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{{Short description|Hindu god of victory and war}} | |||
{{Redirect|Muruga|the 2007 film|Muruga (film)}} | |||
{{Redirect|Murugan|the people with the name|Murugan (surname)}} | |||
{{About||given names see [[Karthikeyan]], [[Karthik (disambiguation)|Karthik, Kartik]] or|Karthika (disambiguation)}} | |||
{{Pp-move-dispute|small=yes}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} | |||
{{Infobox deity | {{Infobox deity | ||
| type | | type = Hindu | ||
| image | | image = Gombak Selangor Batu-Caves-01.jpg | ||
| alt | | alt = Lord Muruga in Malaysia Batu Caves | ||
| caption | | caption = Large statue of Murugan in [[Batu Caves]] temple | ||
| affiliation | | affiliation = [[Brahman]] ([[Kaumaram]]), [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]] | ||
| father | | father = [[Shiva]] | ||
| mother | | mother = [[Parvati]] | ||
| other_names | | other_names = Murugan, Mahasena, Subramanya, Kumara, Skanda, Saravana, Arumugan, Devasenapati, Shanmukha, Guha, Swaminatha, Velayuda, Vēļ{{sfn|Kumar|2008|p=179}}{{sfn|Pillai|2004|p=17}} | ||
| god_of | | god_of = God of Victory and War<br>Commander of the Devas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Tamil_Traditions_on_Subrahma%E1%B9%87ya_Muruga/nnIcAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=murugan+commander+devas&dq=murugan+commander+devas&printsec=frontcover |title=Tamil Traditions on Subrahmaṇya-Murugan - Kamil Zvelebil - Google Books |date=2007-02-05 |accessdate=2022-10-04}}</ref> | ||
| day = [[Tuesday]] | |||
| weapon = [[Vel]] | |||
| mantra = Om Saravana Bhava <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/lord-kartikeya |title=Lord Kartikeya, Birth of Lord Kartikeya, , Lord Murugan, Story of Lord Kartikeya – Rudraksha Ratna |access-date=2018-06-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117075322/http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/lord-kartikeya |archive-date=17 November 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> <br/> | |||
| | Vetrivel Muruganukku Arohara <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kaumaram.com/articles/arohara_e.html|title=The meaning of arohara|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911110727/http://kaumaram.com/articles/arohara_e.html|archive-date=11 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| mantra | | planet = [[Mangala]], [[Mars]] | ||
| planet | | consort = {{unbulleted list|[[Devasena]]<!--as per Sanskrit scriptures. Valli is not mention in these texts-->|[[Valli]] {{refn|group=note|Kartikeya's marital status varies from region to region. In Northern India, he is generally considered celibate. The Sanskrit scriptures only mention Devasena (also known as [[Shashthi]]) as his wife, while in South Indian traditions, he has two wives — Devayanai (identified with Devasena) and Valli.{{sfn|Dalal|2010}}{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} }}}} | ||
| | | mount = [[Indian peafowl|Peacock]] | ||
| | | siblings = [[Ganesha]] (brother) | ||
| mount | | abode = [[Six Abodes of Murugan|Āṟupadai veedu (Six Abodes of Murugan)]], [[Palani Hills]], [[Mount Kailash]] | ||
| siblings | | festivals = {{Bulleted list | ||
|abode | | [[Sooranporu|Skanda Sashti]] or [[Shashthi (day)|Shashthi]] | ||
| festivals | | [[Thaipusam]] | ||
| | | [[Karthikai Deepam]] | ||
| [[Panguni Uthiram]] | |||
| [[Vaisakha | Vaikaasi Visakam]] | |||
| [[Kartik Purnima]] | |||
| [[Mahashivarathri]] | |||
}} | |||
| gender = Male | |||
| symbol = [[Rooster]] | |||
| name = Kartikeya | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Kaumaram}} | |||
Murugan is | '''Kartikeya''' ({{lang-sa|कार्त्तिकेय|Kārttikeya}}), also known as '''Skanda''',{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=377}} '''Subrahmanya''', '''Shanmukha''' ({{IAST3|Ṣaṇmukha}}), and '''Murugan''' ({{lang-ta|முருகன்}}), is the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[List of war deities|god of war]].{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}}{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} He is the son of [[Parvati]] and [[Shiva]], the brother of [[Ganesha]] and a god whose legends have many versions in Hinduism.{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2006|p=228}} Kartikeya has been an important deity in the [[Indian subcontinent]] since ancient times, worshipped as Mahasena and Kumara in North India and is predominantly worshipped in the state of Tamil Nadu and other parts of [[South India]], Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia as Murugan. | ||
Murugan is | Murugan is widely regarded as the "God of the [[Tamils|Tamil]] people".<ref>{{cite web |title=Murugan {{!}} Tamil deity {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Murugan |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-01-22 |title=Tracing the roots of the Tamil God |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/tracing-the-roots-of-the-tamil-god/article6808508.ece |access-date=2022-05-10 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It has been postulated that the [[Dravidian folk religion|Tamil]] deity of Murugan was syncretised with the [[Vedas|Vedic]] deity of Subrahmanya following the [[Sangam era]]. Both Muruga and Subrahmanya refer to Kartikeya.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}}{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2006|p=228}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Murukan Temples in Singapore|url=http://murugan.org/temples/singapore_temples.htm|access-date=2021-10-19|website=murugan.org}}</ref> | ||
The iconography of Kartikeya varies significantly; he is typically represented as an ever-youthful man, riding or near an [[Indian peafowl]], called Paravani,<ref>{{cite web|title=::: ENVIS :::|url=http://ecoheritage.cpreec.org/Viewcontall.php?$mFJyBfK$MkoNJ@juGYO|access-date=2021-06-19|website=ecoheritage.cpreec.org}}</ref> bearing a [[vel]] and sometimes with an [[Cock flag|emblem of a rooster]] upon his banner. Most icons show him with only one head, but some show him with six heads which reflect the legend surrounding his birth.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}}{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2006|p=228}} He is described to have aged quickly from childhood, becoming a philosopher-warrior, destroyed the demons [[Tarakasura]], Simhamukha and [[Surapadma]], and taught the pursuit of an ethical life and the theology of [[Shaiva Siddhanta]].{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} He has inspired many poet-saints, such as the aforementioned [[Arunagirinathar]].{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}}{{sfn|Lal|1992|p=4339}} | |||
Murugan is an ancient god, traceable to the [[Vedic period]]. He was hailed as 'Palaniappa' (Father of [[Palani]]), the tutelary deity of the [[Sangam landscape|Kurinji]] region whose cult gained immense popularity in the south. Sangam literature has several works on Murugan such as ''[[Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai|Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai]]'' by Nakkirar and ''[[Thiruppugal|Thirupugal]]'' by poet-saint Arunagirinathar. Archaeological evidence from the 1st-century CE and earlier,<ref name=":0" /> where he is found with the Hindu god [[Agni]] (fire), suggests that he was a significant deity in early Hinduism.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}} He is found in many medieval temples all over India, such as the [[Ellora Caves]] and [[Elephanta Caves]].{{sfn|Gopinatha Rao|1993|p=40}} | |||
Murugan is found as a primary deity in temples wherever communities of the [[Tamil people]] live worldwide, particularly in the [[Tamil Nadu]] state of [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Mauritius]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Africa]], [[Canada]], and [[Réunion]]. The [[Six Abodes of Murugan|Aru Padai Veedu]] are the six temples of Tamil Nadu that are dedicated to him.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} The [[Kataragama|Kataragama temple]] dedicated to him in [[Sri Lanka]] attracts Tamils, [[Sinhalese people]] and [[Vedda people]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book|first=G |last=Obeyesekere | editor=Jacob Kẹhinde Olupona|title=Beyond Primitivism: Indigenous Religious Traditions and Modernity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qK5bre18YkQC&pg=PA272 |year=2004|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-27319-0|pages=272–274}}</ref> He is also found in other parts of India, sometimes as Skanda, but in a secondary role along with Ganesha, Parvati and Shiva.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}} | |||
== Etymology and nomenclature == | |||
[[File:Skanda, from Kannuaj.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Sculpture of the god Skanda, from [[Kannauj]], North India, circa 8th century.]] | |||
== | Kartikeya means "of the Krittikas".{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}} This epithet is linked to his birth. According to Hindu legends, when Kartikeya appears on the banks of the River Ganga, he is seen by the six of the seven brightest stars of [[Kṛttikā]] [[nakshatra]] ([[Pleiades]]). These stars, personified as his mothers, all wanted to take care of him and nurse the baby Kartikeya. Kartikeya ended the dispute by growing five more heads in order to have a total of six heads so that he could look at all six mothers and let them each nurse one aspect of him.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Srinivasan|1997|pp=302-303, 333-334}} | ||
{{ | |||
[[ | He has 108 names according to Tamil and Sanskrit folklore.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-10-26|title=108 Murugar Names Tamil {{!}} 108 முருகர் போற்றி|url=https://aanmeegam.co.in/blogs/lyrics/108-murugar-names-tamil/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Aanmeegam|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=சுப்பிரமணிய 108 போற்றி பாடல் வரிகள்|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/religion/pooja-vidhanam/lord-subramanya-swamy-108-potri-names-in-tamil/articleshow/80346661.cms|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Samayam Tamil|language=ta}}</ref> | ||
