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Hinduism and Tribal Religions pp 1–4Cite as

Murukaṉ

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

Definition

While the deity Murukan has been closely identified with Tamil religiosity for at least two millennia, his evolution as a universalistic deity has been greatly influenced by Sanskritic and North Indian traditions. Murukan continues to occupy a prominent role within Tamil Hindu spiritual and cultural life.

Cosmic History

Murukan’s origins can be definitively traced to the earliest body of extant Tamil literature, the extensive collection of poetry known as the Sangam and variously dated from 300 BCE to 300 CE. In the earliest phase of Sangam literature, Murukan was clearly identified as a rural deity and was firmly situated within the kurinci tinai (hilly eco-zone) of the Tamil country [2]. Murukan was portrayed as intensely heroic, a deity who vanquished his demonic enemy the cura (soora). His weapon was initially a specially shaped leaf but later transformed into a leaf-shaped lance. A marked feature of early Murukan worship was the frenzied dancing of his devotees and the...

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References

  1. Belle CV (2017) Thaipusam in Malaysia: a Hindu festival in the Tamil diaspora. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

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  2. Champakalashmi R (2011) Religion, tradition and ideology – pre-colonial South India. Oxford University Press, Delhi

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  3. Chatterjee AK (1970) The cult of Skanda-Karttikeya in ancient India. Calcutta, Puthi Pustak

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  4. Clothey FW (1978) The many faces of Murukan: the history and meaning of a South Indian God. Mouton, The Hague

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  5. Clothey FW (1983) Rhythm and intent: ritual studies from South India. Blackie and Son, Bombay

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  6. Stein B (1980) Peasant, state and society in medieval South India. Oxford University Press, Delhi

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Carl Vadivella Belle

Authors
  1. Carl Vadivella Belle
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Correspondence to Carl Vadivella Belle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, Texas, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, California, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Cite this entry

Belle, C.V. (2018). Murukaṉ. In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_459-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_459-1

  • Received:

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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