30 November 2009 10:38:11 AM UTC in
Religion
God Murugan
Muruga is a God worshiped in Tamil Nadu, India. Muruga is also referred to as Murugan or Karthikeyan. He is the son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and the younger brother of God Vinayaka. Murugan is symbolized by the weapon spear (Vel in Tamil) and his vehicle the Peacock. The picture of Murugan in the daily calendar is very popular in Tamil Nadu.
Murugan is also called as Arumugam, which means 'six faces' in Tamil. Murugan is also a popular name given to people in Tamil Nadu (named after the God). It is beleived that anyone who worships God Murugan will have their prayers answered instantly.
Temples of Murugan
Murugan has six main abodes also known as Arupadaiveedu in Tamil. There are temples of Murugan in these places. They are:
Palani
Swamimalai
Thirutani
Pazhamudircholai
Thiruchendur
Thiruparamkunram
Apart from these, the other main temples are:
Marudamalai (located in Coimbatore)
Vadapalani
Palani is one of the most famous temples of Murugan. Many devotees tonsure their hair as a sacrifice or offering to the God.
Names
Murugan is also referred to by the following names:
Subramaniam (Subramanya)
Karthikeya (Karthikeyan)
Senthilnathan
Arumugam
Palaniandavar
Sanmugam (Shamugam)
Vela
Sacred Texts
The Kanda Puranam is one of the important sacred texts of Murugan. It was written by Kachiappa Sivāchāryar. Thiruppugazh written by Sri Arunagirinathar is another important sacred text. It contains songs of praises of Murugan. The most popular song or praise of Murugan is the Kanda Sasti Kavasam written by Devaraya Swamigal. Anyone who recites the Kanda Sasti Kavasam whole heartedly and with belief is said to get a peaceful and happy daily life.
Kanda Sasti Kavasam Lyrics in Tamil and English
Titbits
One of the most popular depiction of Lord Muruga in cinema is in the Tamil Film 'Thiruvilayadal' starring the Late Chevalier Shivaji Ganesan and K. B Sunderambal. The song 'Palam Neyappa Gyana Palam Neyappa' is a popular song in this movie in which the saintly poet Avvaiyar (played by K. B. Sunderambal) cajoles Murugan to return to his parents. In the movie, God Shiva (played by Sivaji Ganesan) keeps a competition between God Ganesha and his younger brother God Muruga as to who will go around the earth fastest. The fastest to go around the earth will get the 'Gyanapalam' ('Gyana Palam' or Fruit of Knowledge) as the prize. Murugan goes around the earth to find that Ganesha has won the prize because he went around his parents (God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi); parents are referred to as Mother Earth. Hence God Murugan gets angry and leaves his parents. K. B. Sunderambal sings that God Murugan himself if the Gyana Palam, in order to soothe him.
Links
Murugan
Prayer: I love my sweet Lord Murugan
Om muruga!!!
vattradha nadhi nee!
maraiyadha suriyan nee!
aliyadha uruvam nee!
en nilaippai nee!
en thiru uruva!,
en niyaname,
en nimmadhiye,
en suvasame,
en uyire!
un arul melonga naanum unnai valipadugiren.
vettri vel !!!
veera vel !!!
By poornima
on 12/14/2009 3:31:43 AM