Lord Murugan, also known by names such as Ceyon, Kumaran, and Skanda, holds a unique and exalted place in Tamil spiritual and cultural history. Long before his integration into the broader Indian Puranic traditions as the son of Shiva and Parvati, Murugan was the primary deity of the ancient Tamils. He was worshipped with intense devotion as a nature god, war god, and the divine protector of hills and warriors.
Origins of Murugan Worship in Tamilakam
The ancient Tamil people lived in close harmony with nature. Observing the grandeur and rhythmic beauty of the natural world, they believed in the existence of a Supreme Being who governed and regulated the universe. The commentator Naccinarkkiniyar explains the spiritual interpretations of natural elements: kotinilai symbolized the sun, kantali represented the formless, all-pervading creative force, and Valli denoted the moon.
Tamils believed that the divine manifested in the exuberance of natural beauty, especially in the hilly tracts. They saw the hills as the abode of divine energy, which they personified in the form of a handsome, youthful, and fragrant deity with a reddish hue—Ceyon. The word muruku, meaning beauty and youthfulness, also became synonymous with this god. These names—Ceyon and Muruku—appear frequently in Sangam literature, later evolving into the name Murukan.
When Tamilakam was classified into five ecological tracts (tinai), Murukan became the presiding deity of the Kurinji—the mountainous region. Thus, he earned the title Kunrukkilavan or "Lord of the Hills."
Archaeological and Literary Evidence of Murugan Worship
The roots of Murugan worship trace back to prehistoric times. In the Neolithic period (around the 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE), the practice of burying the dead in urns was common in Tamil Nadu. Archaeological excavations at Adichanallur in the Tirunelveli district revealed urns, iron spears, and metal insignia bearing the image of a cock—Murugan's emblem. These findings suggest that Murugan worship existed centuries before the Christian era.
Ancient Tamil literature such as Tolkāppiyam, Pattuppāṭṭu, and Eṭṭuttokai provide substantial evidence for Murugan's dominance in religious and cultural life. Tolkāppiyam, the earliest known Tamil grammar text, refers to Murugan as Ceyon and praises him as Cutarpuncey, Vel Porccey, and Priyampuncey. These references emphasize Murugan’s radiant red form, his spear (Vel), and his divine nature.
The colour red held deep symbolic value in Murugan worship. It represented the deity’s youthful energy, bravery, and anger toward evil. Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai, a classic devotional poem, vividly describes Murugan’s red attire, red garlands, and red spear—reinforcing his image as a powerful warrior god.
Murugan as the War God and Son of Korravai
The ancient Tamils saw Murugan as the son of Korravai, the goddess of war and victory. This matriarchal theological origin pre-dates the later Sanskritization of Murugan as the son of Shiva and Parvati. Perumpāṇāṟṟuppaṭai and Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai affirm this relationship, portraying Murugan as the divine offspring of the fierce Korravai.
In Sangam literature, Murugan is depicted as a fearless war god who annihilates evil forces. Akanāṉūṟu portrays him as a glorious hero whose fame and victories inspire comparisons with great kings and warriors. In Maturaikkāñci, the valour of the Pandiyan king Talaiyālaṅkāṉattu Cēruvēnṟa Pāṇḍiyaṉ Nedunchezhiyan is likened to Murugan's ability to conquer enemies and destroy their pride.
Similarly, in Kuṟiñcippāṭṭu, the poet Kapilar praises the divine spear (Vel) of Murugan, comparing its brilliance to lightning and its power to crush opponents. Even household heads and warriors were often compared to Murugan, indicating his prominence as a role model for bravery.
The Spiritual and Psychological Role of Murugan
Murugan's significance extended beyond the battlefield into the emotional and psychological realms of Tamil society. The ritual dance known as Veriyāṭal was performed by a priest called Vēlan, believed to be an incarnation of Murugan himself. This ritual played a vital role in both akam (inner/personal life) and puram (outer/public life) themes of Tamil literature.
In akam contexts, especially related to adolescent girls experiencing emotional turmoil due to pre-marital love, families sought guidance from the Vēlan. Adorned with kurinji flowers and holding the sacred Vel, the Vēlan would perform ritual dances and offer cooked rice and meat. His pronouncements were accepted as divine solutions from Murugan.
In puram themes, the Vēlan predicted the outcomes of impending battles, wearing garlands of kaṇṭal flowers. Warriors placed immense faith in these rituals, affirming their belief in Murugan’s divine protection and justice.
Murugan as the Guardian of Justice and Valour
Justice and valour were interwoven in the ancient Tamil concept of governance and divine order. The Puram poems, especially in Puranānūru, celebrate kings who protect their subjects like a mother guard her child. This protective force, often violent when necessary, was rooted in the principle of vēram (valour).
Murugan, as a god of justice and protection, was revered as a divine symbol of fearless governance. Unlike the Vedic gods who remained distant or exclusive to priestly classes, Murugan was a people’s god—approachable, powerful, and compassionate.
Murugan: The Ubiquitous God of the Tamil People
Though originally the presiding deity of the Kurinji region, Murugan’s worship was not restricted to geography. Tirumurukāṟṟuppaṭai poet Nakkīrar mentions that Murugan resides not only in hills but also in groves, forests, riverbanks, and temple stages where Vēlan performs his dance. In Kuruntokai, another Sangam classic, Murugan is described as the Lord of the entire cosmos, protector of all creation.
A beautiful image is painted in Pattinappālai, where Murugan, the Lord of Hills, is seen joyfully participating in festivals along the coastal plains. This blending of ecological and spiritual landscapes underscores Murugan’s universal appeal.
Conclusion: Murugan, the Tamil God Beyond Time
The worship of Lord Murugan is deeply embedded in Tamil heritage, not just as a religious aspect but as a cultural and emotional cornerstone. From ancient tribal rituals and Sangam literature to modern temple traditions, Murugan continues to inspire devotion through his valour, beauty, and spiritual significance.
He is the embodiment of youthful energy, the protector of the righteous, the vanquisher of evil, and the Lord of Nature. His legacy as Ceyon, the Red God of the Hills, remains a timeless testament to Tamil spirituality’s depth, individuality, and connection to the natural world