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58-750: The victory of the Karaiyars over the Mukkuvars happened in the Saka era 1159, corresponding to the 15th century. About 7700 Karaiyar chieftains from Kanchipuram , Kaveripattinam and Kilakarai of Tamil Nadu arrived in Sri Lanka at the invitation of Parakramabahu VI of Kotte . The army was led by the chieftains Kurukula Nattu Thevar, Adiarasa Adappan, Varunasuriya Adappan, Kurukulasuriya Mudaliya, Bharathakulasuriya Mudaliyar, Arasakulasuriya Mudaliyar and their main royal chief, Manikka Thalaivan. The chieftains first overthrew

116-454: A Pandya ruler who sent Meekaman to obtain a Naga gemstone for Kannagi (the heroine of Silappatikaram ). A destroyed fort at Neduntheevu , the Delft Island fort is locally known as Meekaman kōttai , and is thought to have been the fort of Meekaman. According to Mattakallappu Manmiyam , Kalinga Magha (founder of Aryacakravarti dynasty ) gave the principality of Mannar to those of

174-613: A Pasha (noose, rope loop) and a pitcher in his hands. He has multiple wives and fathered many children, including the Vedic sage Vasishtha . He is also mentioned in the Tamil grammar work Tolkāppiyam , as Kadalon the god of sea and rain. He is found in Japanese Buddhist mythology as Suiten . He is also found in Jainism . In Hindu tradition, the theonym Váruṇa ( Devanagari : वरुण )

232-459: A battalion of 7740 Karaiyar soldiers came from Kurumandalam in Southern India, and defeated the Mukkuvars (another coastal community) and Sonakars (Tamil Muslims). The Yalpana Vaipava Malai states that Parakramabahu VI of Kotte invited Karaiyar battalions to facilitate trade with other countries. The Karaiyars also formed alliances with coastal military castes from Tamil Nadu such as

290-411: A bridge and cross over to Lanka. Although, most of the sources claim it was Samudra , the god of the oceans who met Rama not the water god Varuna. The Tolkāppiyam , a Tamil grammar work from the 3rd century BCE divides the people of ancient Tamilakam into five Sangam landscape divisions: kurinji, mullai, paalai, marutham and neithal . Each landscape is designated with different gods. Neithal

348-476: A coastal population; in the later literature, the word came to be identified with coastal people. Several inscriptions mention high-ranked military officials under the title Kurukulattaraiyan (meaning "King of Kurukulam"). An inscription in Tirumukkudal, Tamil Nadu mentions a notability named Kurukulattaraiyan who 'wore a golden anklet' as the commander of the army of Vijayabahu I (11th century AD) who ended

406-535: A warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve the same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal, became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus, who according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday. Chalio or Chaliho, also called Chaliho Sahib, is a forty-day-long festival celebrated by Sindhi Hindus to express their gratitude to Jhulelal for saving them from their impending conversion to Islam. The festival

464-579: A warrior caste who contributed as army and navy soldiers of Tamil kings. They were noted as the army generals and navy captains of the Aryacakravarti dynasty. The Karaiyars emerged in the 1990s as strong representatives of Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism. The nuclear leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have background in the wealthier enterprising section of the Karaiyars. The word "Karaiyar"

522-546: Is a Hindu god , associated with the sky, oceans, and water. In the Vedic scriptures , he is paired with the god Mitra and is the lord of Ṛta (justice) and Satya (truth). Varuna is also mentioned as an Aditya , the sons of the goddess Aditi . In the later Hindu texts like the Puranas , Varuna is also a Dikpala or guardian of the western direction. He is depicted as a youthful man, mounted on Makara (crocodile) and holding

580-703: Is a reference to their maritime origin. Varuna is the god of sea and rain, mentioned in Vedic Literature , but also in Sangam literature as the principal deity of the Neithal Sangam landscape (i.e. littoral landscape). Arasakulam means "clan of kings". The Karaiyar, are among the old coastal communities who inhabited the Neithal Sangam landscape . The ancient Tamil literature mentions several coastal populations, but does not contain any direct references to

