Kathavarayan (deity)
| Kathavarayan | |
|---|---|
Statue of Lord Kathavarayan and two his wife in Masi Periasamy Temple | |
| Venerated in | Tamil people |
| Weapon | Aruval, Spear, Gada, Sword, Shield |
| Mount | horse |
| Consort | ariyamala(ஆரியமாலா) and otanyi (ஓந்தாயி) |
Kathavarayan (Kātaātavarāya - காத்தவராய) is a Tamil folk deity venerated in South India and Sri Lanka. His worship is prevalent amongst rural Tamil people.[1][2][3] He is the local tamil god mostly in rural tamil nadu.This name is a combination of two name are kathavar (Protector) and ayan (gift of God) , mostly the tamil local gods are real people who did above human deeds to protect their community or villages.
Iconography
Lord Kathavarayan is recognized by he twos arms and fearsome appearance and have a mustache. he is usually shown holding weapons and like the Tamil warriors of ancient South India. he may hold a Aruval, a Khanda (Sword), a Sword , a Gada or Shield.,Iconography of him same as of male folk deity general in southern India. he is often depicted as standing or seated with twos wives which has a name ariyamala(ஆரியமாலா) and otanyi (ஓந்தாயி) with and one male attendant which has a name chinnan (சின்னான்).[4]
Beyond the Indian subcontinent and Hinduism
He is highly revered in Hinduism in Thailand due to the popularity of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bangkok Thai people like to come and pay respect here because it has a tamil folk culture identity that blends well with and connects with folk Thai culture such as Arul Vaaku tradition (deity possession)., with his idol being enshrined in the temple's annual procession, an important of Vijayadashami traditional event of Hinduism in Thailand.[5]
See also
Notes
- ^ Narayanan, Gita; Thiagarajan, Deborah (2001). DakshinaChitra: In southern district thanjavur, place called Sathanur where old temple for ayyanar is in place( Palankulathu ayyanar).A Glimpse of South India. Madras Craft Foundation. pp. 40–41.
- ^ Kulendiren, Pon (2012). Hinduism a Scientific Religion: & Some Temples in Sri Lanka. iUniverse. p. 188. ISBN 9781475936735.
- ^ Mãrg, Volume 37, Issues 3-4. Marg Publications. p. 67.
- ^ https://www.vikatan.com/spiritual/temples/147174-glory-of-kathavarayan-temples
- ^ http://thesis.swu.ac.th/swuthesis/Tha/Sukanya_P.pdf