The legend of ‘our lady of snows’
CHENNAI: The 53-foot golden chariot stands majestically at the Basilica, its resting spot after a procession through the streets of Tuticorin, one of the largest, rarest and most celebrated events in the coastal city, as crowds 10,000-strong throng each day to catch a glimpse. At the centre of the chariot is the five-foot tall statue of ‘Our Lady of Snows’, mother god of the mariners of the region. The lower deck has carved figurines of mermaids and mermen, symbolising the seafaring tradition of the paravar community that worships her. Since February 2, 1806, when it was first rolled out, the chariot has graced the streets only 16 times, the last being in 2013. It made its way through the streets a week ago in a ten-day festival and will remain on view at the Basilica until September 8.
What is the enchanting tale behind ‘Our Lady of the Snows’ and why has she come to be the guardian angel of the fisher community?
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the paravar community, who claimed to be descendants of Pandya kings and lived along the pearl fishery coast, were under attack from local rulers. The Portuguese, who were trying to make inroads into the area, agreed to protect them if they converted to Catholicism. Members of the community converted in 1532 AD.
A decade later, Jesuit missionaries from Portugal sent Francis Xavier over to strengthen the Catholic presence. The locals hailed him ‘Periya Thagappan’ (Godfather). “He understood that the community was traditionally into worship of a mother goddess and needed a ‘motherly’ deity to hold on to. He wanted the statue sent over from the Philippines,” says Joe D’ Cruz, who documented 100 years of Tuticorin in his Sahitya Academy award-winning book ‘Korkai’. The veneration of Mother Mary in the Catholic sect struck a chord with the mariners, more so as she was hailed the ‘Morning Star’ (for just as the morning star guides mariners, she guided souls to heaven). There is also a small ‘mother figure’ Sinthayathirai Matha (Mother of Good Voyage), near the seashore in Tuticorin, which came up in 1713 AD, and which fishermen flock to before venturing into sea. The statue arrived in 1555 AD and from then on came to be seen as the protector. She is also called ‘Ezhukadalthuraiyin Yega Adaikala Thai’ (Mother of refuge for seven ports) indicating the villages of Vembar, Vaippar, Manapadu, Tuticorin, Punnakayal, Veerapandianpattinam and Tiruchendur. Over centuries, Tuticorin’s history has been influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The paravar community, though, remained resolute in their faith. “Except for the Portuguese, the other colonists practiced Protestantism, which only had a crucifix as a symbol. People could not relate to it,” says D’Cruz.
The Our Lady of Snows statue is adorned with a golden crown, which appeals to the community that traces its roots to Pandya kings. The golden chariot was introduced by pandiyapathi (community leader) Don Gabriel De Cruz Vas Gomas Parathavarma Pandian in 1806 AD. He was affectionately called Thermaran for introducing the golden chariot like the one in Tiruchendur Murugan temple.
“The tradition of rolling a golden chariot through the streets is what attracts people from all faiths, especially Hindus because they are accustomed to car processions,” says A Sivasubramanian, a professor of folklore.
Though they have embraced Catholicism, some elements of their ancestry, remain. “The head of a parrot, for example, is placed on top of the four pillars in the chariot. The parrot is associated with Goddess Meenakshi and found a place in the symbols of Pandya kings,” says Subash Fernando, a local community leader.
Though the teachings of the Catholic Church say Mother Mary is not worshipped as a deity, but rather venerated above all saints and given a place as Mother of God, people from the paravar community, especially from these coastal villages consider her their Mother Goddess. “People from all paravar villages make a pilgrimage to see the golden chariot,” says V Raja, who travelled from Manapadu with his family.
Source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
