Munishswaran

Munishswaran (Tamil: முனீஸ்வரன், lit.: Sage like Lord) is a Tamil folk deity popular in northern Tamil Nadu, India. He is a male deity usually depicted as three stones or just one stone with religious marking. The deity is considered a family or village guardian. There are many versions of this deity popular in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

Origins

For the many thousands of years that Tamil people have existed in southern India, they have been nature worshipers. Like Pagans, they considered that women were the center of life,a source of rejuvenation and an entity to be revered for survival. By early 250 BCE, Tondai Nadu comprised the northeastern region of Tamil Nadu, which was ruled by the Kalabhras, who had adopted Buddhism from the Mauryas and the Satavahanas of the north. At this time, farmers were great followers of Buddhism, as it took away the rigidity of Vedic rituals and brahminism. With the fall of the Kalabhras and rise of the Pallavas, the Buddhist monks gave up their religion. "Muni" in Tamil refers to the braided and coiled hair worn by these sages and nomads and "Ishwar" means 'lord', and therefore farmers started calling their Buddhist monks Munishwarans. As time went by, with the influence of Śaiva kings of the Pallava kingdom, they were replaced as village guardian deities.

Ratha Muni, identified as a stronger deity, is generally associated with saving the village or the farms that surround him. He is prone to accept animal sacrifices and drink the blood of these animals offered to him from the village.
Kotai Muni is depicted with soldier figurines who protect the town or the fort of rulers. These portrayals are of men carrying long swords and round shields.

Temples

1.Munneswaran temple in Demala Pattuva region in the Puttalam District, Sri Lanka.
2.Bodyguard Muniswaran Koil at Chennai
3.Pal Muniswaran Koil at Tiruvallore
4.Kottai Muniswaran Koil at Devakottai
5.Kottai Muniswaran Koil at Rasipuram
6.Roya Muniswaran Temple opposite Srirangam Temple, Tiruchy
7.Sri Muneeswaran Temple in Singapore
8.Sri sivasanggara ValMuniswarar Temple in rantau,Seremban
9.Muniswaran Alayam temple in Setapak
10.Muniswaran temple in Chemor
11.ri Muniswaran Temple in Jalan Kisap, Kedah
12.Koatdadi Sree Aathi Muneeswarar 13.Thevasthanam in Trincomalee district,
13.Sri pattriayan muniswaran koil in chenni,(ennore etps)
14.Sri pal muniswaran kovil in ennore(thalazamkuppam)
15.anjupanai maha muneeswarar in madurai muthupatti
16.Sri Muneeswaran Temple in kuthanur, Palakkad-678721
17.Sri Muniswarar Temple in Jalan Baru,Prai,Penang
18.Shri Vaal Munishwaran temple in Vichoor,Chennai.

Versions

Pal Muni is identified as a vegetarian deity who does not accept any animal sacrifice. He is preferred as the family deity by many. Houses usually depict him with three burnt bricks marked with three Śaiva strips of ashes and a red kumkum dot, made of turmeric and slaked lime, in the center.

Music

Urmi melam, karakattam and thappattam are associated with the temples' celebration.