638-524: Is a reference to their maritime origin. Varuna is the god of sea and rain, mentioned in Vedic Literature , but also in Sangam literature as the principal deity of the Neithal Sangam landscape (i.e. littoral landscape). Arasakulam means "clan of kings". They used the Makara as emblem, the mount of their clan deity, the sea god Varuna, which was also seen on their flags. Jhulelal is believed by Sindhi Hindus to be an incarnation of Varuna. They celebrate

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696-457: Is derived from the Tamil language words karai ("coast" or "shore") and yar ("people"). The term Kareoi mentioned by 2nd century CE writer Ptolemy , is identified with the Tamil word "Karaiyar". The Portuguese and Dutch sources mentions them under the term Careas , Careaz , or Carias, which are terms denoting "Karaiyar". Kurukulam , Varunakulam and Arasakulam were historically one of

754-419: Is described as a derivation from the verbal root vṛ ("to surround, to cover" or "to restrain, bind") by means of a suffixal -uṇa- , for an interpretation of the name as "he who covers or binds", in reference to the cosmological ocean or river encircling the world, but also in reference to the "binding" by universal law or Ṛta . Georges Dumézil (1934) made a cautious case for the identity of Varuna and

812-524: Is described as a seashore landscape occupied by fishermen and seatraders, with the god of sea and rain, Varunan or Kadalōn . "Varuna" means water which denotes the ocean in the Tamil language. The Cheti Chand festival in the Hindu month of Chaitra marks the arrival of spring and harvest, but in Sindhi Hindu community, it also marks the mythical birth of Uderolal in the year 1007. Uderolal morphed into

870-702: Is equal in age and glory (vanna) with Sakka and takes the third seat in the assembly of devas. In East Asian Buddhism , Varuna is a dharmapāla and often classed as one of the Twelve Devas (Japanese: Jūniten , 十二天). He presides over the western direction. In Japan, he is called "Suiten" (水天 lit. "water deva "). He is included with the other eleven devas, which include Taishakuten ( Śakra/Indra ), Fūten ( Vāyu ), Emmaten ( Yama ), Rasetsuten ( Nirṛti / Rākṣasa ), Ishanaten ( Īśāna ), Bishamonten ( Vaiśravaṇa/Kubera ), Katen ( Agni ), Bonten ( Brahmā ), Jiten ( Pṛthivī ), Nitten ( Sūrya/Āditya ), and Gatten ( Chandra ). Varuna

928-456: Is in these anuvakas that sage Varuni advises Bhrigu with one of the oft-cited definition of Brahman, as "that from which beings originate, through which they live, and in which they re-enter after death, explore that because that is Brahman". This thematic, all encompassing, eternal nature of reality and existence develops as the basis for Bhrigu's emphasis on introspection, to help peel off the outer husks of knowledge, in order to reach and realize

986-564: Is known as Sapumal Kumaraya . They lost 1,500 of their own troops. The chieftains settled after the victory in the area between Chilaw and Negombo . Karaiyar Karaiyar is a Sri Lankan Tamil caste found mainly on the northern and eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka , and globally among the Tamil diaspora . They are traditionally a seafaring community that is engaged in fishing , shipment and seaborne trade . They fish customarily in deep seas or on shore, and employ gillnet and seine fishing methods. The Karaiyars were

1044-681: Is observed every year in the months of July to August; dates vary according to the Hindu calendar . It is a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Varuna Deva for listening to their prayers. Nārali Poornima is a ceremonial day observed by Hindu fishing communities in Maharashtra , India particularly around Mumbai and the Konkan coast . It is held on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan which falls around July or August. On this day offerings such as rice, flowers and coconuts are offered to Lord Varuna,

1102-489: Is stated to be mother of all gods. In Yajurveda it is said: "In fact Varuna is Vishnu and Vishnu is Varuna and hence the auspicious offering is to be made to these deities." || 8.59 || Varuna, addressed as Varuni explained Brahman in Taittiriya Upanishad to sage Bhrigu . First six anuvakas of Bhrigu Valli are called Bhargavi Varuni Vidya , which means "the knowledge Bhrigu got from (his father) Varuni". It

