Madurai Veeran
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Madurai Veeran a regional Tamil male deity who is popular amongst the least Sanskritized social groups of South India specifically Tamil Nadu. His name suggests an association with the city of Madurai and a warrior past. The deity is also popular amongst certain segments of the Tamil diaspora in Reunion and the French overseas territories in the Caribbean sea.
[edit] Ancient tradition
In ancient Tamilakam people venerated Veerakal or stones erected in memory of warriors. One can find such stones that have fully morphed into cultic shrines across South India and specifically Tamil Nadu. He is the son of ammen., as known by South Africans.
[edit] Historical roots
He is believed to be a great good knight who lived during the period when Nayaks of Andhra ruled certain parts of Tamil Nadu.
There are no official records of his existence. For many years, stories of his life were passed on by oral tradition, forming a mythology. Many in rural parts of Tamilnad have admired him, to such an extent that even today they worship him as one of the Gods.
According to story, Madurai Veeran was son of a North Indian King, left in the wood as he was considered as unlucky baby and could bring misfortune to the country. A cobbler who saw the baby in the wood by chance raised him. His bravery and talent earned him a chance to enter the army as a Commander.
But his misfortune made him to fall by his own law which he enforced to eradicate the robbers from the country. His long time enemies by their cunning plot made the King to believe that he was also one of the robbers and must be punished. The King who was already jealous of Madurai Veeran sentenced him to mutilation, having a hand and a leg removed.
According to the stories, This caused his very soul to leave his body, reducing his people and kin to tears. Later the King realized that Madurai Veeran was innocent and regretted his act.
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