[[ | |||
{{ | Kartikeya is known by many names in ancient and medieval texts. Most common amongst these are Murugan, Kumara, Skanda, and Subrahmanya. Others include Aaiyyan, Cheyyon, Senthil, Vēlaṇ, Swaminatha ("ruler of the gods", from -natha ''king''), śaravaṇabhava ("born amongst the reeds"), Arumugam or ṣaṇmukha ("six-faced"),<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= 80|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Dandapani ("wielder of the mace", from -pani ''hand''), Guha (cave, secret) or ''Guruguha'' (cave-teacher), Kadhirvelan, Kathiresan, Kandhan, Vishakha, and Mahasena.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1, 22-25, 35-39, 49-58, 214-216}} On ancient coins where the inscription has survived along with his images, his names appear as Kumara, Brahmanya, or Brahmanyadeva.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=104-106 with footnotes}} On some ancient Indo-Scythian coins, his names appear in Greek script as Skanda, Kumara, and Vishaka.<ref name="Edward Thomas 1877 60, 62 see e.g. coin 11">{{cite book|first= Edward|last= Thomas|title= Jainism: Or, The Early Faith of Aṣoka|url= https://archive.org/details/cu31924022953529|year= 1877|publisher= Trübner & Company|pages= [https://archive.org/details/cu31924022953529/page/n95 60], 62 (see e.g. coin 11)|access-date= 28 January 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170610060016/https://archive.org/details/cu31924022953529|archive-date= 10 June 2017|url-status= live}}</ref> In ancient statues, he appears as Mahasena, Skanda, and Vishakha.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=123-124}} | ||
Skanda is derived from {{IAST|skand-}}, which means "to leap or to attack".{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49, 54-55}} In Kalidasa's epic poem Kumarasambhava ("The Birth of the War God"; 5th century CE), as in most versions of the story, the gods wished for Skanda to be born in order to destroy the demons Taraka, Simhamukha, and Surapadma, in which the brothers had been granted a boon that he could be killed only by Shiva's power (Skanda was purely born of Shiva). They sent Parvati to induce Shiva to marry her. Shiva, however, was lost in meditation and was not attracted to Parvati until he was struck by an arrow from the bow of Kamadeva, the god of love, whom he immediately burned to ashes. After many years of abstinence, Shiva's seed became so powerful that the gods, fearing the result, sent Agni, the god of fire, to interrupt Shiva's amorous play with Parvati. Agni received the seed and dropped it into the Ganges from which Skanda was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Skanda|title=Skanda {{!}} Hindu deity|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203193129/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Skanda|archive-date=3 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Textual references == | |||
=== Ancient === | |||
There are ancient references which can be interpreted to be Kartikeya in the Vedic texts, in the works of [[Pāṇini]] (~500 BCE), in the Mahabhasya of [[Patanjali]] and in Kautilya's ''Arthashastra''.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-53}} For example, the term ''Kumara'' appears in hymn 5,2 of the ''[[Rig Veda]]''.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-51}}{{refn|group=note|'''कुमारं''' माता युवतिः समुब्धं गुहा बिभर्ति न ददाति पित्रे । अनीकमस्य न मिनज्जनासः पुरः पश्यन्ति निहितमरतौ ॥१॥ कमेतं त्वं युवते कुमारं पेषी बिभर्षि महिषी जजान । पूर्वीर्हि गर्भः शरदो ववर्धापश्यं जातं यदसूत माता ॥२॥ हिरण्यदन्तं शुचिवर्णमारात्क्षेत्रादपश्यमायुधा मिमानम् । ददानो अस्मा अमृतं विपृक्वत्किं मामनिन्द्राः कृणवन्ननुक्थाः ॥३॥ क्षेत्रादपश्यं सनुतश्चरन्तं सुमद्यूथं न पुरु शोभमानम् । न ता अगृभ्रन्नजनिष्ट हि षः पलिक्नीरिद्युवतयो भवन्ति ॥४॥ (...) [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/ऋग्वेद:_सूक्तं_५.२ Hymn 5.2, Wikisource];<br>English: "The youthful Mother keeps the Boy in secret pressed to her close, nor yields him to the Father. But, when he lies upon the arm, the people see his unfading countenance before them. [5.2.1] What child is this thou carriest as handmaid, O Youthful One? The Consort-Queen hath bome him. The Babe unborn increased through many autumns. I saw him born what time his Mother bare him. [5.2.2] I saw him from afar gold-toothed, bright-coloured, hurling his weapons from his habitation, What time I gave him Amrta free from mixture. How can the Indraless, the hymnless harm me? [5.2.3] I saw him moving from the place he dwells in, even as with a herd, brilliantly shining. These seized him not: he had been born already. They who were grey with age again grow youthful. [5.2.4]<br>– Translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith, [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_5/Hymn_2 Wikisource]}} The ''Kumara'' of verse 5.2.1 can be interpreted as Skanda, or just any "boy". However, the rest of the verses depict the "boy" as bright-colored, hurling weapons and other motifs that later have been associated with Skanda. The difficulty with interpreting these to be Skanda is that Indra, Agni and Rudra are also depicted in similar terms and as warriors.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=46-51}} | |||
[[File:Kumara, The Divine General LACMA M.85.279.3.jpg|thumb|upright|Kartikeya with a [[Kushan]] devotee, 2nd century CE.]] | |||
The Skanda-like motifs found in ''Rig Veda'' are found in other Vedic texts, such as section 6.1-3 of the ''Shatapatha Brahmana''.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=48-50}} In these, the mythology is very different for ''Kumara'', as Agni is described to be the ''Kumara'' whose mother is [[Ushas]] (goddess Dawn) and whose father is Purusha.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-51}} The section 10.1 of the ''Taittiriya Aranyaka'' mentions ''Sanmukha'' (six faced one), while the ''Baudhayana Dharmasutra'' mentions a householder's rite of passage that involves prayers to Skanda with his brother Ganapati (Ganesha) together.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=50-51}} The chapter 7 of the ''[[Chandogya Upanishad]]'' (~800–600 BCE) equates Sanat-Kumara (eternal son) and Skanda, as he teaches sage [[Narada]] to discover his own [[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]] (soul, self) as a means to the ultimate knowledge, true peace and liberation.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49-50}}<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n271/mode/2up The Thirteen Principal Upanishads] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525171448/https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n271/mode/2up |date=25 May 2017 }}, Robert Hume, Oxford University Press, pages 250-262</ref>{{refn|group=note|Verse 7.26.2 states Kumara is Skanda, but there are stylistic differences between this verse and the rest of the chapter. This may be because this verse was interpolated into the text at a later date.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n283/mode/2up/search/skanda The Thirteen Principal Upanishads] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525171448/https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n283/mode/2up/search/skanda |date=25 May 2017 }}, Robert Hume, Oxford University Press, page 262 with footnote 3</ref>}} | |||
[[File:YaudheyaCoin.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Coins of the [[Yaudheyas]] feature Kartikeya, and these are dated to 1st century CE [[Haryana]], [[Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]].{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-103}}]] | |||
According to Fred Clothey, the evidence suggests that Kartikeya mythology had become widespread sometime around 200 BCE or after in north India.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=45-46}} The first clear evidence of Kartikeya's importance emerges in the Hindu [[Itihasa|Epics]] such as the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'' where his story is recited. In addition to textual evidence, his importance is affirmed by the archeological, the epigraphical and the numismatic evidence of this period. For example, he is found in numismatic evidence linked to the [[Yaudheya]]s, a confederation of warriors in north India who are mentioned by ancient Pāṇini.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} They ruled an area consisting of modern era Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (extending into [[Pauri Garhwal district|Garhwal]] region, Uttarakhand).{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} They struck coins bearing the image of Skanda, and these coins are dated to be from before [[Kushan Empire]] era started.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} During the Kushan dynasty era, that included much of northwest [[Indian subcontinent]], more coins featuring Kartikeya were minted.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=101-105 with footnotes}} He is also found on ancient Indo-Scythian coins, where his various names are minted in Greek script.<ref name="Edward Thomas 1877 60, 62 see e.g. coin 11"/>{{refn|group=note|Richard Mann states that Skanda-Kumara may be composite deity linked to Greek deities pair called [[Castor and Pollux|Dioscuri]] (Castor and Pollux), given the numismatic overlap in their iconography and similar warrior-god mythologies.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Benjamin|last1=Fleming|first2=Richard|last2=Mann|title=Material Culture and Asian Religions: Text, Image, Object|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kDYsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA234|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-01373-8|pages=234–246|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422051359/https://books.google.com/books?id=kDYsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA234|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
