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{{Short description|Hinduism influence in South India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Dravidian}}


'''Hinduism in South India''' refers to the [[Hindu culture]] of the people of [[South India]]. The Hinduism in South India is characterized by [[Dravidian peoples|Dravidian]] customs and traditions. The Dravidians made great contributions to development of Hinduism.<ref>{{cite book|last=Eliot|first=Charles|title=Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3)|year=2007|publisher=Echo Library|pages=12}}</ref> South India was the birthplace of many Hindu saints and reformers. The [[Brahmin]]s (Hindu priests class) of ancient South India ([[Tamilakam]], [[Telangana]], [[Karnataka]]) were classified as [[Pancha-Dravida]] (The Five Dravidians).<ref>Nārada Maha Thera, ''The Buddha-Dhamma Or the Life and Teachings of the Buddha'', p.8</ref><ref>James G. Lochtefeld, ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M'', p.205</ref> The Hindus in South India are followers of various Hindu branches such as [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]], [[Brahmanism]] and others. Hinduism was the state religion of most of the South Indian kingdoms. During the Ancient and Middle Ages were built in South India one of the greatest Hindu temples. South Indian kings such as the [[Cholas]] spread Hinduism overseas to parts of [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>Dorling Kindersley, ''India: People, Place, Culture, History'', p.85</ref> The activities of South India across the [[Palk Strait]] led to survival of [[Hinduism]] in [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka Lecture on Hindu sculpture and architecture of Sri Lanka] Sunday Times - 29 September 2010 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012234629/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka |date=12 October 2012 }}</ref> The [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Tamil]] Hindus in Sri Lanka are followers of [[Shaiva Siddhanta|Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta]], which is mainly practiced in parts of South India. Some Hindu festivals are celebrated mostly or exclusively in South India and Sri Lanka. In South India are also numerous Hindu pilgrimage site that is visited annually by thousands of devotees.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003153946/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 October 2003 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple | date=30 September 2003}}</ref> The [[Cauvery River]] that flows through [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] is also known as the "[[Ganges]] of South" and is one of the most sacred river of the Hindus.<ref>Sunita Pant Bansal, ''Hindu Pilgrimage'', p.6</ref>
{{Infobox religious group|group=South Indian Hindus|image=File:India_South_India_Locator_Map.svg|image_caption=[[States and union territories of India|States and union territories]] of [[South India]].|population=212,563,640 ([[2011 Census of India|2011]])<br/>'''84%''' of the total population|religions={{big|'''[[Hinduism]]'''}}<br/>{{Plainlist|'''Majority'''<br/>{{hlist|[[Shaivism]]}}}} {{plainlist|'''Minority'''<br/>{{hlist|[[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]] and others (including [[Tribal religions in India|tribal religion]] and [[Ayyavazhi]])}}}}|region1=[[Tamil Nadu]]|pop1=[[Hinduism in Tamil Nadu|63,188,168]]|region2=[[Andhra Pradesh]] {{small|including [[Telangana]]}}|pop2=[[Hinduism in Andhra Pradesh|74,824,149]]|region3=[[Karnataka]]|pop3=[[Hinduism in Karnataka|51,317,472]]|pop4=[[Hinduism in Kerala|18,282,492]]|region4=[[Kerala]]}}
 
'''Hinduism in South India''' refers to the [[Hindu culture]] of the people of [[South India]]. Hinduism in South India is characterized by [[Dravidian peoples|Dravidian]] customs and traditions, hence it is also called '''Dravidian Hinduism'''. The Dravidians made great contributions to the development of [[Hinduism]].{{Sfn|Elliot|2007i|p=12}} South India was the birthplace of many Hindu saints and reformers. The [[Brahmin]]s (Hindu priests class) of ancient [[Dakshinapatha]] ([[Tamilakam]], [[Telangana]], [[Karnataka]] including [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]]) were classified as [[Pancha-Dravida]] (The Five Dravidians).{{Sfn|Narad|p=8}}{{Sfn|Lochtefeld|2001l|p=203}} The Hindus in South India are followers of various Hindu branches such as [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]], [[Brahmanism]] and others. Hinduism was the state religion of most of the South Indian kingdoms. During the Ancient and Middle Ages were built in South India one of the greatest Hindu temples. South Indian kings such as the [[Cholas]] spread Hinduism overseas to parts of [[Southeast Asia]].{{Sfn|Eraly|2008i}} The activities of South India across the [[Palk Strait]] led to survival of [[Hinduism in Sri Lanka]].<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka Lecture on Hindu sculpture and architecture of Sri Lanka] Sunday Times - 29 September 2010 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012234629/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka |date=12 October 2012 }}</ref> The [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Tamil]] Hindus in Sri Lanka are followers of [[Shaiva Siddhanta|Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta]], which is mainly practiced in parts of South India. Some Hindu festivals are celebrated mostly or exclusively in South India and Sri Lanka. In South India are also numerous Hindu pilgrimage site that is visited annually by thousands of devotees.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003153946/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/30/stories/2003093003080300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 October 2003 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple | date=30 September 2003}}</ref> The [[Cauvery River]] that flows through [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] is also known as the "[[Ganges]] of South" and is one of the most sacred river of the Hindus.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|p=6}}