1160-559: The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (~800 BCE), for example, he is stated to be the god of the western quarter, but one who is founded on "water" and dependent ultimately on "the heart" and the fire of soul. In the Katha Upanishad , Aditi is identified to be same as the goddess earth. She is stated in the Vedic texts to be the mother of Varuna and Mitra along with other Vedic gods, and in later Hindu mythology she as mother earth

1218-516: The Aryacakravarti dynasty . The Karaiyars emerged in the 1980s as strong representatives of Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism . The nuclear leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have background in the wealthier enterprising section of the Karaiyars. Historically, they have also been referred to as Kurukulam, Varunakulam and Karaiyalar . Sharing similar origins and status are

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1276-711: The Maravars . The Maravars who had strong influence in Northern Sri Lanka, established themselves as trading and sea lords and assimilated into the Karaiyar caste. A 13th century inscription of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I in Tharangambadi , Tamil Nadu makes a reference to the Karaiyars along with the mercantile guild Patinenvisayattar making food offerings to the Masilamaninathar temple. The Vaiya Padal mentions

1334-521: The Portuguese in the conquest of the Jaffna kingdom , who aligned and also commanded over the troops of Thanjavur Nayak Kingdom , whose king was Raghunatha Nayak . The first revolt led by a Karaiyar chieftain who was defeated near Nallur by Phillippe de Oliveira and his army. The second revolt against them was led by the Karaiyar chief Migapulle Arachchi , a feudal lord of Jaffna Kingdom who also led

1392-605: The Sinhalese Karava and the Pattanavar of Tamil Nadu . The word "Karaiyar" is derived from the Tamil language words karai ("coast" or "shore") and yar ("people"). The term Kareoi mentioned by 2nd century AD writer Ptolemy , is identified with the Tamil word "Karaiyar". The Portuguese and Dutch sources mentions them under the term Careas , Careaz , or Carias, which are terms denoting "Karaiyar". Kurukulam , Varunakulam and Arasakulam were historically one of

1450-506: The god of the sky . Varuna and Mitra are the gods of the societal affairs including the oath , and are often twinned Mitra-Varuna . Both Mitra and Varuna are classified as Asuras in the Rigveda (e.g. RV 5 .63.3), although they are also addressed as Devas as well (e.g. RV 7 .60.12). Varuna, being the king of the Asuras, was adopted or made the change to a Deva after the structuring of

1508-599: The Chola rule in Sri Lanka. Another Kurukulattaraiyan, Choran Uyyaninraduvan , the minister of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan (13th century AD) is mentioned as gifting land and making offerings for the Ninra Narayana Perumal temple in an epigraphy of the temple. The same minister is also mentioned in an inscription issued by Jatavarman Kulasekaran I . According to an account given in the Mukkara Hatana manuscript,

1566-683: The Greek god Ouranos at the earliest Indo-European cultural level. The etymological identification of the name Ouranos with the Sanskrit Varuṇa is based in the derivation of both names from the PIE root *ŭer with a sense of "binding" – the Indic king-god Varuṇa binds the wicked, the Greek king-god Ouranos binds the Cyclopes. This derivation of the Greek name is now widely rejected in favour of derivation from

1624-491: The Hindu pantheon, and Rudra-Shiva became both "timeless and the god of time". In Vajasaneyi Samhita 21.40 ( Yajurveda ), Varuna is called the patron deity of physicians, one who has "a hundred, a thousand remedies". His capacity and association with "all comprehensive knowledge" is also found in the Atharvaveda (~1000 BCE). Varuna also finds a mention in the early Upanishads , where his role evolves. In verse 3.9.26 of

1682-470: The Karaiyars. Migration of Karaiyars from South India to Sri Lanka started from around second century BCE. The earliest reference to them could be the 1st century BCE Tamil Householders Terrace , Pali inscription in Anuradhapura referring to several Tamil chiefs including one named " Dameda navika Karava ", translated as " Tamil Karayar sailor ". The Purananuru mentions "Karaiyavar", but not as

