Thirumal
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Perumal Tamil: பெருமாள் also Thirumal Tamil: திருமால் is a Hindu deity popular amongst Tamils of Tamil Nadu state in India and in the Tamil diaspora. Although he is popularly associated with the pan Indian god Vishnu there is evidence that Perumal worship, as seen today has been a product of syncretism of an indigenous deity with Vishnu[citation needed].
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[edit] Early mention in Sangam literature
Tamil Sangam Literature (200BCE to 500CE) mentions mAyOn, or the dark one, this deity also known as mAl ' a spirit worshipped in pasture land regions known as mullai. Tamil linguists have translated the word mAl as dark or black. Thus he became associated with Krishna the dark or black deity of Yadava cow-herders in North India, eventually to be identified with Vishnu when Krishna was accepted as an avatar of Vishnu.[citation needed]
Thirumal can be translated as the sacred mAl. Hence the name Thirumal is a continuation of the Sangam era deity mAl.
[edit] Syncretism with Vishnu
The earlier version of mAl underwent a radical transformation after assimilation into Brahmanical Hinduism. The rituals, worship pattern and temples all were transformed into the Sanskritic mode of worship.
[edit] Popularity in the Tamil Nadu
Perumal has enjoyed some what continuous popularity with all classes of society right from the Sangam age. There were restrictions placed on his worship during the hey days of the Chola empire thus triggering an exodus of his devotees to the neighboring states. But in general today the Vaishnava tradition is popular amongst a segment of Tamil Brahmins known as Iyengars and Tamils of Telugu ancestry from Andhra Pradesh state. Murugan, Mariamman and Siva are the deities of choice for most practicing Hindu Tamils. Thirumal worship is accommodated as part of the daily worship of all deities across Tamil Nadu and in the Tamil speaking regions of Sri Lanka.
[edit] Perumal Temples
Prominent Perumal temples around the world are
- Sri Varadaraja perumal temple in India
- Perumal temple in Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- Sri Venkatshwara perumal temple in the USA
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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