== Hinduism in Ancient South India ==
== Hinduism in Ancient South India ==
[[File:Tiruvarur temple car festival 2010.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Temple car festival in [[Tiruvarur]]]]{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2020}}
[[File:Tiruvarur temple car festival 2010.jpg|thumb|250px|Temple car festival in [[Tiruvarur]].|left]]
The '''Vedic culture in South India''' has been in some respects the best preserved of ancient [[Vedic period|Vedic culture]] and traditions. In North India during late ancient and medieval periods, Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam flourished alongside the Hindu majority. Every intermixing influenced North Indian culture, in particular Islam. The influence of Islam, specifically Sufism, and Sikhism are widespread in the modern-day North Indian society, clearly palpable in linguistics, music, attire, etc. Much of this influence can be attributed to close to a millennium of Muslim rule across North India. Unlike in the North, South India had less outside influence until the advent of European imperialists. As such the original Hindu traditions are relatively better preserved in South India than in North India.
The [[Vedic culture]] in [[South India]] has been in some respects the best preserved of ancient [[Vedic period|Vedic culture]] and traditions.{{Sfn|Devadevan|2016|p=78}} In North India during late ancient and medieval periods, [[Buddhism]], [[Sikhism]] and [[Islam]] flourished alongside the Hindu majority.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Subbarayalu|first=Y.|date=2011-08-01|title=Religious culture in South India|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/religious-culture-in-south-india/article2314110.ece|access-date=2021-08-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Every intermixing influenced North Indian culture, in particular Islam. The [[Islam|influence of Islam]], specifically [[Sufism in India|Sufism]], and [[Sikhism in India|Sikhism]] are widespread in the modern-day North Indian society, clearly palpable in linguistics, music, attire, etc.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gist|first=Noel P.|date=1957|title=Religion and Society in South India|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25514977|journal=The Midwest Sociologist|volume=19|issue=2|pages=61–70|jstor=25514977|issn=1948-1586}}</ref> Much of this influence can be attributed to close to a millennium of Muslim rule across North India. Unlike in the North, South India had less outside influence until the advent of European imperialists. As such the original Hindu traditions are relatively better preserved in South India than in North India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top 10 - South India Heritage and Culture|url=https://www.authenticindiatours.com/south-indian-culture-and-heritage/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Authentic India Tours|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Why north and south do not meet|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/columns/t-j-s-george/2020/jul/12/why-north-and-south-do-not-meet-2168473.html|access-date=2021-08-08|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>


Tamil literature and Tamil epics and classics have many references to Vedic gods and culture. The [[Tolkaappiyam]], 1st century BCE grammar book, mentions non-Vedic, early-Vedic ([[Indra]], [[Varuna]]) and Puranic ([[Vishnu]]) gods. The Paripadal (8; 3; 9 etc.), one of the "Eight Anthologies" of poetry (or ettuttokai), has homages to [[Vishnu]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Brahma]], the twelve [[Aditya]]s, the [[Ashvins]], the [[Rudra]]s, the [[Saptarishi]]s, [[Indra]], the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s etc. The [[Kural]], written by [[Tiruvalluvar]], mentions gods like [[Indra]] (25) and [[Lakshmi]] (e.g. 167).
[[Tamil literature]] and [[Tamil epics]] and classics have many references to Vedic gods and culture.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ranganathan|first=Shyam|date=2010-06-23|title=Bhakti movement and Tamil|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Bhakti-movement-and-Tamil/article16264564.ece|access-date=2021-08-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The [[Tolkaappiyam]], 1st century BCE grammar book, mentions non-Vedic, early-Vedic ([[Indra]], [[Varuna]]) and Puranic ([[Vishnu]]) gods. The Paripadal (8; 3; 9 etc.), one of the "Eight Anthologies" of poetry (or ettuttokai), has homages to [[Vishnu]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Brahma]], the twelve [[Aditya]]s, the [[Ashvins]], the [[Rudra]]s, the [[Saptarishi]]s, [[Indra]], the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s etc. The [[Kural]], written by [[Tiruvalluvar]], mentions gods like [[Indra]] (25) and [[Lakshmi]] (e.g. 167).{{Sfn|Eraly|2008i|p=45}}


