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Thoranam (Tamil: தோரணம் IAST Tōraṇam) are hanging decorations in Tamil Nadu. Rooted in Tamil culture it got a history way back to the Sangam period. The main purpose it was used on those days, since no printed invitations, to differentiate whether it is a happy occasion or mourning for the people who visit that place. It is made up of tender coconut leaf blades and has two types.
Thoranam in a song sung by 8th century Andal pasuram, Nachiar Tirumozhi of Divya Prabandha in Tamil literature
வாரணம் ஆயிரம் சூழ வலம் செய்து
நாரண நம்பி நடக்கின்றான் என்றெதிர்
பூரண பொற்குடம் வைத்துப் புறமெங்கும்
தோரணம் நாட்டக் கனாக்கண்டேன் தோழீ நான்
Meaning : I had a dream O friend! The town was decked with festoons and golden urns. Surrounded by a thousand caparisoned elephants our Kannan came towards me ( to marry )
She explains her dream about the marriage to Krishna to her friend and the decorations made in the wedding hall.
Types
Another thoranam is Maavilai Thoranam made up of mango tree leaves which will be tied up on the main door of a temple or house for auspicious. Mango leaves are good disinfectant which helps when there is a gathering of people for festivals are good occasions.
Veppilai thoranam is made up of Neem leaves where veepam (neem) + ilai(leaf) = veppilai. Neem is a very good disinfectant for various diseases like small pox and mysterious fever especially during the summer season. In Tamil nadu the Amman(Paarvathi) festivals were celebrated during summer and neem leaves are very prominently hung in temples, houses and streets.