1740-702: The Kurukulam lineage. The Karaiyars in alliance with the Paravars were in control of the port-based trade and the pearl fishery conducted in the Gulf of Mannar under the Jaffna Kingdom , which were one of the worlds major pearl fisheries. The Karaiyars were by the Portuguese described as the most "warlike" tribe and their chiefs as most serious adversaries of the colonial Portuguese . The Karaiyars revolted six times against

1798-498: The Pattankattiyar were headmen who were responsible of the harbors and pearl fishery of the northern and western parts of Sri Lanka . At the hand of the powerful maritime trading clans of the Karaiyars, the emergence of urban centers known as pattanam were seen. Pattanavar (literally meaning "pattanam-residents"), is an almost extinct caste name also used by the Karaiyars. Mudaliar (meaning "capitalist") were conferred on

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1856-523: The Portuguese. Upon defeat were significant numbers of Karaiyars along with the Nairs and Karavas appointed as Lascarins under Portuguese rule, and were converted to Catholicism . In the Jaffna region , the Karaiyars were a dominant caste and were considered as upper-class in the social hierarchy, where conversion to Christianity of sections of them allowed them to grow closer to the Portuguese in power. After

1914-488: The Vedas. Rig veda 10.123 says Hiranyapaksha (golden winged bird) as the messenger of Varuna. The golden winged messenger bird of Varuna may not be a mythical one but most probably flamingos because they have colourful wings and the sukta further describes Vulture as the messenger of Yama, the beaks of both these birds have similar morphology and flamingos are seen nearby seashores and marshlands. The Rigveda also features him as

1972-471: The Vedic texts (Varuna later gets associated with west), both can be offered "injured, ill offerings", all of which suggest that Varuna may have been conceptually overlapping with Rudra. Further, the Rigvedic hymn 5.70 calls Mitra-Varuna pair as rudra , states Srinivasan. According to Samuel Macey and other scholars, Varuna had been the more ancient Indo-Aryan deity in 2nd millennium BCE, who gave way to Rudra in

2030-597: The army's soldiers and workers. The Karaiyars in Eastern Sri Lanka like other castes are divided into kudi's or matrilineal clans. The Eastern Karaiyars almost exclusively also use the term Vaiyittu Var (Tamil for "womb-tie") as a synonymous term for kudi or clan. The chieftains and village headmen of the Karaiyars held the title Pattankattiyar , meaning " One who is crowned" in Tamil. Other titles they used were Adappanar , Mudaliar , Pillai , Kurukulattan and Varunakulattan . The Adappans along with

2088-502: The battle against the Asuras , the devas of Tāvatiṃsa were asked to look upon the banner of Varuna in order to have all their fears dispelled (S.i.219). The Tevijja Sutta mentions him among Indra , Soma , Isāna , Pajāpati , Yama and Mahiddhi as gods that are invoked by the brahmins . The Ātānātiya Sutta lists him among the Yakkha chiefs. Buddhaghosa states (SA.i.262) that Varuna

2146-531: The expulsion of the Portuguese, was the growing Dutch rule revolted in 1658 in the Jaffna region by the Christian Karaiyars and Madapallis . A Dutch minister of the 17th century, Philippus Baldaeus , described the Karaiyars, Madapallis and Vellalars among the influential classes of the Christians. Elite Karaiyars were appointed to the rank of Mudaliyars . The Karaiyar dominance got weakened through

2204-454: The festival of Cheti Chand in his honor. The festival marks the arrival of spring and harvest, but in Sindhi community it also marks the birth of Uderolal in year 1007, after they prayed to Hindu god Varuna to save them from the persecution by tyrannical Muslim ruler named Mirkhshah. Uderolal morphed into a warrior and old man who preached and reprimanded Mirkhshah that Muslims and Hindus deserve

2262-461: The fort of Puttalam after a three-month siege of the Mukkuvar led by Nala Mudaliyar. The Karaiyar chieftains thereafter proceeded to Nagapattinam and overthrew the fort there after another four months siege with the loss of additional 1300 troops, where also their royal Karaiyar leader, Manikka Thalaivan got killed. Manikka Thalaivan's sons were eventually adopted by Parakramabahu VI , one of whom

