The Naming ceremony of Santror
The Naming ceremony of Santror is an event of Ayyavazhi mythology. The deity Thirumal, acting as a Pantaram (a religious person hailing from, and serving the ordinary folk), made the Seven Virgins, who were to give birth to seven boys using seven seeds from seven upper worlds (astral planes or lokas). The seven sons, known as the Santror, were reared personally by Thirumal.
One day, a grand ceremony was organized for the naming of the children. The whole pantheon of Gods and Goddesses attended the ceremony.
The eminent God Isvaran gave them the first name as Chanars because, one of the characteristics of these people was ‘perseverance in seeking and obtaining even the invisible goal’. The sage Vetha (Vethamuni) gave a name as Santror to signify the characteristics of nobility and integrity, Thirumal called them as Natalvar. Similarly, other gods and goddesses gave them very prestigious titular names. Having named them with great attributes, all the deities sang lullabies in praise of their glory. Sarasvati, the popular deity, praised them as children born with powers of knowledge, wisdom, and artistic skills and as the future kings who were going to rule the earth with justice, righteousness, and love.