Lesson - 1

p20221 Thirumal Worship in Ancient TamilNadu

     This lesson talks about the worship of Lord Thirumal in ancient TamilNadu.

     In ancient Tamil scriptures, Vishnu was referred to as Thirumal. As time passed, people who worshipped Vishnu were known as Vainava’s. Tholkaapiam considered Thirumal to be the god of the Mullai region but later literary works refer to Thirumal as the god of all four regions. References to Thirumal can be found in Puranaanuru.

     In the Paripaadal there are six poems describing Thirumal worship. Malirunkundram, Madurai, Thiruvarangam, Thiruvengadam and Kaveripoompatinam are some of the prominent places where temples for Thirumal are found. Needuneervaiyai Nedumaal was the name given to Thirumal of Irundhaiyur / in the Madurai region. Neelanirathavan, Neelameni, Kadal, Mugil and Poovaipoo were names that described the dark complexion of Thirumal.

     Thirumal was also referred by various names such as Maayon, Maal and Nediyon.

     This lesson talks about Thirumal worship that existed in ancient TamilNadu. References made to Thirumal in ancient literary works and places where his temples were found are also mentioned. The different names of Thirumal are also shown.


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