar in SriLanka celebrate Pillaiyar Nonbu. Nagarthars were worshipping Lord Ganesha from their days in Kaverippoompattinam. They celebrate Pilliayaar Nonbu in a grand manner. All members of the Nagarathar family try to get together on this day. The same way, the Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Nagarathars meet at a common place and celebrate the Pillaiyar Nonbu every year in a grand manner.
During the celebration, in the prayer hall, a silver lamp using pure ghee is lit, with all kinds of palakaarams (eatables) offered to the Lord and 2 bouquets of Avaarampoo with rice paddies on either side of the lamp. Also many different Poris are offered. Til, Rice, Corn, Millet are some of them.
The eldest member of the family or gathering usually lights the ezhais and gives them to all present and is taken in the order of the age. In Tamilnadu, Maavilakku is a way of worshipping gods. By lighting a lamp in the mix of rice flour and jaggery(country sugar) it is believed to bring prosperity and good health to all family members. Ezhai can be considered a miniature version of Maavilakku.