2320-503: The fourth morning, enraged. He states to his brother Lakshamana that "even lords of the elements listen only to violence, Varuna does not respect gentleness, and peaceful prayers go unheard". With his bow and arrow, Rama prepares to attack the oceans to dry up the waters and create a bed of sand for his army of monkeys to cross and thus confront Ravana. Lakshmana appeals to Rama, translates Menon, that he should return to "peaceful paths of our fathers, you can win this war without laying waste

2378-626: The god of ocean and waters. Karaiyar is a Sri Lankan Tamil caste found mainly on the northern and eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka, and globally among the Tamil diaspora. They are traditionally a seafaring community that is engaged in fishing, shipment and seaborne trade. They fish mostly in deep seas, and employ gillnet and seine fishing methods. The Karaiyars were the major maritime traders and boat owners who among other things, traded with pearls, chanks, tobacco, and shipped goods overseas to countries such as India, Myanmar and Indonesia. The community known for their maritime history, are also reputed as

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2436-515: The innermost kernel of spiritual Self-knowledge. Rama interacts with Varuna in the Hindu epic Ramayana . For example, faced with the dilemma of how to cross the ocean to Lanka , where his abducted wife Sita is held captive by the demon king Ravana , Rama (an Avatar of Vishnu ) performs a pravpavesha (prayer, tapasya ) to Varuna, the Lord of Oceans, for three days and three nights, states Ramesh Menon. Varuna does not respond, and Rama arises on

2494-409: The major maritime traders and boat owners who among other things, traded with pearls , chanks , tobacco , and shipped goods overseas to countries such as India , Myanmar and Indonesia . The community known for their maritime history , are also reputed as a warrior caste who contributed as army and navy soldiers of Tamil kings . They were noted as the army generals and navy captains of

2552-453: The maritime elite trading clans of the Karaiyars as titles of nobility . The domestic servants of the Karaiyars, who are known as Kudimakkal include the castes of Ambattar , Vannar , Maraiyar and Nattuvar . They gave importance in their ritual roles as officiators under the wedding and funeral. Varuna Traditional Varuna ( / ˈ v ɜːr ʊ n ə , ˈ v ɑː r ə -/ ; Sanskrit : वरुण , IAST : Varuṇa )

2610-572: The political rise of the Vellalars under Dutch rule . For centuries have the Karaiyars had sea-trade relations with India but also Myanmar , Thailand , Malaysia and Indonesia , which has been heavily restricted since British rule . In the 20th century, the Karaiyar were the second largest group of voters among the Sri Lankan Tamils after the Vellalar. The Karaiyars formed around 10% of

2668-630: The population, while the dominant Vellalars constituted about 50% of the population. The Karaiyars dominated the political scene of the Tamils in the late 20th century through the liberation struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam state for Tamils as a result of government sponsored riots and acts such as the 1958 anti-Tamil pogrom and the Standardisation act . Educated Karaiyar youths from Jaffna Peninsula took to militancy as means of protest and formed separatist groups such as TELO , EROS , EPRLF and

2726-453: The primordial cosmos, imposed by Indra after he defeats Vritra . According to Doris Srinivasan , a professor of Indology focusing on religion, Varuna-Mitra pair is an ambiguous deity just like Rudra - Shiva pair. Both have wrathful-gracious aspects in Indian mythology. Both Varuna and Rudra are synonymous with "all comprehensive sight, knowledge", both were the guardian deity of the north in

2784-399: The representative of the Tamil society as a whole compared to the other Tamil militant groups . The Karaiyars were assigned the western section (present day Gurunagar ) and the harbors of the Jaffna Kingdom . The Karaiyars formed the generals of the Jaffna kings and officered the navy of the Aryacakravarti dynasty . They used the Makara as emblem, the mount of their clan deity,

