Moi Virundhu fetches Rs 4.5 crore for Pudukai host

Unbelievable! A moi virundhu has fetched a whopping Rs 4.5 crore to a host from Vadakadu in Pudukkottai district on Thursday.

Moi Virunthu, is a unique practice that brings together large number of people just for a sumptuous meal in lieu of a ‘cash gift’ which is followed in several parts across the state. Initially, those who needed money organised moi virundhu by inviting people known to their families, both from the locality as well as other places in the Tamil months of Aadi and Avani. The reason for holding the event in these two months is that most of the people would be free of agricultural work and marriage halls would also be available as weddings won’t be conducted in Aadi.

The moi amount collected can be spent on any productive enterprise such as new business, house, child’s education or even as a bank savings. But, there should be a gap of five years between one moi virundhu and the next feast by a person. Those who contribute for the moi virundhu, will get back the money through ‘moi’ in return when they organise a similar feast.

Elders claim that the custom actually benefitted many families of a particular community in these districts but in recent times membersof several other communities were also following thispractice.

“People from all walks of life, including teachers and government employees, organise moi virundhu. People from ordinary backgrounds collect about Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, while the rich reap in crores.

The moi amount normally ranges from Rs 250 to several lakhs and people see it as an investment”, said S Palanivel from Vadakadu.

On Thursday, Krishnamurthy, who runs Mugilan Flex near Vadakadu, organised a moi virundhu and collected Rs 4.50 crore.

Interestingly, officials from IDBI bank from Alangudi branch opened help desks to count, deposit and to check counterfeit notes.

Meanwhile, CCTV cameras were installed across the kitchen and the dining area to avert any unsavoury incident. The organisers said that there around 9000 guests participated in the virundhu and private guards were deputed on security duty.