Kartikeya was revered in major cultural centers of ancient India. For example, he was a major god for the [[Ikshvaku]]s, an [[Andhra in Indian epic literature|Andhra]] dynasty, as well as for the [[Gupta Empire]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Ratna Navaratnam; Karttikeya, the divine child:the Hindu testament of wisdom, 1973, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> In south India, eight of the early [[Pallava dynasty]] rulers (300-550 CE) were named after Skanda or Kumara, suggesting the significance of Kartikeya by then.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=22}} Kalidasa's epic poem the ''[[Kumārasambhava]]'' features Kartikeya. | |||
=== Puranas === | |||
Kartikeya is mentioned in Shaiva Puranas. Of these, the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' is the largest ''[[Puranas#Mahapuranas|Mahāpurāṇa]]'', a genre of eighteen [[Hindu]] religious texts.<ref>Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare (1996). ''Studies in {{IAST|Skanda Purāṇa}}.'' Published by Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|81-208-1260-3}}</ref> The text contains over 81,000 verses, and is part of [[Shaivism|Shaivite]] literature,{{Sfn|Bakker|2014|pp=4-6}} While the text is named after Skanda (Kartikeya), he does not feature either more or less prominently in this text than in other Shiva-related Puranas.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=114, 229-238}} The text has been an important historical record and influence on the Hindu traditions related to war-god Skanda.{{Sfn|Rocher|1986|pp=114, 229-238}}<ref>KK Kurukkal (1961), A Study of the Karttikeya Cult as reflected in the Epics and the Puranas, University of Ceylon Review, Vol. 19, pages 131-138</ref> The earliest text titled ''Skanda Purana'' likely existed by the 6th-century CE,{{sfn|Mann|2011|p=187}}{{Sfn|Bakker|2014|pp=1-3}} but the ''Skanda Purana'' that has survived into the modern era exists in many versions.{{Sfn|Doniger|1993|pp=59-83}} | |||
===Buddhism=== | |||
[[File:Skanda Bodhisattva.jpeg|thumb|upright|Skanda Bodhisattva is the [[Dharma]] protector in [[Mahayana Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Robert E. Buswell Jr.|author2=Donald S. Lopez Jr.|title=The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DXN2AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA452|year=2013|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-4805-8|page=452|access-date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421110855/https://books.google.com/books?id=DXN2AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA452|archive-date=21 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Above: Skanda's statue in [[Anhui]] province, China.]] | |||
The earliest mention of Kartikeya in Buddhist texts may be found in the [[Janavasabha Sutta]] of the [[Pali Canon]], where he is referred to as '''Sanankumāra'''. Here he is introduced as a deva of the rank of Mahābrahmā and a disciple of the Buddha. The Chinese translation of the [[Dīrgha Āgama]] features the same deity with the title Brahmā[sanan]kumāra (梵童子). He is described as a manifestation of Mahābrahmārāja. He has five hair coils (頭五角髻), a handsome face (顏貌端正) and emanates purple-golden light (紫金色) that surpasses the light of the other devas. In Chinese Buddhism, [[Skanda (Buddhism)|Skanda]] (also sometimes known as [[Kumāra (Buddhism)|Kumāra]] (鳩摩羅天)) is known as Weituo (韋陀 or 韋馱), a young heavenly general, the guardian deity of local monasteries and the protector of Buddhist [[dharma|dhamma]].{{sfn|Mann|2011|p=32 with footnote 24}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Angela Falco Howard|title=Chinese Sculpture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PGuPsNCaJdwC&pg=PA380|year=2006|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0-300-10065-5|pages=373, 380–381|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062102/https://books.google.com/books?id=PGuPsNCaJdwC&pg=PA380|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Henrik Sørensen, this representation became common after the [[Tang period]], and became well established in the late Song period.<ref name= Henrik124>{{cite book|first=Henrik|last=Sørensen|editor-first1=Charles|editor-last1=Orzech|editor-first2=Henrik|editor-last2=Sørensen|editor-first3=Richard|editor-last3=Payne|title=Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F0XNX3N1a2AC&pg=PA124|year=2011|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-18491-6|pages=124–125, 654–655 with footnotes|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062150/https://books.google.com/books?id=F0XNX3N1a2AC&pg=PA124|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also regarded as one of the [[Twenty-Four Protective Deities|twenty-four celestial guardian deities]], who are a grouping of originally Hindu and Taoist deities adopted into Chinese Buddhism as [[dharmapala]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/275253538|title=A dictionary of Chinese Buddhist terms : with Sanskrit and English equivalents and a Sanskrit-Pali index|date=2004|publisher=RoutledgeCurzon|others=Lewis Hodous, William Edward Soothill|isbn=0-203-64186-8|location=London|oclc=275253538}}</ref> Skanda was also adopted by [[Korean Buddhism]], and he appears in its woodblock prints and paintings.<ref name= Henrik124/> | |||
According to Richard Gombrich, Skanda has been an important deity in [[Theravada Buddhism]] pantheon, in countries such as [[Sri Lanka]] and Thailand. The ''Nikaya Samgraha'' describes Skanda Kumara as a guardian deity of the land, along with Upulvan (Vishnu), Saman and Vibhisana.<ref name="Gombrich1988p176">{{cite book|author1=Richard Francis Gombrich|first2=Gananath|last2=Obeyesekere|title=Buddhism Transformed: Religious Change in Sri Lanka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpN9atSFua0C&pg=PA176|year=1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0702-0|pages=176–180|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420061833/https://books.google.com/books?id=rpN9atSFua0C&pg=PA176|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, the 16th-century Siamese text ''Jinakalamali'' mentions him as a guardian god. | |||
In Sri Lanka, Skanda as [[Kataragama deviyo]] (whose major shrine is at [[Kataragma]]), is a popular object of devotion among both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists. While many regard him as a [[bodhisattva]], he is also associated with sensuality and retribution. Anthropologist [[Gananath Obeyesekere]] has suggested that the deity's popularity among Buddhists is due to his power to grant emotional gratification, which is in stark contrast to sensual restraint that characterizes Buddhist practice in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Trainor |editor1-first=Kevin |title=Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=0-19-521849-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/buddhism00kevi/page/123 123] |url=https://archive.org/details/buddhism00kevi/page/123 }}</ref> There are Buddhist Sinhala shrines such as at Kataragama dedicated to Skanda which have historically been officiated by Hindu priests, which attracted Buddhist devotees and enjoyed royal support.<ref name="Gombrich1988p176"/> Since the 1950s, states Brian Morris, the Kataragama shrine of Skanda has attracted over half a million devotional pilgrims every year, most being Buddhists.<ref>{{cite book|first=Brian|last=Morris|title=Religion and Anthropology: A Critical Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PguGB_uEQh4C&pg=PA68|year=2006|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-85241-8|pages=68–69|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420060010/https://books.google.com/books?id=PguGB_uEQh4C&pg=PA68|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Kevin|last=Trainor|title=Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_PrloTKuAjwC&pg=PA123|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-517398-7|pages=123–124|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062439/https://books.google.com/books?id=_PrloTKuAjwC&pg=PA123|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In [[Mahayana Buddhism]], the [[Nirvana Sutra|Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra]] mentions Kumāra as one of the eighty gods (八十神) worshiped by the common people. The ''[[Ārya Kaṇikrodhavajrakumārabodhisattava Sādhanāvidhi Sūtra]]'' (聖迦抳忿怒金剛童子菩薩成就儀軌經) (T 1796) features a section for the recitation of a mantra dedicated to the deity, where he is also paired with [[Iśvara]]. [[Yi Xing]]'s [[Commentary of the Mahāvairocana Tantra]] (大毘盧遮那成佛經疏) clarifies that Kumāra is the son of Iśvara.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chia |first1=Siang Kim |title=鳩摩羅天 |url=http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?q=%E9%B3%A9%E6%91%A9%E7%BE%85%E5%A4%A9 |website=Digital Dictionary of Buddhism |access-date=2019-11-05 |date=2016}}</ref> | |||
===Jainism=== | |||
According to Asko Parpola, the Jain deity [[Naigamesha|Naigamesa]], who is also referred to as Hari-Naigamesin, is depicted in early Jain texts as riding the peacock and as the leader of the divine army, both symbols of Kartikeya.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}} | |||
== Iconography == | |||
Ancient coins of the Yaudheyas, dated to 1st and 2nd century CE, show Kartikeya as a warrior with either one or six heads. Kushan coins show him with one head. In general, single head is far more common regardless of which dynasty minted them.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=111-114}} The earliest statues discovered in Punjab and Kashmir show him with either one or six heads. The oldest sculptures such as those found in Mathura show him with one head, while six head iconography is dated to post-[[Gupta Empire]] era.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=113-114, 122-126}} All Kushan Empire era artwork show him with one head, even though there are Kushan deities such as a goddess who is shown with multiple heads.{{sfn|Srinivasan|1997|pp=302-303, 333-334}} | |||
