Where did the tradition of ear piercing actually originate? Is it a modern custom?
The following incident from the life of Kanchi Mahaperiyava provides an interesting answer.
Whenever Mahaperiyava was at the Kanchi Math, countless devotees and several VIPs would visit him every day. However, everyone was equal in his presence. Whether an ordinary devotee or an important dignitary, everyone had to wait in the same queue for his darshan.
Only when Mahaperiyava noticed someone and felt moved to bless them would he personally call them forward and offer his anugraham (blessings).
The same practice was followed even when he camped at places other than the Math, although the arrangements for devotees to have his darshan would vary according to the customs and practices of that particular place.
On one such occasion, when Mahaperiyava was camping at Satara, a person who came to seek his Darshan was a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India. Mahaperiyava naturally had great respect for those entrusted with the administration of justice. That day, he engaged the judge in a conversation about several matters concerning the country.
As luck would have it, the crowd of devotees was relatively small that day, and Mahaperiyava spent a considerable amount of time conversing with the judge.
During their conversation, the judge unexpectedly posed a question to Mahaperiyava.
"Periyava, please don't take offence at what I am about to ask. There is a question that has been troubling my mind for a long time. I have been thinking about it for quite some time, but I haven't been able to find an answer. That is why I am asking you."
As the judge began with this preamble, everyone present wondered what the question could possibly be.
Mahaperiyava, maintaining his composure and a gentle smile, simply said, "Hmm... tell me."
The judge hesitantly began:
"Christians wear the cross as a symbol of their faith. Muslim men wear skullcaps, and women wear the burqa.
But as far as I know, Hindus don't seem to have any common symbol that identifies them. I feel that this is somewhat of a shortcoming.
Do we have a distinctive identity of our own? If not, could we adopt something as our common symbol? I thought it would be wonderful if Periyava could enlighten me on this."
Mahaperiyava listened quietly and smiled gently. Without uttering a word, he first pointed towards his ears. Then, touching the lower part of his earlobes, he made a gesture indicating ear piercing.
The judge looked at Mahaperiyava, unable to understand what he meant.
Mahaperiyava then explained:
"A Sethu-Himachalam... Karna Vedhanam!
From the southern tip of India to the Himalayas, ear piercing has been a tradition among Hindus.
Wearing ornaments in the ears is our identity. After all, when Thirugnana Sambandar, who had the divine vision of Lord Parameswara himself, described the Lord, did he not refer to Him as 'Thodudaiya Seviyan' (The One with ears adorned with earrings)?
If that is an identifying feature of Lord Shiva himself, why should it not be an identity for Hindus as well?"
Hearing this explanation, the judge was overjoyed.
"Yes! What you say is absolutely true! I have asked so many scholars and learned men about this. I have gone through numerous Puranas, searching for an answer. Yet I could not find one.
But you have given me the answer the very moment I asked you! My doubt has finally been resolved!"
Saying this, the judge prostrated before Paramacharya with immense happiness, received his prasadam, and departed.
A small note on the significance: Mahaperiyava's reference to Karna Vedhanam (ear piercing) highlights the traditional Hindu practice of ear piercing as a cultural and religious samskara, rather than merely an ornamentation or fashion practice. His reference to Thirugnana Sambandar's description of Lord Shiva as "Thodudaiya Seviyan" beautifully connects the practice to the Sanatani tradition.
Recently, a friend told me that she wouldn't get her daughter's ears pierced because she believes it's her daughter's body and that the decision should be hers when she's older. I've heard similar views from other friends and cousins.
As parents, we make so many decisions for our children before they're old enough to make them for themselves. We choose what they eat, what they wear, what they listen to, which school they attend, who they spend time with, how they're disciplined, and often the language, religion, values and traditions they're raised with.
When I raised this point, my friend said these other decisions are temporary, whereas piercing is permanent. But many of these decisions shape their personalities, beliefs, relationships and identities in ways that can last a lifetime. Some of those influences are far more difficult to undo than an ear piercing. Ear piercings can close up or become barely noticeable over time.
What I'm trying to understand is this: Why is ear piercing, particularly when it's culturally significant in our South Indian families and traditionally done during infancy, increasingly viewed through the lens of bodily autonomy, when so many other consequential decisions are routinely made on a child's behalf?
Here's something that made me think about this even more: I've actually heard two children say that they wish their parents had pierced their ears when they were babies. Now that they're older, they want earrings but are apprehensive about the pain, and wish they'd had it done before they were old enough to anticipate it.
Of course, two children's experiences don't settle the debate. But they do make me wonder: When we choose to pierce our children's ears, we're making a decision on their behalf. But when we choose not to, aren't we also making a decision on their behalf?
I'm genuinely curious about how others think about this.
Adithya retweeted
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Adithya retweeted
You may have already seen the viral video showing a heated exchange between a woman and a male passenger aboard the Bengaluru Metro. The woman had alleged that the fellow passenger was secretly recording her using his mobile phone.
