It is celebrated on the fourth day of Pongal celebrations.
The day is observed as a mark of respect for his contribution to the literary field and honoured for the teachings it showers on readers.
Womenfolk leave food on banana leaves or turmeric plants for the birds to feed. Food is offered in different colours to attract birds.
Who is Thiruvalluvar?
Thiruvalluvar is commonly known as ‘Valluvar’ and expected to live during the 2nd Century CE.
He was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher.
He is best known as the author of Tirukku?a?, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economy and love.
The text is considered an exceptional and widely cherished work of the Tamil literature.
Little is known about the life of Tiruvalluvar except that he is believed to have lived in Mylapore (now part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu) with his wife, Vasuki.
He was probably a Jain ascetic of humble origins who worked as a weaver.
Both Buddhists and Shaivites, however, claim him as their own, and he is especially revered by those of low caste.