The Sangam Tamil epic [[Silappathikaram]], begins with invocations to [[Chandra]], [[Surya]], and [[Indra]], and has homages to [[Agni]], [[Varuna]], [[Shiva]], Subrahmanya, Vishnu-Krishna, Uma, etc. The epic states that "Vedic sacrifices [are] being faultlessly performed" and has many references to Vedic culture and Vedic texts. In the Buddhist work [[Manimekhalai]], the submersion of the city Puhar in [[Kumari Kandam]] is attributed to the neglect of the worship to [[Indra]].
The Sangam Tamil epic [[Silappathikaram]], begins with invocations to [[Chandra]], [[Surya]], and [[Indra]], and has homages to [[Agni]], [[Varuna]], [[Shiva]], Subrahmanya, Vishnu-Krishna, Uma, etc. The epic states that "Vedic sacrifices [are] being faultlessly performed" and has many references to [[Vedic culture]] and [[Vedic texts]]. In the Buddhist work [[Manimekhalai]], the submersion of the city Puhar in [[Kumari Kandam]] is attributed to the neglect of the worship to [[Indra]].{{Sfn|Elliot|2007i}}


==Vedic legends==
==Vedic legends==
According to the [[Purana]]s, the Dravidians are descendants of the Vedic [[Turvashas|Turvasha]] people. According to the [[Matsya Purana]], [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]] is considered as a [[south Indian]] king.<ref>also e.g. Bhagavata Purana (VIII.24.13)</ref> In [[Hindu]] tradition the creation of the [[Tamil language]] is credited to the [[Rig Veda|Rig Vedic]] sage Rishi [[Agastya]].<ref>[http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html Michel Danino - Vedic Roots of Early Tamil Culture<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817135028/http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html |date=2013-08-17 }}</ref>
According to the [[Purana]]s, the Dravidians are descendants of the Vedic [[Turvashas|Turvasha]] people. According to the [[Matsya Purana]], [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]] is considered as a [[south Indian]] king.<ref>also e.g. Bhagavata Purana (VIII.24.13)</ref> In [[Hindu]] tradition the creation of the [[Tamil language]] is credited to the [[Rig Veda|Rig Vedic]] sage Rishi [[Agastya]].<ref>[http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html Michel Danino - Vedic Roots of Early Tamil Culture<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817135028/http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html |date=2013-08-17 }}</ref>


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*[[Hinduism in Kerala]]
*[[Hinduism in Kerala]]
*[[Hinduism in Karnataka]]
*[[Hinduism in Karnataka]]
*[[Hinduism in Andhra Pradesh]]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book|last=Elliot|first=Charles|title=Hinduism and Buddhism|publisher=Echo Library|year=2007i|isbn=978-1406862959|volume=I (of 3)|asin-tld=|author-link=Charles Elliot}}
* {{Cite book|last=Lochtefeld|first=James G.|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc|year=2001l|isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Eraly|first=Abraham|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QD2U2H8PUjoC|title=India: People, Place, Culture, History|date=2008i|publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited|isbn=978-1-4053-2904-0|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Bansal|first=Sunita Pant|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lzPCOVQGP3wC|title=Hindu Pilgrimage|date=2008|publisher=Pustak Mahal|isbn=978-81-223-0997-3|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Devadevan|first=Manu V.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZJdDwAAQBAJ&q=hinduism+in+ancient+south+india|title=A Prehistory of Hinduism|date=2016|publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG|isbn=978-3-11-051737-8|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Thera.)|first1=Nārada (Maha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yhXRDSgBuL0C|title=The Buddha-Dhamma, Or, the Life and Teachings of the Buddha|last2=Narasimhacharya|first2=Ramanujapuram|date=1999|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0559-6|pages=8|ref={{SfnRef|Narada}}|language=en}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130817135028/http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html Vedic roots of early Tamil culture]
{{Portal|Hinduism|India}}
 
*{{Citation|title=Vedic Root of Tamil culture|url=http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817135028/http://micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/tamilculture.html|archive-date=17 August 2013}}
{{Asia in topic|Hinduism in}}
{{Hinduism in India by region}}
{{Religion in India topics}}
{{Religion in India topics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinduism In South India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinduism In South India}}
[[Category:Hinduism in India]]
[[Category:Hinduism in India]]
[[Category:Hinduism in South Asia]]
[[Category:Hinduism in India by state or union territory]]
[[Category:Hinduism by location]]
[[Category:South India]]
[[Category:South India]]

