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{{Short description|Hindu deity}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| name = Perumal
| image = Srinivasa Perumal idols with flowers.jpg
| caption = Perumal shrine at Mylapore, Chennai; surrounded by consorts Bhudevi and Niladevi (left) and Sridevi (right)
| god_of = God of [[Vaikuntha]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Vaikunta_Perumal_Temple_at_Kanchipur/2Nh2tgAACAAJ?hl=en | isbn=9781935677208 | title=The Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram | year=2009 | publisher=Prakriti Foundation }}</ref>
| venerated_in = [[Vaishnavism]] ([[Sri Vaishnavism]])
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]] and other 108 [[Divya Desam]]s
| mantra = [[Om Namo Narayanaya]]
| symbol = [[Shankha|Shanku]], [[Sudarshana Chakra|Chakram]]
| texts = [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]
| spouse = [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]], [[Bhudevi]], and [[Niladevi]] ([[Lakshmi]])
| mount = [[Garuda]] and [[Shesha]]
| festivals = [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi]]
| other_names = Govinda, Srinivasa, Narayana, Gopala, Venkateshvara, Vishnu
}}

'''Perumal''' ({{lang-ta|பெருமாள் |translit=Perumāl}})<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Nalini |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-AtBEAAAQBAJ&dq=perumal+god+great+one&pg=PT113 |title=Gods, Giants and the Geography of India |date=2021-09-03 |publisher=Hachette UK |isbn=978-93-91028-27-5 |language=en}}</ref> or '''Tirumal''' ({{lang-ta|திருமால்|translit=Tirumāl}}) is a [[Hindu deities|Hindu deity]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tieken |first=Herman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XyNXEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA186&dq=Tirum%C4%81l&hl=en |title=Kāvya in South India: Old Tamil Caṅkam Poetry |date=2021-12-28 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-48609-6 |pages=186 |language=en}}</ref> Perumal is worshipped mainly among [[Tamil Hindus]] in [[South India]], [[Sri Lanka]], and the [[Tamil diaspora]], who consider Perumal to be a form of [[Vishnu]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qplaAAAAcAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA532&dq=perumal+tamil+name++vishnu&hl=en |title=Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, Commercial, Industrial and Scientific: Products of the Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures. Ed. by Edward Balfour |date=1873 |publisher=[Dr.:] Scottish and Adelphi Press |pages=532 |language=en}}</ref>

Some of the earliest known mentions of Perumal, and the Tamil devotional poems ascribed to him, are found in ''[[Paripāṭal]]'' – the [[Sangam literature|Sangam era]] poetic anthology.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kamil Zvelebil|title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=degUAAAAIAAJ|year=1973|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-03591-5|page=124}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=V.N. Muthukumar|author2=Elizabeth Rani Segran|title=The River Speaks: The Vaiyai Poems from the Paripatal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnwruNVgFUkC |year=2012|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-81-8475-694-4|pages=1–7}}</ref> He is a popular [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deity particularly among [[Tamils]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] and the [[Tamil diaspora]], and in [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] temples.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Who's who in non-classical mythology|last=Sykes, Egerton |others=Kendall, Alan, 1939-|date=4 February 2014 |isbn=9781136414442|edition=2nd|location=London|oclc=872991268}}</ref> One of the richest and largest Hindu temples complexes dedicated to Perumal is the [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Venkateshvara temple]] in [[Tirupati]], Andhra Pradesh. Other significant institutions include Srirangam's [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganathaswamy]] temple, Kanchipuram's [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadaraja]] Perumal temple, and Thiruvananthapurum's [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Padmanabhaswamy]] Perumal temple.<ref>{{cite book|author=Michael D. Coogan|title=The Illustrated Guide to World Religions|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedguide00coog|url-access=registration|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-521997-5|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedguide00coog/page/148 148]–149}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
Scholars believe that both Perumal and Tirumal ultimately trace their origin to a tribal confederacy known as the [[Malla (tribe)|Mallas]] in ancient India, whose name was [[Proto-Dravidian language|Dravidian]] for "people of the mountains".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=H. Heras |title=The Dravidian Tribes of Northern India |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=10 |date=1947 |pages=83 |via=JSTOR |url=https://www-jstor-org.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/stable/44137107?searchText=Dravidian+tribes+of+northern+india&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DDravidian%2Btribes%2Bof%2Bnorthern%2Bindia&ab_segments=0%2FSYC-6704_basic_search%2Ftest-1&refreqid=fastly-default%3A86400fa1d1a1e3dbb11fda7e26afdf40&seq=9#search_tab_contents}}</ref> Both of these terms were originally titles conferred by the Mallas upon their great chiefs and kings. This title was eventually employed as an epithet for the deity Vishnu, until its original meaning was widely forgotten over the course of time. However, in some regions of Kerala, ''Perumal'' continued to be employed as its original usage as an honorific for a ruler.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Oppert |first=Gustav Salomon |title=On the Original Inhabitants of Bharatavarsa Or India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajNKCvWtdE4C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA30&dq=perumal+mal&hl=en |date=1893 |publisher=Constable |pages=30 |language=en}}</ref>

