Rise of Kaumaram (Murugan Worship) in Medieval Period:

 

Rise of Kaumaram (Murugan Worship) in Medieval Period:

Energy in younger form is Kaumaram.

Energy of Action;

To fulfill

Energy of Desire;

Aided by

Energy of Knowledge.

Indian History is unkind to Southern Kingdoms who spread their geographic boundaries beyond Indian peninsula through sea fare. On the other hand, Indian History is busy in glorifying invading turks and moghals.

Indian Peninsula Rule in SE Asia:

Raja Raja Chozhan (10–11th c) is an example;

Devaraya II (15th c)of Vijayanagara Sangama Dynasty is another example.

Kumara Krishnappa Naicker (16th c) of Madurai Naicker Kingdom is one more example.

Raja Raja Chozhan’s glory in 10th-11th century is recently brought into limelight by Tamil Nadu.

But many may not aware about subsequent expeditions of Prouda Devaraya’s (Devaraya II) in 15th century and Kumara Krishnappa Naicker’s expedition in 16th century to spread Koumaram in Buddhist nations.

Devaraya II conquerred Ceylon to Gulbarga and Orissa to Malabar and levied tributes on Quilon, Ceylon, Pegu, Tenesserim.(present day Sri Lanka, Myanmer and Thailand respectively).

Deva Raya II (r. 1422–1446 CE) was an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire. The greatest of the Sangama Dynasty Virashaiva rulers, he was an able administrator, warrior, and scholar.

He is a patron to Kannada writers Chamarasa and Kumara Vyasa; Telugu poet Sri Natha; Mathematician and Astronomer Vatasserry Parameshwara Nambhoothiri; Tamil mystic Arunagiri Nathar -all lived a lavish lifestyle.

Deveraya II is the emperor who spread Koumaram in Tamil and in South Asian Countries with the treaded path of Arunagiri Nathar of Tiruvannamalai. Unfortunately due to subsequent weak rulers of Sangama Dynasty, Koumaram failed to take deep roots in South East Asian countries.

Kaumaram in Medieval Period:

Like Nayanmars and Azhwars who spread Shaivism and Vaishnavism respectively, it is Giri Naths of Shringeri, followers of Arunagiri Nathar in 15th century who spread Kaumaram in Medieval period.

Murugan is a Tantric God. Rituals play an important role in cornering Energy levels.

Rituals in Six Abodes: One of the main traditions of the six abodes, is the mottai or tonsuring of devotees, who vow to discard their hair. Another is the anointing of the tonsured head with raktha (red) sandalwood paste, at night. The paste, upon being allowed to stay overnight, is said to energise devotees.

Devotees carry kavadi, wearing ochre clothes walkjng on foot from long distances, body piercing are commonly followed worship practice.

Kaumaram in Overseas:

Lakkanna, a commander of Deveraya II made an expedition to South and conqured Odisha, Malabar and levied tributes on Quilon, Ceylon, Pegu, Tenesserim.(present day Sri Lanka, Myanmer and Thailand respectively).

Kataragama:

A small Polygar from Thondai Mandalam (Kanchi) was made as a King of Sinhala Kingdom (Kottai Dynasty) at Kandy by Lakkanna - a commander of Deveraya II of Vijayanagara Kingdom.

Arunagiri Nathar, a mystic of Tiruvannamalai, treaded the path to Kataragama and performed tiruals.

It is the Desire of Valli (Thala Thayar of the Hill) to bringback Kataragama into limelight with another expedition of Kumara Krishnappa Naicker in 16th century. This time, a small polygar of Sithawaka was made as a King of Sinhala Kingdom. He also made his brother in law Gopala Naidu as a Viceroy.

Mohan N R's answer to Were the Nayakkar kings of Kandy both Hindu and Buddhist at the same time?

Now Katargama was rediscovered by Kalayangiri Nathar, an accompanied mystic and temple was reconstructed by a newly crowned King of Kandy. Kalyangiri Nathar visioned the Sat-Kona form (yantra).

The Kingdom lasted over 3 centuries, well supported by Vijayanagara Empire, Thanjavur, Madurai, Chenji Kingdoms at varios point in time. It withstood European invasions till 1815 and one of the strongest Kingdoms of Sri Lanka.

Till today, Energy of Action (Deivayani) is from Shringeri Mutt of Karnataka, Energy of Desire is Thala Thayar (Vedda Valli) guided by Energy of Knowledge (Vel).

Why Koumaram failed elsewhere?

Unfortunately due to subsequent weak rulers of Sangama Dynasty, Koumaram failed to take deep roots in South East Asian countries.

Another readon is that the emperors of other Vijayanagara dynasties followed- Saluva, Tulu and Aravidu are Sri Vaishnavites, and they encouraged local religions.

Not withstanding, Murugan is the Kali Yuga Varadhan and Kaumaram is the religion of Tamils, all over the globe.

Energy of Action (Devayani- Tripura Bhairavi/ Gauri);

To fulfill

Energy of Desire(Valli- Tripura Sundari/ Rajeswari);

Aided by

Energy of Knowledge(Vel- Shyama/ Meenachi)

Haro-Hara.