A new development has emerged in the case. On October 30, 2026, the court granted bail to the accused.
According to media reports, the accused has been identified as 35-year-old Santosh K. T., a software engineer and resident of J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru.
The accused denied the allegations before the court, maintaining that he had not recorded any video of the woman. He also stated that his mobile phone could be subjected to forensic examination if required.
Meanwhile, the police have seized his mobile phone and sent it for forensic examination to determine whether any video of the woman was recorded or whether relevant digital evidence exists on the device.
Two important aspects of this case deserve attention.
First, registering an FIR after taking the woman's complaint seriously is an appropriate part of the legal process. Allegations concerning women's privacy and safety must never be ignored.
Second, the allegations against the accused must be established through credible evidence before a court of law. No individual should be declared guilty solely on the basis of a viral video.
It is equally important to understand that being granted bail does not mean being acquitted. The investigation is ongoing, and the final outcome must be determined through evidence and due judicial process.
Adithya retweeted
In 1674 Ekoji ( half brother of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) founded the Maratha Empire in Tamil Nadu. They went on to rule vast areas of the cauvery delta region in Tamil Nadu. In the dynasty of Maratha kings the famous & remarkable one was Raja Serfoji II. Marathas ruled Delta area for 180 years.
The Maratha rulers patronised Hindu temples, Sanskrit scholarship, religious literature and classical arts. They also governed a culturally diverse population and supported literary traditions in multiple languages.
Their rule continued several traditions inherited from earlier Nayak and Chola periods. The Maratha rulers did not replace Thanjavur's existing cultural identity; they contributed to its further development.
Along with the Maratha rulers came in the Madhava Deshastha Brahmins. The Madhwa Deshastha Brahmins are one of the oldest historically documented Brahmin communities of Maharashtra.
The Maratha kings patronised the Sanskrit scholarship of Madhwa Deshasta Brahmins in their court . In 1693, King Shahaji of Thanjavur granted land at Thiruvisanallur to 45 Madhwa Deshasta Brahmins. I am a descendant of one of the families
Marathi Deshastha Brahmins were valued for their experience in administration, accounting, Sanskrit scholarship and revenue management.
We still have our roots in Maharashtra, our family deity is Shri . Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Devi ( Amba bai)
The Marathi we speak is a little different from the one spoken in Maharashtra, result of nearly 4 centuries of separation from Native marathi speaking areas.
🙏🙏
Adithya retweeted
I believe the greatest gift you can give your kids is a calm home. It’s not the big house or the best toys that stick with them. It’s a place where they feel safe. Where mistakes are met with patience. Where voices stay low. Where hard conversations are always followed by repair. Kids absorb everything. Create peace and they'll carry it for life.
Adithya retweeted
Hello @NetflixIndia the next time you want to name a reporter character Sandhya, show her uncovering illegal sand mining, create a Tamil villain, and pick bits & pieces from MY real life story which was pitched to you TWICE in 2022 and 2023, AND not give me any credit at the least.... Think hard and well.
Thankfully it was a supremely crappy movie with ham performances and @ParineetiChopra was nothing like me. In fact she was nothing like any reporter & the newsroom portrayal was idiotic & amateurish. You've been clever enough to try & escape a lawsuit by altering the story enough.
You owe me a public apology at the very least but I'm certain you have no moral fibre in you to do so.
Shame on you all, especially the director-writer Dhruv Tripathi. Stealing other people's hard work and making money sneakily out of it.
Adithya retweeted
I do not know who Prof. Kalaiyarasan is, and I may not agree with all his views. But what happened to him can happen to any of us, and that should worry every citizen.
If the reports are true, three plainclothes policemen came to his home at 5 am, took his phone and drove him away in a rented car, over an abusive Instagram comment he says he never posted.
Whether he was behind that post or not is immaterial here. What matters is that the police can barge into your home at 5 am over an Instagram post allegedly made by you.
This is what happens when power is concentrated at the top, so far away from the people. Such police arrogance usually goes unpunished, or gets just a slap on the wrist. And that is what leads to a Sathankulam, where a father and son, ordinary unarmed citizens, were tortured to death in custody after an argument with the police.
This is what power does even to good people. It corrupts them. It makes them arrogant. It makes them feel invincible. It makes them misuse and abuse it.
That is why I always advocate distributed and decentralized power, where power is close to the people, so it can be challenged and held accountable. There is no other way to preserve people's freedom. Every other way is immoral and tyrannical. I cannot say it strongly enough.
In a complaint to the DGP, Prof. Kalaiyarasan said the police told him he was required for an inquiry at T4 Sankar Nagar police station in Pammal over an allegedly abusive comment targeting Pallavaram TVK MLA J. Kamatchi.
thehindu.com/news/national/t…
Adithya retweeted
The average weight loss with Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for someone with baseline weight of 100 kg + is about 4-5 kg per month, in my experience. (Some hyper responders even lose 10+ kgs, but this is the average)
To lose 4 kg within a week without medication is impressive- especially since the ex minister is NOT morbidly obese.