The Kushan Empire era statues of Kartikeya, dated to 1st and 2nd-century CE, have been found at various sites in the Indian subcontinent, particularly at [[Mathura]] and [[Gandhara]]. They show him as a warrior dressed in ''dhoti'' (sheet wrapped at waist, covering the legs), armour like a warrior, spear in his right hand and a bird (rooster) in his left.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=122-126}}{{sfn|Srinivasan|2007|pp=333-335}} There is some difference between his ancient iconography in Mathura and Gandhara artwork. The Gandhara arts show him in more a Scythian dress, likely reflecting the local dress culture prevalent in those times. Further, it is in the oldest Gandharan statues where he is shown with a bird that looks like a chicken or cock.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=124-126}} According to Richard Mann, the bird may symbolize Kartikeya's agility and maneuverability as a warrior god, and may be a [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]] influence.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=124-126}} His iconography symbolizes his attributes as a hunter, warrior and philosopher.<ref name=xavier167/> | |||
Kartikeya iconography shows him as a youthful god, dressed as a warrior, carrying the weapon called ''[[Vel]]''. It is a divine spear, often called ''sakti'', signifying the [[Kundalini]] ''shakti''.<ref>{{cite web|date=2016-11-13|title=Significance of Lord Kartikeya and a story from Skanda Purana|url=https://wisdom.srisriravishankar.org/significance-of-lord-kartikeya/|access-date=2021-06-19|website=Wisdom by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar|language=en-US}}</ref> He is sometimes depicted with many weapons including: a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow although more usually he is depicted wielding the ''sakti'' or spear. His ''vahana'' (vehicle, mount) is a peacock. He has either one head or six, depending on the region or artist.{{sfn|Mann|2011|pp=123-126 with footnotes}}{{sfn|Srinivasan|2007|pp=333-336, 515-516}} | |||
== Legends == | |||
[[File:Skanda Musée Guimet 1197.jpg|thumb|upright|Skanda statues are found in [[Southeast Asia]]. Above: 6th–8th century Skanda from [[Prey Veng Province]], Cambodia.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Guy|title=Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vO_-AgAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|isbn=978-1-58839-524-5|pages=176–178|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223141140/https://books.google.com/books?id=vO_-AgAAQBAJ|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>]] | |||
The Epic era literature of ancient India recite numerous legends of Kartikeya, often with his other names such as Skanda. For example, the ''[[Vana Parva]]'' of the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' dedicates chapters 223 to 232 to the legends of Skanda, but depicts him as the son of [[Agni]] and Svaha.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=50-51}} Similarly, Valmiki's ''[[Ramayana]]'' dedicates chapters 36 and 37 to Skanda, but describes him as the child of deities Rudra (Shiva) and Parvati, whose birth is aided by Agni and Ganga.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=51}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=54}} | |||
The legends of Kartikeya vary significantly, sometimes within the same text. For example, while the ''Vana Parva'' of the ''Mahabharata'' describes Skanda as the son of Agni, the ''[[Shalya Parva]]'' and the ''[[Anushasana Parva]]'' of the same text presents Skanda's legend as the son of Maheshvara (Shiva) and Parvati.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=50-51}} | |||
In ''Vana Parva'', the circumstances behind Kartikeya's birth legend do not involve Shiva and Parvati.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=51-52}} Rather it is deity Agni who goes to a hermitage of seven married [[Rishi]]s (sages) and meets their seven wives. He is sexually attracted to all seven, but none reciprocate. ''Svaha'' is present there and she is attracted to Agni, but Agni is not. According to the legend, Svaha takes the form of six of the wives, one by one, and sleeps with Agni.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=51-52}} She does not take the form of Arundhati, [[Vasistha]]'s wife, because of Arundhati's extraordinary virtuous powers. Svaha deposits the semen of Agni into the reeds of River Ganges, where it develops and then is born as six headed Skanda.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=51-52}} | |||
A totally different legend in the later books of the ''Mahabharata'' make Shiva and Parvati as the parents. They were making love, but they are disturbed, and Shiva inadvertently spills his semen on the ground.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}} Shiva's semen incubates in River Ganges, preserved by the heat of god Agni, and this fetus is born as baby Kartikeya on the banks of Ganges.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=49, 54-55}} | |||
Some legend state that he was the elder son of Shiva, others make him the younger brother of Ganesha. This is implied by another legend connected to his birth. Devas have been beaten up by Asuras led by Taraka, because Taraka had a boon from ascetic celibate yogi Shiva that only Shiva's son can kill him. Devas learn about this boon, and plan how to get Shiva into a relationship. So, they bring Parvati into the picture, have her seduce yogi Shiva, and wed Parvati so that Skanda can be born to kill Taraka.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=54-56}} | |||
Kartikeya's legends vary by region. For example, in the northern and western Indian traditions Kartikeya or Skanda is the perpetual celibate bachelor, though Sanskrit texts mention [[Devasena]] as his wife.{{sfn|Dalal|2010}}{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} Kartikeya's youth, beauty and bravery was much celebrated in Sanskrit works like the [[Kathasaritsagara]]. [[Kalidasa]] made the birth of Kumara the subject of a lyrical epic, the ''[[Kumārasambhava]]''.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=51}}<ref name="google1985">{{cite book|author1=Kālidāsa|author2=C.R. Devadhar (Translator)|title=Kumara-Sambhava of Kalidasa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7zRx24MG4UEC|year=1985|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0012-0|pages=iii-viii|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062451/https://books.google.com/books?id=7zRx24MG4UEC|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Worship== | |||
=== West Bengal === | |||
[[File:Kartik Puja of West Bengal 2007.jpg|thumb|Worship of Kartikeya in West Bengal, with toys (right side of image)]] | |||
In West Bengal, Kartikeya is associated with the birth of children. He is worshipped on the last day of the Month of Kartik (October–November). It has become a trend in Bengal that the clay model of the deity is kept at night before the day of worship (usually by friends) for the newly married couple before the door of their house. The deity is worshiped the next day in the evening and is offered toys.<ref>7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik</ref> | |||
The deity is also worshipped during the [[Durga Puja]] festival in Bengal. Goddess [[Durga]] is accompanied by her four children [[Lakshmi]], [[Saraswati]], [[Ganesha]], and Kartikeya. Kartikeya is the youngest of them visualized as a young man, riding a peacock and wielding a bow and arrows. He is stated to be Kumara, that is, a bachelor as he is unmarried. While Ganesha is paired with the rich Lakshmi, Kartikeya is paired with the learned Saraswati.<ref>7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik, {{ISBN|9789386224033}}, Durga and Saraswati's Secret (Chapter 4 & 6)</ref> | |||
=== Rest of India === | |||
Temples also exist in the rest of India in [[Kartikeya Temple, Pehowa|Pehowa]] in [[Haryana]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kartikeya Temple |url=http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/kartikeya-temple |website=Haryana tourism |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164553/http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/kartikeya-temple |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Rudraprayag]] in [[Uttarakhand]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Himalaya's hidden gem: Pilgrimage to Karthik Swami temple |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/himalaya-s-hidden-gem-pilgrimage-to-karthik-swami-temple/photo-CnFdW09ITDt3zKjIxgKnIM.html |access-date=23 August 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=1 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208112027/https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/himalaya-s-hidden-gem-pilgrimage-to-karthik-swami-temple/photo-CnFdW09ITDt3zKjIxgKnIM.html |archive-date=8 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> with Kartik swami temples in [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]] and [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kulludussehra.hp.gov.in/devtas-of-manali/kartik-swami/|title = Official website for Kullu Dussehra}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bharmourview.com/bharmour/chaurasi-temple/kelang-or-kartikeya-temple|title = Kelang or Kartikeya Temple - Bharmour View}}</ref> | |||
=== Nepal === | |||
Kartikeya is worshipped as Kumar in Nepal both by Hindu and Buddhist Communities.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} The Newah community celebrates Sithi Nakha: Festival dedicated to Sithi Kumar. Sithi Nakha (Kumar Shashthi) is celebrated on this sixth day of the waxing moon, according to the lunar calendar, in the Lunar month of Jestha. The festival is celebrated by cleaning water sources like wells, ponds and stone spouts and ending it with a grand Newah feast of six different varieties of Newarhi food including Wo or Waa (fried lintel bread) and Chatamari (Newah pizza). | |||
The Festival is traditional Environment day as houses, courtyards, streets and allies are cleaned during this day. It is believed that cleaning such water sources will bring in rain for good cultivation of crops. It is also celebrated to welcome monsoon as this was the ideal time to set up rice seedbeds. The most of Newah communities also mark the festival as the end of Dewaali, to worship their family deities. | |||
===Andra Pradesh === | |||
