20,000 Irulas gather in Mamallapuram for festival

More than 20,000 Irula tribespeople gathered in Mamallapuram on Thursday for the annual Maasi Pournami festival. This event honors their ancestral goddess, Kanniamma, and celebrates their cultural heritage. The Irulas, an indigenous tribe with a matriarchal system, have a history of displacement due to wars. They believe Kanniamma, once their leader, merged into the sea in anger after their community faced attacks. During the festival, families set up temporary shelters and prepare meals with local ingredients. The event includes rituals and serves as a time for community bonding, with many returning from various regions to participate.