== Veneration ==
[[File:Sri Srinivasa Perumal1.jpg|thumb|260x260px|Shrine of Srinivasa Perumal]]
The deity Perumal is identified with Mayon, literally meaning, "the dark-complexioned one", who is first referenced in the texts [[Purananuru]] and [[Pattupattu]]. Regarded to be the Tamil equivalent of [[Krishna]], poetry from this period compares his dark skin to the ocean.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Raman |first=Srilata |chapter=Reflections on the King of Ascetics (''Yatirāja''): Rāmānuja in the Devotional Poetry of Vedānta Deśika |jstor=10.1163/j.ctv2gjwvrz.16 |jstor-access=free |editor=Dominic Goodall |editor2=Shaman Hatley |editor3=Harunaga Isaacson |editor4=Srilata Raman |title=Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions: Essays in Honour of Alexis G.J.S. Sanderson |page=201}}</ref> Originally a [[Dravidian folk religion|folk deity]], he was syncretised with Krishna and Vishnu, gaining popularity in the Sri Vaishnava tradition.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PT797&dq=mayon+perumal&hl=en |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |pages=797 |language=en}}</ref> His consort is stated to be [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of fortune, beauty, and prosperity, appearing in even the earliest strata of Tamil poetry.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Raman |first=K. V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vb2fAAAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=Tirum%C4%81l&q=Tirum%C4%81l&hl=en |title=Temple Art, Icons and Culture of India and South-East Asia |date=2006 |publisher=Sharada Publishing House |isbn=978-81-88934-31-7 |pages=141 |language=en}}</ref>

Mayon is indicated to be the deity associated with the ''mullai tiṇai'' (pastoral landscape) in the [[Tolkāppiyam|Tolkappiyam]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hardy |first=Friedhelm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XY42EAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA156&dq=mayon+mullai&hl=en |title=Viraha Bhakti: The Early History of Krsna Devotion |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-3816-1 |pages=156 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Clothey |first=Fred W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PC2aDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA34&dq=Tirum%C4%81l&hl=en |title=The Many Faces of Murukan: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God. With the Poem Prayers to Lord Murukan |date=2019-05-20 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |isbn=978-3-11-080410-2 |pages=34 |language=en}}</ref> He is regarded to be the only deity who enjoyed the status of ''Paramporul'' (achieving a oneness with [[Paramatman|Paramatma]]) during the [[Sangam period|Sangam age]]. He is also known as Māyavan, Māmiyon, Netiyōn, and Māl in [[Sangam literature]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Padmaja |first=T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgaS1wRnl8C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA27&dq=mayon+sangam&hl=en |title=Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu |date=2002 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-398-4 |pages=27 |language=en}}</ref> A reference to ''"Mukkol Pakavars"'' in Sangam literature indicates that only [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] saints were holding ''Tridanda'' and were prominent during the period. Tirumal was glorified as "the supreme deity", whose divine lotus feet could burn all evil and grant [[moksha]]. During the post-Sangam period, his worship was further glorified by the poet-saints called the [[Alvars]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramesh |first=M. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dAdJAQAAIAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=perumal+paramporul&q=perumal+paramporul&hl=en |title=108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams |date=1997 |publisher=T.T. Devasthanams |pages=152 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Nagendra Kr |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uec1E8DpiH8C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA34&dq=Perum%C4%81l+Tirum%C4%81l&hl=en |title=Encyclopaedia of Oriental Philosophy and Religion: A Continuing Series-- |last2=Mishra |first2=A. P. |date=2005 |publisher=Global Vision Publishing House |isbn=978-81-8220-072-2 |pages=34 |language=en}}</ref>{{Vaishnavism}}