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he is worshipped as Subrahmanya, Kumara Swamy, Skanda, Subba Rayudu or depending on the place. Important temples include [[Mopidevi]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple |url=http://www.mopidevitemple.org/# |website=Official website of temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815170438/http://www.mopidevitemple.org/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Biccavolu]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Subrahmanya Devalayam |url=https://srisubrahmanyadevalayam.com/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822154936/http://srisubrahmanyadevalayam.com/ |archive-date=22 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Skandagiri, [[Secunderabad]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Official website of temple |url=https://www.srisubrahmanyaswamydevalayamskandagiri.org/ |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806003509/http://srisubrahmanyaswamydevalayamskandagiri.org/ |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Temple, Skandagiri, Secunderabad |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g679014-d2476339-Reviews-Sri_Subrahmanyaswamy_Temple_Skandagiri_Secunderabad-Secunderabad_Hyderabad_Distri.html |website=Trip Advisor |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164224/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g679014-d2476339-Reviews-Sri_Subrahmanyaswamy_Temple_Skandagiri_Secunderabad-Secunderabad_Hyderabad_Distri.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Mallam<ref>{{cite web |title=Mallamu Subramanyaswamy temple |url=https://www.prudwi.com/temples/andhrapradesh/mallamu-subramanya-swamy-temple/509 |website=Prudwi |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815171327/https://www.prudwi.com/temples/andhrapradesh/mallamu-subramanya-swamy-temple/509 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy Temple, Mallam |url=http://1nellore.com/426/sri-subramanyeswara-swamy-temple-mallam/ |website=1nellore |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164602/http://1nellore.com/426/sri-subramanyeswara-swamy-temple-mallam/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><!--There are at least 3 places of that name in AP--> and as Bala Subrahmanya on Indrakeeladri, Vijayawada.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ilamurugan|date=2019-04-21|title=Hindu Temples of India: Subramanya Swamy Temple, Kothapet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh|url=http://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/subramanya-swamy-temple-kothapet-vijayawada-andhra-pradesh.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Hindu Temples of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Vijayawada, Indrakeeladri Hill Temple|url=https://www.vijayawadaonline.in/city-guide/sri-subramanya-swamy-temple-in-vijayawada|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.vijayawadaonline.in}}</ref> | |||
=== Karnataka === | |||
In Karnataka, the deity that is worshipped as Subrahmanya where he is regarded as Lord of the serpents in temples like [[Kukke Subramanya Temple]],<ref>{{cite web | |||
|url=http://www.mangalore.com/documents/subramanya.html | |||
|title=Kukke Subrahmanya Temple | |||
|access-date=2018-08-15 | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428165151/http://www.mangalore.com/documents/subramanya.html | |||
|archive-date=28 April 2010 | |||
|url-status=dead | |||
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kukke.org/en/home.aspx |title=Kukke Subramanya temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164346/https://www.kukke.org/en/home.aspx |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Ghati Subramanya]]. | |||
== Murugan == | |||
[[File:Murugan by Raja Ravi Varma.jpg|thumb|upright|The six-headed Murugan riding a peacock with his consorts Valli and Devasena, The peacock is seen trampling a snake by [[Raja Ravi Varma]].]] | |||
Murugan is an ancient god, traceable to the [[Vedic period]]. He was hailed as 'Palaniappa' (Father of [[Palani]]), the tutelary deity of the [[Sangam landscape|Kurinji]] region whose cult gained immense popularity in the south. Sangam literature has several works on Murugan such as ''Tirumugratrupadai'' by Nakkirar and ''[[Thiruppugal|Thirupugal]]'' by poet-saint Arunagirinathar. Archaeological evidence from the 1st-century CE and earlier,<ref name=":0" /> where he is found with the Hindu god [[Agni]] (fire), suggests that he was a significant deity in early Hinduism.{{sfn|Parpola|2015|p=285}} He is found in many medieval temples all over India, such as the Kumaraswamy Temple Sandur <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kumaraswamy Temple Sandur {{!}} Ballari District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://ballari.nic.in/en/tourist-place/kumaraswamy-temple-sandur/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Ellora Caves]] and [[Elephanta Caves]]{{sfn|Gopinatha Rao|1993|p=40}} | |||
Murugan is found as a primary deity in temples wherever communities of the [[Tamil people]] live worldwide, particularly in the [[Tamil Nadu]] state of [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Mauritius]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Africa]], [[Canada]], and [[Réunion]]. The [[Six Abodes of Murugan|Aru Padai Veedu]] are the six temples of Tamil Nadu that are dedicated to him.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} The [[Kataragama|Kataragama temple]] dedicated to him in [[Sri Lanka]] attracts Tamils, [[Sinhalese people]] and [[Vedda people]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book|first=G |last=Obeyesekere | editor=Jacob Kẹhinde Olupona|title=Beyond Primitivism: Indigenous Religious Traditions and Modernity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qK5bre18YkQC&pg=PA272 |year=2004|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-27319-0|pages=272–274}}</ref> | |||
===Textual references=== | |||
The ''[[Tolkāppiyam]]'', one of the most ancient texts of the Tamil literature, mentions ''cēyōṉ'' "the red one", who is identified with Murugan, whose name is literally ''Murukaṉ'' "the youth"; the other gods referred to in the ''Tolkāppiyam'' are ''Māyōṉ'' "the dark one" (identified with [[Vishnu]]), ''Vēntaṉ'' "the sovereign" (identified with [[Indra]]) and ''[[Korravai]]'' "the victorious" (identified with [[Kali]]) and [[Varuna|''Varunan'']] "the sea god".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjoRAAAAYAAJ&q=tolkappiyam+varuna|title=Journal of Tamil Studies, Volume 1|date=1969|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies|page=131|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060321/https://books.google.no/books?id=ZjoRAAAAYAAJ&q=tolkappiyam+varuna&dq=tolkappiyam+varuna&hl=no&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiloMXV6bnXAhXiDZoKHXyuDMAQ6AEILTAB|archive-date=13 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Extant [[Sangam literature]] works, dated between the third century BCE and the fifth century CE glorified Murugan, "the red god seated on the blue peacock, who is ever young and resplendent," as "the favoured god of the Tamils."<ref name="sangam">Kanchan Sinha, Kartikeya in Indian art and literature, Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan (1979).</ref> Korravai is often identified as the mother of Murugan.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Korravai Korravai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031924/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Korravai |date=7 November 2017 }} ''2017-11-1.'' Britannica Online</ref> | |||
In the ''Tirumurukāṟtruuppaṭai'', he is called ''Murugu'' and described as a god of beauty and youth, with phrases such as "his body glows like the sun rising from the emerald sea". It describes him with six faces each with a function, twelve arms, his victory over evil, and the temples dedicated to him in the hilly regions.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/TheSmileOfMuruganOnTamilLiteratureOfSouthIndia/01.theSmileOfMurugan#page/n137/mode/1up The Smile of Murugan on Tamil Literature of South India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223013006/http://archive.org/stream/TheSmileOfMuruganOnTamilLiteratureOfSouthIndia/01.theSmileOfMurugan#page/n137/mode/1up |date=23 February 2017 }}, by Kamil Zvelebil (1973), E.J. Brill, pages 125-127</ref> | |||
The ancient Tamil lexicon ''Pinkalandai'' identifies the name Vēļ(வேள்) with the slayer of [[Tarakasura|Taraka]], that is Murugan among other things.{{refn|group=note|Not only are king of Chalukyas defined as "Velpularasar" in the Tamil lexicons but the name Vel is expressly stated to have belonged to them as stated in the following passage of ''Pinkalandai'':Vēļ means either the slayer of Taraka, the king of Chalukyas or the god of love.{{sfn|Kumar|2008|p=179}}{{sfn|Pillai|2004|p=17}}}} Sangam literature ([[Paripatal]]) refers to Murugan as ''Sevvēļ'' (செவ்வேள் meaning the red Vēļ) and as ''Neduvēļ'' (நெடுவேள் meaning the tall Vēļ).{{sfn|Ramanujan|2014|p=22}}{{sfn|Balasubrahmanyam|1966|p=8}}{{sfn|Subramanian|1978|p=161}} In Tamil, the word ''Murukku'' means to kill or slay as in to destroy evil or [[Asura]]s.{{sfn|Meenakshi|1997|p=23}} | |||
=== Theology === | |||
{{Quote box | |||
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| quote = '''Guha (Muruga)''' | |||
<poem> | |||
You who has form and who is formless, | |||
you who are both being and non-being, | |||
who are the fragrance and the blossom, | |||
who are the jewel and its lustre, | |||
who are the seed of life and life itself, | |||
who are the means and the existence itself, | |||
who are the supreme guru, come | |||
and bestow your grace, O Guha [Murugan] | |||
</poem> | |||
| source = —''Kantaranuputi 51'', [[Arunagirinathar]]<br>(Translator: Kamil Zvelebil)<ref>{{cite book|first=Kamil|last=Zvelebil|title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=degUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA243|year=1973|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-03591-5|page=243|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420064157/https://books.google.com/books?id=degUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA243|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
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}} | |||