2842-454: The root * wers- "to moisten, drip" (Sanskrit vṛṣ "to rain, pour"). In the earliest layer of the Rigveda , Varuna is the guardian of moral law, one who punishes those who sin without remorse, and who forgives those who err with remorse. He is mentioned in many Rigvedic hymns, such as 7.86–88, 1.25, 2.27–30, 8.8, 9.73 and others. His relationship with waters, rivers and oceans is mentioned in

2900-558: The same religious freedoms. He, as Jhulelal, became the champion of the people in Sindh, from both religions. Among his Sufi Muslim followers, Jhulelal is known as "Khwaja Khizir" or "Sheikh Tahit". The Hindu Sindhi, according to this legend, celebrate the new year as Uderolal's birthday. The Pali Canon of the Theravada school recognizes Varuṇa (Sanskrit; Pali: Varuna) as a king of the devas and companion of Sakka , Pajāpati and Isāna . In

2958-720: The sea god Varuna , which was also seen on their flags. Kannaki Amman is one of the chief deity of the Hindu Karaiyars whereas Francis Xavier and Virgin mary are one of the chief saints of the Christian Karaiyars. The Karaiyars in Northern Sri Lanka are classified into two groups: the Meelongi and the Keelongi . The Melongi Karaiyars are some areas known as Thevar Karaiya r and Kurukula Karaiyar , who were descendants of commanders, while Keelongi Karaiyars were descendants of

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3016-460: The sea". Rama shoots his weapon sending the ocean into flames. As Rama increases the ferocity of his weapons, Varuna arises out of the oceans. He bows to Rama, stating that he himself did not know how to help Rama because the sea is deep, vast and he cannot change the nature of sea. Varuna asked Rama to remember that he is "the soul of peace and love, wrath does not suit him". Varuna promised to Rama that he will not disturb him or his army as they build

3074-659: The seafaring and militant communities of the Coromandel Coast , enabling them to set up training camps in coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and exploit the sea for weapon smuggling. Through their kinship to the Karaiyar landlord class in Batticaloa region, the LTTE also gained recruitment of Eastern Tamils. Although having a significant Karaiyar representation, the LTTE promoted Tamil unity through anti-casteism and recruited without caste and regional distinctions, and thus ensured them to be

3132-504: The significant clans of the Karaiyars. Kurukulam, meaning "clan of the Kuru ", may be a reference to their origin from Kurumandalam (meaning "realm of Kuru's") of Southern India . They attribute their origin myth from the Kuru Kingdom , mentioned in Hindu epic Mahabharata . Some scholars derived Kurukulam from Kuru, the Tamil name for Jupiter . Varunakulam, meaning "clan of Varuna ",

3190-410: The significant clans of the Karaiyars. Kurukulam, meaning "clan of the Kuru ", may be a reference to their origin from Kurumandalam (meaning "realm of Kuru's") of Southern India . They attribute their origin myth from the Kuru Kingdom , mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata . Some scholars derived Kurukulam from Kuru, the Tamil name for Jupiter . Varunakulam, meaning "clan of Varuna ",

3248-562: The third revolt. A later revolt was started by the Karaiyars and the Thanjavur Nayak troops of over 5000 men, commanded by the Karaiyar chief, Varunakulattan , one described by the Portuguese as being of kingly status. The Portuguese ordered Cankili II , king of Jaffna Kingdom , to surrender the Thanjavur Nayak soldiers and Varunakulattan (who is described as " King of Careas "). However Cankili II did not surrender them as they had come on his request, and were later on defeated by

3306-412: The voyage of a Karaiyar chief known as Meekāman , who traveled with ships loaded with several castes and chiefs, including the Karaiyars who make reference as Varunakulaththar. Another Karaiyar chief also known as Meekāman is credited for leading a troop of Chola soldiers and defeating the powerful Mukkuvar chiefs Vediarasan and Meera . According to one version was this strife caused because of

3364-537: The world renowned LTTE , also widely known as the Tamil Tigers. The fact that the core leadership of the LTTE had Karaiyar origin, (e.g. the leader of the LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran was a Melongi Karaiyar), he enabled them to develop a strong Sea Tiger force due to their traditional knowledge on seafaring and the waterways of the Palk Strait . They benefited greatly from their kinship and long trade relation with

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