Pillaiyar Nonbu in Bahrain

Bahrain Nagarathars celebrated the Pillaiyar Nonbu at Mr Palani Alagappan’s
villa in Zinj, Kingdom of Bahrain on Tuesday ,22 December 2009 .

Mr Palani Alagappan and his wife Meena Alagappan warmly welcomed all the
Nagarathars.

The Pillaiyar, nicely decorated with garland and flowers; sticks tied with
Avarampoo (flower) were placed at the sanctum; Thumbu pidithal (achis drew a
house on the wall with thread dipped in kolamavu); Aval, karuppatti seedai and
Pories made of Arisi, Ellu (sesame seeds), Solam (corn), Kambu (millet) in separate
Cups and Vellai Paniaram, Karuppatti Paniaram, Medu vadai, Kalkandu vadai, Thirattupaal
on a banana leaf were offered to Pillaiyar; Kuthu Vilakus and a Kamatchi Vilaku
filled with ghee were lighted.  

At 6:30 p.m the celebrations started with devotional songs sung by all, lead
by Mrs and Mr Nachiappan.  After the prayers, at 7:30 p.m. Mr Ramasamy
the eldest among the Bahrain Nagarathars showed the Arathi and distributed the
lighted elai to all the Nagarathars and future Nagarathars (expected mothers
had additional ellai for the foetus ).  All the Nagarathars prayed to Lord
Pillaiyar and received his blessings with the lighted elai and delighted.  87
Elais were taken.

For the first time in Bahrain Pillaiyar Nonbu, “Elam” (auction) was successfully
held to generate funds for the charity (educational and marriage assistance)
that was started a year ago so that we can increase the number of assistance.
Enchanting Mr. Sevugan captivatingly conducted the auction of Salt, Kalkandu
(sugar cubes), Manjal (turmeric), lime and dates.

Mr Rajendran sponsored and distributed gifts to all the Children and they
were on cloud nine.

Around 8:45 p.m. the sumptuous dinner of Laddu, Thirattupaal, Kalkandu Vadai,
Karuppatti Paniaram, Idly, Idiyappam, Medu Vadai, Vellai Paniaram, Sambar, Kosumalli,
Cocunut Chutney and Tomato Chutney were served on Banana Leaf.   A
rare scene these days!

Mr Alagappan gave away goody bags to all the guests.  At 10:30 p.m.,
we left Mr. Alagappan’s Villa.  

The entire event was meticulously organized and the credit goes to the united
efforts of all the Bahrain Nagarathars especially to the following nagarathars’
for their extra efforts and time put in to organize this event:

1)      The Event Management wing and volunteers
for their involvement and guidance;

2)      Mr Palani Alagappan and his family
for their spacious villa and the arrangements;

3)      All Achis for preparing various delicacies;

4)      Mr Kannappan Sevugan for conducting
the “Elam”;

5)      Sponsors of the Elam items and other
items;

6)      Mr Rajendran for sponsoring Gifts  to
the Children

In Bahrain, this is 8th year that Pillaiyar Nonbu is celebrated as a gathering
in a house.  We are fortunate to celebrate a Pillaiyar Nonbu so grandly
in a distant land outside India, that too, in an Arabian Country.  It is
our wish that the cohesiveness of Bahrain Nagarathars continues with the blessing
of Lord Pillaiyar and this tradition is carried on with the same eagerness,
enthusiasm and excitement, year after year, forever.