There is extensive Hindu symbolism and theology associated with Muruga. Regardless of the variance among the legends, his birth is in difficult circumstances, he is born through a surrogate after being left near a river. He is raised not by his natural mother but a host of mothers, but later he is a part of his biological family. Muruga symbolizes a union of polarities.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=3}} He is handsome warrior and described as a celibate yogi. He uses his creative martial abilities to lead an army against Taraka and other demons, and described as a philosopher-warrior.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} He is a uniter, championing the attributes of both [[Shaivism]] and [[Vaishnavism]].{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=3-4}} | |||
His theology is most developed in the Tamil texts,{{sfn|Lal|1992|p=4339}} and in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|pp=655-656}}{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=1-2}} He is described as ''dheivam'' (abstract neuter divinity, ''nirguna Brahman''), as ''kadavul'' (divinity in nature, in everything), as ''Devan'' (masculine deity), and as ''iraivativam'' (concrete manifestation of the sacred, ''saguna Brahman'').{{sfn|Clothey|1978|pp=10-14}} | |||
According to Fred Clothey, as Murugan (also referred to as Murugan, Cheyyon), he embodies the "cultural and religious whole that comprises South Indian Shaivism".{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=3}} He is the philosopher and exponent of Shaiva Siddhanta theology, as well as the patron deity of the Tamil language.<ref name=xavier167>{{cite book|author=S. Xavier Alphonse|title=Kanthapura to Malgudi: Cultural Values and Assumptions in Selected South Indian Novelists in English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rp9lAAAAMAAJ|year=1997|publisher=Prestige|isbn=978-81-7551-030-2|page=167|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420062026/https://books.google.com/books?id=rp9lAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}, Quote: "He [Skanda] has been hunter, warrior, philosopher. He is the teacher and inspiration of literature and arts. He is the eternal child, as old as time itself, yet as young as every new beginning. He is the handsome hero and lover, the wise Primordial One."</ref>{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/n416 450]}}<ref>{{cite book|first=Vijaya|last=Ramaswamy|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC&pg=PA152|year=2007|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6445-0|pages=152–153|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419200045/https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC&pg=PA152|archive-date=19 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Legends === | |||
[[File:Karttikeya, God of War, Seated on a Peacock.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Basalt Murugan seated on a peacock from 12th-century [[Andhra Pradesh]].]] | |||
According to Raman Varadara, Murugan was originally a Tamil deity, who was adopted by north Indians.{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} He was the god of war and knowledge in the Dravidian legends, and became so elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent too.{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} In contrast, [[G. S. Ghurye]] states that according to the archeological and epigraphical evidence, the contemporary Murugan, Subrahmanya and Kartikeya is a composite of two influences, one from south and one from north in the form of Skanda and Mahasena.<ref name=ghurye152/> He as the warrior-philosopher god was the patron deity for many ancient northern and western Hindu kingdoms, and of the [[Gupta Empire]], according to Ghurye. After the 7th-century, Skanda's importance diminished while his brother Ganesha's importance rose in the west and north, while in the south the legends of Murugan continued to grow.<ref name=ghurye152>{{cite book|author=Govind Sadashiv Ghurye|title=Indian Acculturation: Agastya and Skanda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HLMtAAAAMAAJ|year=1977|publisher=Popular Prakashan|pages=152–167|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105231228/https://books.google.com/books?id=HLMtAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=5 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=S. Devadas Pillai|title=Indian Sociology Through Ghurye, a Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P3uD22Ghqs4C&pg=PA159|year=1997|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7154-807-1|pages=159–160|access-date=19 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420060016/https://books.google.com/books?id=P3uD22Ghqs4C&pg=PA159|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Norman Cutler, Kartikeya-Murugan-Skanda of South and North India coalesced over time, but some aspects of the South Indian iconography and mythology for Murugan have remained unique to Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite book|first=Norman|last=Cutler|editor-first=Gavin|editor-last=Flood|title=The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SKBxa-MNqA8C|year=2008|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-99868-7|page=146|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223102025/https://books.google.com/books?id=SKBxa-MNqA8C|archive-date=23 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the Tamil legends he has two consorts, Devayanai (identified with Devasena) and [[Valli]].{{sfn|Dalal|2010}}{{sfn|Varadara|1993|pp=113-114}} Many of the major events in Murugan's life take place during his youth, and legends surrounding his birth are popular in Tamil Nadu. This has encouraged the worship of Murugan as a child-God, very similar to the worship of the child Krishna in north India.{{sfn|Clothey|1978|p=51}}<ref name="google1985"/> | |||
=== Worship === | |||
==== Southern India ==== | |||
[[File:முருகன் வீதி உலா.jpg|thumb|Murugan with Valli (on left of image) and Devayanai (on right of image).]] | |||
Murugan is a major deity among the Hindus of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]], [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]]. | |||
Murugan is considered the god of Tamil language and he is mentioned a lot in Sangam literature.<ref name="sangam" /> The [[Six Abodes of Murugan|six abodes of Murugan]], together referred to as ''Aru Padaiveedu'' ({{lang-ta|ஆறுபடை வீடு }}), that are mentioned in Thirumurugatrupadai, written by [[Nakkeerar]] and in Thirupugal, written by Arunagirinathar.<ref>{{cite book|last1=hithra Madhavan|first1=Prema Kasturi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_HwMAQAAMAAJ&q=Nakkeerar+|title=South India Heritage: An Introduction|publisher=East West Books (madras) Pvt Ltd|year=2007|isbn=978-8188661640|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Outlook|first1=Travelers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1DtuAAAAMAAJ&q=Arunagirinathar|title=Outlook Publishing (India)|date=July 30, 2008|publisher=8189449036|isbn=978-8189449032|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> Each of these temples, all in Tamil Nadu, has a unique history and different reason to worship Murugan:<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Clothey|first1=Fred W.|year=1972|title=Pilgrimage Centers in the Tamil Cultus of Murukan|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion|volume=40|issue=1|pages=79–95|doi=10.1093/jaarel/XL.1.79|jstor=1461919}}</ref> | |||
* [[Palani Murugan Temple]] | |||
* [[Swamimalai Murugan Temple]] | |||
* [[Thiruchendur Murugan Temple]] | |||
* [[Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple]] | |||
* [[Thiruthani Murugan Temple]] | |||
* [[Pazhamudircholai|Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple]] | |||
[[File:Thiruchendur Temple Rajagopuram.JPG|thumb|upright|Rajagopuram of [[Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Thiruchendur Murugan Temple]], [[Tamil Nadu]]]] | |||
Temples in Kerala dedicated to Subrahmanya (as Kartikeya is known in the region) include [[Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple|Haripad]], [[Neendoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple|Neendoor]], [[Kidangoor Subramanya Temple|Kidangoor]], [[Kodumbu Subramanya Swamy Temple|Kodumbu]], [[Panmana]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//index.php/preview/festival_info?fest_id=813 |website=Kerela Tourism |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193434/https://www.keralatourism.org/1000festivals//index.php/preview/festival_info?fest_id=813 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Payyanur]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mathew |first1=Biju |title=Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage |date=September 2017 |publisher=Info Kerala Communications |isbn=978-8192128443 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_II5DwAAQBAJ&q=Subramanya+Swamy+temple+in+%5B%5BPayyanur%5D%5D&pg=PA377 |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> The temple to him in Udayanapuram is historically connected to the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|temple to his deity father, Shiva, in Vaikom]]. | |||
Festivals pertaining to Murugan are: | |||
* Thai Poosam during January – February month is celebrated as a 6-day festival. On Thai Poosam day, Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Chhedanagar. Special Abhishekams are performed to the Moolavar and Utsavar. Annadhanam is provided to all devotees participating in the functions. In the night, Murugan is taken in procession accompanied by Nadaswaram, Veda Parayanam around Chhedanagar. | |||
* Vaikasi Visakam day, (during May –June month), Kavadis and Palkudams are taken by devotees in procession around Chhedanagar. | |||
* Skanda Sashti during October–November month is celebrated as a 6-day festival. Spiritual discourses by learned scholars and/or music concerts by popular artists from South or from Mumbai are organized. | |||
==== Malaysia ==== | |||
[[File:Thaipusam idols.jpg|thumb|upright|Thaipusam festivities near the [[Batu Caves]], Malaysia]] | |||