Revision as of 09:15, 17 May 2022



South Indian Hindus
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Total population
212,563,640 (2011)
84% of the total population
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu63,188,168
Andhra Pradesh including Telangana74,824,149
Karnataka51,317,472
Kerala18,282,492
Religions
Hinduism
Majority
Minority

Hinduism in South India refers to the Hindu culture of the people of South India. Hinduism in South India is characterized by Dravidian customs and traditions, hence it is also called Dravidian Hinduism. The Dravidians made great contributions to the development of Hinduism.[1] South India was the birthplace of many Hindu saints and reformers. The Brahmins (Hindu priests class) of ancient Dakshinapatha (Tamilakam, Telangana, Karnataka including Maharashtra and Gujarat) were classified as Pancha-Dravida (The Five Dravidians).[2][3] The Hindus in South India are followers of various Hindu branches such as Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Brahmanism and others. Hinduism was the state religion of most of the South Indian kingdoms. During the Ancient and Middle Ages were built in South India one of the greatest Hindu temples. South Indian kings such as the Cholas spread Hinduism overseas to parts of Southeast Asia.[4] The activities of South India across the Palk Strait led to survival of Hinduism in Sri Lanka.[5] The Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka are followers of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, which is mainly practiced in parts of South India. Some Hindu festivals are celebrated mostly or exclusively in South India and Sri Lanka. In South India are also numerous Hindu pilgrimage site that is visited annually by thousands of devotees.[6] The Cauvery River that flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is also known as the "Ganges of South" and is one of the most sacred river of the Hindus.[7]

Hinduism in Ancient South India

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Temple car festival in Tiruvarur.

The Vedic culture in South India has been in some respects the best preserved of ancient Vedic culture and traditions.[8] In North India during late ancient and medieval periods, Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam flourished alongside the Hindu majority.[9] Every intermixing influenced North Indian culture, in particular Islam. The influence of Islam, specifically Sufism, and Sikhism are widespread in the modern-day North Indian society, clearly palpable in linguistics, music, attire, etc.[10] Much of this influence can be attributed to close to a millennium of Muslim rule across North India. Unlike in the North, South India had less outside influence until the advent of European imperialists. As such the original Hindu traditions are relatively better preserved in South India than in North India.[11][12]

Tamil literature and Tamil epics and classics have many references to Vedic gods and culture.[13] The Tolkaappiyam, 1st century BCE grammar book, mentions non-Vedic, early-Vedic (Indra, Varuna) and Puranic (Vishnu) gods. The Paripadal (8; 3; 9 etc.), one of the "Eight Anthologies" of poetry (or ettuttokai), has homages to Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, the twelve Adityas, the Ashvins, the Rudras, the Saptarishis, Indra, the Devas etc. The Kural, written by Tiruvalluvar, mentions gods like Indra (25) and Lakshmi (e.g. 167).[14]

The Sangam Tamil epic Silappathikaram, begins with invocations to Chandra, Surya, and Indra, and has homages to Agni, Varuna, Shiva, Subrahmanya, Vishnu-Krishna, Uma, etc. The epic states that "Vedic sacrifices [are] being faultlessly performed" and has many references to Vedic culture and Vedic texts. In the Buddhist work Manimekhalai, the submersion of the city Puhar in Kumari Kandam is attributed to the neglect of the worship to Indra.[15]

Vedic legends

According to the Puranas, the Dravidians are descendants of the Vedic Turvasha people. According to the Matsya Purana, Manu is considered as a south Indian king.[16] In Hindu tradition the creation of the Tamil language is credited to the Rig Vedic sage Rishi Agastya.[17]

See also

References

  1. Elliot 2007i, p. 12.
  2. Narad, p. 8.
  3. Lochtefeld 2001l, p. 203.
  4. Eraly 2008i.
  5. Lecture on Hindu sculpture and architecture of Sri Lanka Sunday Times - 29 September 2010 Archived 12 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 September 2003. Archived from the original on 3 October 2003.
  7. Bansal 2008, p. 6.
  8. Devadevan 2016, p. 78.
  9. Subbarayalu, Y. (1 August 2011). "Religious culture in South India". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  10. Gist, Noel P. (1957). "Religion and Society in South India". The Midwest Sociologist. 19 (2): 61–70. ISSN 1948-1586. JSTOR 25514977.
  11. "Top 10 - South India Heritage and Culture". Authentic India Tours. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  12. "Why north and south do not meet". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  13. Ranganathan, Shyam (23 June 2010). "Bhakti movement and Tamil". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  14. Eraly 2008i, p. 45.
  15. Elliot 2007i.
  16. also e.g. Bhagavata Purana (VIII.24.13)
  17. Michel Danino - Vedic Roots of Early Tamil Culture Archived 2013-08-17 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography

External links

Template:Hinduism in India by region Template:Religion in India topics