== Hymns ==
Among the most renowned verses that hail Perumal is the ''Tirupallantu'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OQ33i496MsIC&q=a+history+of+tamil+literature+kamil |title=Tamil Literature |date=1974 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-01582-0 |pages=103 |language=en}}</ref> composed by [[Periyalvar]], one of the twelve [[Alvars]] of the [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnava]] tradition:
{{Blockquote|text=பல்லாண்டு பல்லாண்டு பல்லாயி ரத்தாண்டு

பலகோடி நூறாயிரம்

மல்லாண்ட திண்தோள் மணிவண்ணா! உன்

செவ்வடி செவ்விதிருக் காப்பு (1)

அடியோ மோடும்நின் னோடும் பிரிவின்றி ஆயிரம் பல்லாண்டு

வடிவாய் நின்வல மார்பினில் வாழ்கின்ற மங்கையும் பல்லாண்டு

வடிவார் சோதி வலத்துறை யும்சுட ராழியும் பல்லாண்டு

படைபோர் புக்கு முழங்கும்அப் பாஞ்சசன்னியமும் பல்லாண்டே (2)|author=[[Periyalvar]]|title=Tirupallantu}}{{Blockquote|text=Reverence, reverence be unto thee, O thou mighty One, who didst overcome the wrestlers, thou like to the sapphire in glory! Infinitely blest be the beauty of thy holy feet for many many years, for thousands of years, for crores of years, for ever!<br /><br />All hail! Oh may no rift come 'twixt thy slaves and thee! All hail to Sri, who dwells, thy lustre, on thy right! All hail, the glorious discus in thy fair right hand! All hail to Panchajanyam sounding in the fight!}}{{Hinduism}}

==Temples==
{{See also|Divya Desam}}Of the 108 [[Divyadesam|Divya Desam]]s that are revered according to the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints, 106 are stated to exist on earth. Prominent among these Divya Desams are:[[File:Varadharaja Perumal Temple 8.jpg|thumb|[[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]]]
* Sri Navamukundan Temple in Thirunavaya, Kerala, India
* Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, India
* Sri [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Temple]] in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
* Sri [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram|Varadaraja Perumal temple]] in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
* Sri [[Thirupalkadal Sreekrishnaswamy Temple|Thirupalkadal temple]] in [[Keezhperoor]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], Kerala, India
* Sri [[Uppiliappan temple|Oppiliappan Perumal Temple]] near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
* Sri Narashima Perumal Temple in Ahobilam, India
* Sri [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganathaswamy Temple]] in Srirangam, India
* Sri [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganathaswamy Temple]] in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
* Thirumaliruncholai ([[Kallazhagar Temple]]) in Madurai, India
* Thiruvengadam ([[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Sri Venkateswara Temple]]), in Tirupathi, India
* Thiru Narayanapuram ([[Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple|SelvaPillai Perumal Temple]]) in Melkote, India
* Aadhi Thiruvellarai (Pundarikatchan) in Thiruvellarai, India.

===Prominent Perumal Temples in India===
* Sri Sathya-Narayana Perumal Temple in T-Nagar, Chennai, India
* Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (TTD), in T-Nagar, Chennai, India
* Sri Vinavaraya Perumal Temple, in Ambattur, Chennai, India
*Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal Kovil, in Mogappair, Chennai, India
*Udumalai Tirupathi, Dhali Road, Udumalpet, India

===Sri Lanka===
* Perumal temple in [[Jaffna]], Sri Lanka

===Malaysia===
* [[Sri Sunderaraja Perumal Temple]] Klang, Malaysia
* Sri Alarmelamanga Samedha Shri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
* Sri Renganathar Temple, Kawasan Institusi Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
* Sri Varatharajah Perumal Temple, Persiaran Kewajipan, SS13, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
* Sri Perumal Temple, Simpang Morib, Selangor, Malaysia
* Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple Devastanam, Pusat Bandar Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
* Hari Krishna Perumal Temple, Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
* Sri Krishna Temple, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
* Shree Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Jalan Kasipillay, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

===United States===
* Sri Venkateswara Perumal temple in the USA
* Sri Ranganatha temple in the USA

===Singapore===
*[[Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple]], Singapore

==See also==
*[[Vishnu]]
*[[Ranganatha]]
*[[Venkateswara]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Regional Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Tamil deities]]
[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perumal}}

Perumal (deity) - Revision history

ShermanGraham8: expand lead

ImportMaster: robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.