Murugan is revered by the Tamil people in [[Malaysia]] and other South-East Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. [[Thaipusam]] is one of the important festivals celebrated. Sri Subramanyar Temple at [[Batu Caves]] temple complex in Malaysia is dedicated to Murugan, which has a 42.7-m-high statue of Murugan at the entrance, the largest Murugan statue in the world.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Star |first1=The |title=Tallest statue of deity unveiled |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/01/31/tallest-statue-of-deity-unveiled/ |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200705/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/01/31/tallest-statue-of-deity-unveiled/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Batu Caves |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Batu-Caves |website=Britannica |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815170927/https://www.britannica.com/place/Batu-Caves |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> There are some other temples in Malaysia such as: | |||
* Kallumalai Temple in [[Ipoh]]<ref name="malaysianTemples" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=A |first1=Jeyaraj |title=Hindu Temples In Ipoh |url=http://www.ipohecho.com.my/v4/article/2016/07/16/hindu-temples-in-ipoh |website=ipohecho |access-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220525/http://www.ipohecho.com.my/v4/article/2016/07/16/hindu-temples-in-ipoh |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ipoh Kallumalai Murugan Temple, Ipoh |url=https://www.inspirock.com/malaysia/ipoh/ipoh-kallumalai-murugan-temple-a8364696527 |website=Inspirock |access-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220538/https://www.inspirock.com/malaysia/ipoh/ipoh-kallumalai-murugan-temple-a8364696527 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
* [[Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, Penang]] and [[Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, Penang]] | |||
* Sannayasi Andavar Temple in Cheng, [[Malacca]]<ref name="malaysianTemples">{{cite web |title=Tour Information |url=http://www.ichss.org/tour.html |website=ICHSS |access-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027134159/http://www.ichss.org/tour.html |archive-date=27 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=10,000 celebrate Masi Magam festival Sannayasi Andavar Temple in Cheng |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/03/31/10000-celebrate-masi-magam-festival-sannayasi-andavar-temple-in-cheng/ |access-date=2 September 2018 |agency=The Star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902183850/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/03/31/10000-celebrate-masi-magam-festival-sannayasi-andavar-temple-in-cheng/ |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
*[[Sri Marathandavar Bala Dhandayuthapani Alayam]], [[Maran, Pahang]] | |||
*[[Sri Kandaswamy Kovil, Brickfields]], [[Kuala Lumpur]] | |||
==== Sri Lanka ==== | |||
In Sri Lanka Muruga is worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamils as Murugan and also by the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] as [[Kataragama deviyo]] , a guardian deity of [[Sri Lanka]]. Numerous temples exist throughout the island. He is a favourite deity of the common folk everywhere and it is said he never hesitates to come to the aid of a devotee when called upon. In the deeply Sinhalese south of Sri Lanka, he is worshipped at the [[Kataragama temple]], where he is known as Kathiravel or Kataragama deviyo. Local legend holds that Murugan alighted in Kataragama and was smitten by Valli, one of the local girls. After a courtship, they were married. This event is taken to signify that Murugan is accessible to all who worship and love him, regardless of their birth or heritage. The [[Nallur Kandaswamy temple]], the [[Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple]] and the Sella Channithy Temple near Valvettiturai are the three foremost Murugan temples in [[Jaffna]]. The Chitravelayutha temple in Verukal on the border between Trincomalee and Batticaloa is also noteworthy as is the Mandur Kandaswamy temple in Batticaloa. The late medieval-era temple of the tooth in [[Kandy]], dedicated to the tooth relic of the Buddha, has a Kataragama deiyo shrine adjacent to it dedicated to the veneration of Skanda in the Sinhalese tradition. Almost all Buddhist temples house a shrine room for Kataragama deviyo reflecting the significance of Murugan in Sinhala Buddhism. | |||
[[File:Nallur Kandasamy front entrance.jpg|thumb|The Sri Lankan [[Nallur Kandaswamy temple]] (Jaffna) is dedicated to Murugan.]] | |||
By the 16th century, the Kataragama temple had become synonymous with the worship of Skanda-Kumara who was a guardian deity of Sinhala Buddhism.<ref name=P>{{cite journal|last=Pathmanathan|first=S|author-link=S. Pathmanathan|date=September 1999|title=The guardian deities of Sri Lanka: Skanda-Murgan and Kataragama|journal=The Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies|publisher=The institute of Asian studies|url=http://kataragama.org/research/pathmanathan.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926205619/http://kataragama.org/research/pathmanathan.htm|archive-date=26 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The town was popular as a place of pilgrimage for Hindus from India and Sri Lanka by the 15th century. The popularity of the deity at the Kataragama temple was also recorded by the Pali chronicles of Thailand such as Jinkalmali in the 16th century. There are a number of legends both Buddhist and Hindu that attribute supernatural events to this very locality.<ref name=P/> Scholars such as Paul Younger and [[Heinz Bechert]] speculate that the rituals practiced by the native priests of Kataragama temple indicate Vedda ideals of propitiation. Hence, they believe that the area was important in Vedda culture and was later taken over by Buddhists and Hindus in the medieval period.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bechert|first=Heinz|author-link=Heinz Bechert|year=1970|title=Skandakumara and Kataragama: An Aspect of the Relation of Hinduism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka|journal=Proceedings of the Third International Tamil Conference Seminar|publisher=International Association of Tamil Research|location=Paris|url=http://kataragama.org/research/bechert.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925212357/http://kataragama.org/research/bechert.htm|archive-date=25 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
==== United Kingdom ==== | |||
[[File:London Sri Murugan Temple, Manor Park, E12 3.jpg|thumb|upright|A Murugan Temple known as London Sri Murugan Temple located at [[Manor Park, London|Manor Park]], [[London]].]] | |||
There are a lot of Murugan Temples in the United Kingdom that are built by [[British Tamil]]s. Sri Murugan Temple at [[Manor Park, London|Manor Park]] in [[London]] and Murugan Temple in Highgate Hill, [[London]] to name a few.<ref>{{cite web |title=HIGHGATEHILL MURUGAN TEMPLE |url=https://www.highgatehillmurugan.org/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=www.highgatehillmurugan.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.londonsrimurugan.org/index.html |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=The London Sri Murugan Temple |language=en}}</ref> Throughout the year Tamils in [[United Kingdom]], celebrate Murugan Festivals like [[Thaipusam]], [[Soorasamharam|Skanda Shasti]], [[Karthika Deepam|Karthikai Deepam]], Vaikasi Visakam, [[Maha Shivaratri|Mahasivarathri]] in grand fashion.<ref name="easterneye1">{{cite web |date=2022-07-27 |title=More than 15,000 people attend London Sri Murugan Temple chariot festival |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/more-than-15000-people-attend-london-sri-murugan-temple-chariot-festival/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=EasternEye |language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
Tamil devotees of Murugan take part in Kavadi possession on Thaipusam day every year and this practice is followed by Tamils in Europe and North America as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kavadi |url=https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/kavadi/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Tamil and Vedas |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hooked On Faith: Discovering Kaavadi Aattam In Quebec |url=https://tamilculture.com/hooked-on-faith |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=TamilCulture.com |language=en}}</ref> It's worth to take note of the temple chariot (Ther) procession every year organized by the London Sri Murugan Temple. It was estimated that more than 15000 people attended during the annual event in 2022.<ref name="easterneye1"/> | |||
The Highgate Hill Murugan Temple also known as Archway Murugan Temple located in [[London]] is a famous temple with the main deity as Murugan. In 1966, Hindu [[British Tamil]]s formed the Hindu Association of Great Britain to foster the tamil [[Shaiva Siddhanta|Saiva Siddhanta]] religion and its form of worship and be a unifying force among Tamils from various parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Highgatehill Murugan Temple |url=http://www.highgatehillmurugan.org/History.html |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.highgatehillmurugan.org}}</ref> In 1973, a [[Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Thiruchendur Murugan]] [[Murti|vigraham]] (statue) was specially made from [[Kumbakonam]] was installed with special rites in October 1973. The advent of the Murugan vigraham and the regular abhishekams and poojas further intensified religious fervour. Subsequently, to meet the spiritual needs of the devotees of Murugan, a Temple was built in 1979. [[Prana Pratishtha|The Prana Prathishtha]] for Murugan at this temple was held on the auspicious day of Vaikasi Visakam in May 1982. The temple celebrates all Murugan festivals along with an annual [[Temple car|temple chariot]] festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=HIGHGATEHILL MURUGAN TEMPLE |url=http://www.highgatehillmurugan.org/index.html |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.highgatehillmurugan.org}}</ref> | |||