Never thought of prison as a metabolic bootcamp.
"அவர் 4 கிலோ உடல் எடை கம்மி ஆகி இருக்காரு.. சரியான உணவு கொடுக்கல.. சிறையில் தூங்கும் போது விளக்குகளை எரியவிட்டு அன்பில் மகேஷை டார்ச்சர் பண்றாங்க.." ஊழல் தடுப்பு சிறப்பு நீதிமன்றத்தில் வாதிடப்பட்டது என்னென்ன?- தி.மு.க வழக்கறிஞர் சரவணன் சொன்ன தகவல்கள்
#Chennai | #PuzhalJail | #DMK | #AnbilMaheshPoyyamozhi | #SekarBabu | #PolimerNews
Adithya retweeted
34 saal, kitne chaand, kitni yaadein… aur har saal wahi pyaar 🤗🌙
Kuch traditions waqt ke saath aur bhi khoobsurat ho jaati hain. Happy Karwa Chauth! ❤️
Adithya retweeted
"The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children"
Adithya retweeted
This is worrisome...Price of Rice has been rising in TN for the last 5-6 months continuously.
@CMOTamilnadu @PMOIndia need some help and clarity in this situation.!
I've witnessed some things happen in an extended family. Things that I cannot post here in a public forum
What I can say is that never neglect Pitru kriyas such as Shraadham, Tarpanam. Pitru Dosha will manifest in unimaginable ways
Shastra vaakyam Sathyam 🙏🏻
Shri Gurubhyo Namaha
This is what pitru dosh looks like.
3 siblings still single in late 40s and 50s.
3 siblings commit unaliving.
3 siblings in money problems.
3 siblings are diseased, one with cancer, one with paralysis, ones issues are not named yet but no one takes this step without mental problems.
1 sister left behind… who confirmed they had problems.
Please do tarpan for shradh.. seek blessings of ancestors.
Adithya retweeted
The fun thing about Ilaiyaraaja is, 50 years into the gig, he's still the MVP in any film he's part of.
Adithya retweeted
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📣IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - RARE CLASS ONLINE 📣
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🚩 VEDA GHOSHAM ANNOUNCES PRE - UPANAYANA TRAINING🔔
Preparatory Shastra class for fathers before their sons' Upanayana (Poonal/Munj/Janeu/Jenjenum/Odugu) (On Zoom)
🕉️ Are you planning your son's Upanayana (Poonal) in 2027 ?🚩
If you want to know ...
🔅 How, as a father, should you prepare yourself for your son's Upanayana?
🔅 What are the day-wise rituals and deep meaning of each step & mantras?
📖 Upanayana is done only once in your lifetime for you son, so better do it right ✔️
This class is only for those who are planning Upanayana for their son in 2027 & not for those who want to it in 2028 / want just listen for gathering knowledge.
Then register immediately on this form link - 📌 us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi…
🚩 Session 1 – 22nd Nov 2026 6:00PM to 9:00PM IST. (English Discourse)
🚩 Session 2 – 29th Nov 2026 6:00PM to 9:00PM IST. (Tamil Discourse)
Click link & Read the form well before filling it. Please note this class is not recorded & it happens only once in a year🌱
⤴️ Share it in more WhatsApp group, your social media so that someone could benefit through you. 👈🏼
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
📣IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - RARE CLASS ONLINE 📣
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🚩 VEDA GHOSHAM ANNOUNCES PRE - UPANAYANA TRAINING🔔
Preparatory Shastra class for fathers before their sons' Upanayana (Poonal/Munj/Janeu/Jenjenum/Odugu) (On Zoom)
🕉️ Are you planning your son's Upanayana (Poonal) in 2027 ?🚩
If you want to know ...
🔅 How, as a father, should you prepare yourself for your son's Upanayana?
🔅 What are the day-wise rituals and deep meaning of each step & mantras?
📖 Upanayana is done only once in your lifetime for you son, so better do it right ✔️
This class is only for those who are planning Upanayana for their son in 2027 & not for those who want to it in 2028 / want just listen for gathering knowledge.
Then register immediately on this form link - 📌 us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi…
🚩 Session 1 – 22nd Nov 2026 6:00PM to 9:00PM IST. (English Discourse)
🚩 Session 2 – 29th Nov 2026 6:00PM to 9:00PM IST. (Tamil Discourse)
Click link & Read the form well before filling it. Please note this class is not recorded & it happens only once in a year🌱
⤴️ Share it in more WhatsApp group, your social media so that someone could benefit through you. 👈🏼
Adithya retweeted
I have told my CA to divide my income equally to all non earning members post retirement. Clearly told him I don't want to see even 1₹ income tax paid for the next 30 years. My entire body shivers when I hear the word "Desh seva".
Adithya retweeted
Mam , it’s refreshing to read somebody who faced with death chronicles realisation of the inevitable. It’s a much needed reality check .