===Other countries=== | |||
[[Sri Thendayuthapani Temple]] is a major Hindu temple in [[Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Home Page of Sri Thendayuthapani Temple |url=http://www.sttemple.com/sri-thendayuthapani-temple/about-st-temple.html |website=Official website of temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706030159/http://www.sttemple.com/sri-thendayuthapani-temple/about-st-temple.html |archive-date=6 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Murugan temples also exist in several western countries like United States of America,<ref>{{cite web |title=Shiva Murugan Temple |url=https://www.shivamurugantemple.org/ |website=Shiva Murugan Temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414232132/http://www.shivamurugantemple.org/ |archive-date=14 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hindu temple headed for banks of Deep River |url=https://chathamnewsrecord.com/stories/hindu-temple-headed-for-banks-of-deep-river,1845?/ |newspaper=The Chatham News + Record |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite web |title=Explanation of Deities |url=http://www.sivananda.org/temple/deities.php |website=Official website of temple |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822204801/http://www.sivananda.org/temple/deities.php |archive-date=22 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite web |title=HIGHGATEHILL MURUGAN TEMPLE |url=https://www.highgatehillmurugan.org/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809065851/http://highgatehillmurugan.org/ |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The London Sri Murugan |url=http://www.londonsrimurugan.org/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809144124/http://londonsrimurugan.org/ |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leicester Shri Murugan (Hindu) Temple |url=http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1141315 |website=Registered charities in England |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194443/http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0®id=1141315 |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Murugan Temple |url=http://www.goleicestershire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2532266 |website=Official visitor website for Leicestershire |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023039/http://www.goleicestershire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2532266 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lord Murugan Temple |url=https://www.skandavale.org/lord-murugan-temple/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194729/https://www.skandavale.org/lord-murugan-temple/ |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydeny Murugan Temple |url=http://www.sydneymurugan.org.au/murugan2/index.php/services/daily-opening-times |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194442/http://www.sydneymurugan.org.au/murugan2/index.php/services/daily-opening-times |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Perth Bala Murugan |url=http://www.perthmurugan.org.au/OurTimings.aspx |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816194707/http://www.perthmurugan.org.au/OurTimings.aspx |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kundrathu Kumaran Temple |url=http://www.kumarantemple.org.au/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816232007/http://www.kumarantemple.org.au/ |archive-date=16 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> New Zealand,<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand Thirumurugan Temple |url=http://nzmurugan.org.nz/ |website=Official website of temple |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815125050/http://nzmurugan.org.nz/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Reeves |first1=Peter |title=The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora |date=March 7, 2014 |publisher=Didier Millet |isbn=978-9814260831 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N5UAgAAQBAJ&q=Kurinji+Kumaran+Temple+in+%5B%5BWellington&pg=PA173 |access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Germany<ref>{{cite web |title=Architectural History – Sri Mayurapathy Murugan Temple Berlin |url=http://en.mayurapathy-murugan-berlin.com/architectural-history/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |language=de-DE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Unusual sightseeing in Berlin: a Hindu temple beside a highway |url=http://www.secretcitytravel.com/berlin-august-2014/unusual-sights-in-berlin-hindu-temple.shtml |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=www.secretcitytravel.com |language=en}}</ref> and Switzerland.<ref name="religionenschweiz">{{cite web|url=http://www.religionenschweiz.ch/hinduismus.html |title=Hinduismus :::: Religionen in der Schweiz / Religions en Suissse :::: Universität Luzern |date=2 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215200913/http://religionenschweiz.ch/hinduismus.html |archive-date=15 February 2015 }}</ref> | |||
== Explanatory notes == | |||
{{reflist|group=note}} | |||
== References == | |||
=== Citations === | |||
{{reflist|30em}} | |||
=== General bibliography === | |||
{{Refbegin|40em}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Hans|last=Bakker|title=The World of the Skandapurāṇa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6p2XCgAAQBAJ| year=2014| publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-27714-4}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Fred W.|last=Clothey|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC |year =1978|publisher= Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-90-279-7632-1}} | |||
* {{cite book|first=Roshen |last=Dalal|title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&pg=PA251|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341517-6|pages=}} | |||
* {{cite book |editor-last=Doniger |editor-first=Wendy|title={{IAST|Purāṇa}} Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts |year=1993 |publisher=State University of New York |location=Albany, New York |isbn= 0-7914-1382-9 }} | |||
*{{cite book|first1=Constance|last1=Jones|first2=James D.|last2=Ryan|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |year= 2006|publisher= Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Richard D.|last=Mann|title=The Rise of Mahāsena: The Transformation of Skanda-Kārttikeya in North India from the Kuṣāṇa to Gupta Empires|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YcYyAQAAQBAJ |year=2011|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-21886-4}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Asko|last=Parpola|title=The Roots of Hinduism: The Early Aryans and the Indus Civilization|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ld3XCQAAQBAJ |year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-022691-6}} | |||
*{{cite book|last= Gopinatha Rao|first=T. A. |title=Elements of Hindu iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC |year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0878-2}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Mohan|last=Lal|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnPoYxrRfc0C |year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1221-3}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=James G.|last=Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4}} | |||
*{{Cite book|first=Ludo |last=Rocher| year= 1986| title= The Puranas| publisher= Otto Harrassowitz Verlag| isbn= 978-3447025225}} | |||
* Mani, Vettam. ''Puranic Encyclopedia''. 1st English ed. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1975. | |||
* G. V. Tagare, Dr. ''The Skanda-Purana (23 Vols.)'', Motilal Banarsidass. 2007. | |||
*{{cite journal | last=Kaur | first=Jagdish | title=Bibliographical Sources for Himalayan Pilgrimages and Tourism Studies: Uttarakhand | journal=Tourism Recreation Research | volume=4 | issue=1 | year=1979 | pages=13–16 | doi=10.1080/02508281.1979.11014968}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Doris|last=Srinivasan|title=On the Cusp of an Era: Art in the Pre-Kuṣāṇa World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dCz8NczNbcMC |year=2007|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-15451-3}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Doris|last=Srinivasan|title=Many Heads, Arms, and Eyes: Origin, Meaning, and Form of Multiplicity in Indian Art|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vZheP9dIX9wC |year= 1997|publisher= BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-10758-4}} | |||
*{{cite book|first=Raman|last=Varadara| title=Glimpses of Indian Heritage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GWIkmUq8lIUC |year=1993| publisher= Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7154-758-6}} | |||
*{{cite book|last= Pillai|first=V. J. Thamby|title=Origin on the Tamil Vellalas (T.A.- Vol. 1 Pt.10)|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=2004}} | |||
*{{cite book|last= Ramanujan|first=S R|title=The Lord of Vengadam A Historical Perspective |publisher=Partridge Publishing|year=2014}} | |||
*{{cite book|last= Meenakshi|first=K.|title=Tolkappiyam and Astadhyayi |publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies|year=1997}} | |||
*{{cite book|last= Balasubrahmanyam|first=S. R.|title=Early Chola Art Part 1 |publisher=New Asia Publishing House|year=1966}} | |||
*{{cite book|editor-last=Subramanian|editor-first=A.|title=New Dimensions in the Study of Tamil Culture |year=1978}} | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Commons category|Murugan}} | |||
*[http://www.inuvilkanthan.com/ Inuvil kanthan Temple] | |||
*[http://murugan.org/research/shanmugampillai.htm Muruga in Sangam literature] | |||
*[http://murugan.org/research/hernault.htm Mailam a Muruga Temple in the Cross Roads] | |||
{{Shaivism|state=collapsed}} | |||
{{Hindudharma}} | |||
{{Murugan temples}} | |||
{{Burmese nats}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
[[Category:Beauty gods]] | |||
[[Category:Hindu gods]] | |||
[[Category:Kaumaram]] | |||
[[Category:Sri Lankan deities]] | |||
[[Category:Tamil deities]] | |||
[[Category:Tutelary deities]] | |||
[[Category:War gods]] | |||
[[Category:Fortune gods]] | |||