Tamil people will say they are not Hindu related. Then why are all Hindu-related temples (more than 30,000 ancient temples) in Tamil Nadu?

 Tamil people will say they are not Hindu related. Then why are all Hindu-related temples (more than 30,000 ancient temples) in Tamil Nadu?

I do not understand, why this question becomes so important, that eight people requested my answer in a week’s time.

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1. Hinduism is a general term used to refer all religions of Indian Origin, over time some exceptions were made.
2. It comes from a root “Hind”, which is overly used by Governments to harass citizens in southern regions since 1930. It is now deep rooted in unconscious of people of those regions over 10 generations to rebel.
3. In fact, Tamil Nadu has over 88% Hindus, higher than any Indian State, even higher than one and only Hindu nation- Nepal.
4. Tamil has a very long historical literature where hardly the term “Hinduism” mentioned. All over the years Tamils thought that they are “Shaivites”; they are “Sri Vaishnavites”; they practice “Kaumaram or Murugan Worship”.
5. All these temples belong to sects of Shaivism, Sri Vaishnavism, and “Kaumaram” protected by various Emperors and revived by Bhakti Movement of Nayanmars, Azhwars from 7th to 9 th century and later Arunagiri Nathar in 15th century.
6. There is a distinct difference in religions developed in North and South, after 7th century. Rituals differed. Their main deities differed. Shiva as perceived by South and North are different ( now it lead to Isha trying to attack Southern Temples with the help of Northies is due to this fall out. Shiv Ratri is a festival of Kul Dev worship in TN, now witnesses ugly dances in Western Ghats)
7. Vaishnavism practiced in North is different from Sri Vaisnavism of South. Vasudev and Krishna, Rama were worshipped in Vaishnavism whereas Mal or Perumal, called Vishnu is the prime deity in Sri Vaisnavism.
8. In the name of Hinduism, now North trying to eyeing for temple treasures in South.

Yes. This subtle action to claim imposition of Hinduism on the religions practiced in Tamil Nadu made the Tamils to say that they are not Hindus.

The reality is 88% of people practice Shaivism, Sri Vaishnavism and Murugan Worship.

It is unfortunate that ISKCON, BAPS, ISHA are kept as separate legal entities to corner and abuse money with or without 80G(?) on their will, where as other major religions come under the umbrella of “Hinduism”.

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Annexure: Hinduism, a misnomer?

Part 1 - Hindu

I will go backwards in time line.

#South Indians as Hindus in 20th Century: After world war I, that is after 1920s, eventually, any person of Indian origin (including Tamils) who did not practice Abrahamic religions came to be branded as a Hindu, thereby encompassing a wide range of religious beliefs and practices.

#North Indians as Hindus in 18th Century: Towards the end of the 18th century, the European merchants and colonists referred collectively to the followers of the Dharmic religions in Hindustan — which geographically referred to most parts of the northern Indian subcontinent — as Hindus.

#Land of Hindus as Hindustan in 13th Century:The Arabic term al-Hind, referred to the land of the people who live across the river Indus. From 13th century, the word Hindustan began to be used as a popular alternative name for India, meaning the "land of Hindus".

#People Live Across Indus River as India in 5th Century: The word Hindu or Indu was used by Greeks to denote the country and people living beyond the Indus river. Megasthenes' 'Indica' epitomizes the name for India and Indians around the 5th Century B.C.E

Hindu is the Sanskrit Word and Shindu is the Local word for River Indus.

Part 2 - Tamil Religions

I will go forward in time line.

The Tamil area had an independent existence outside the control of northern empires. The Tamil kings and chiefs were always in conflict with each other mostly over property. The royal courts were mostly places of social gathering rather than places of dispensation of authority; they were centres for distribution of resources.

# Tholkappiam between the 5th century BCE and the 3rd century CE: In Sangam poems, there is relatively meager reference given to religion in general. Sivas name appeared in many literature. In the akam songs, Tholkappiar has made reference to deities in the different land divisions:

Thirumal (Vishnu) for mullai (Forest)

Murugan (Karthik) for kurinji (Mountains)

Indhiran (Indra) for marutham (Plains or Agri Lands)

Varunan, for neithal (Sea Shores) and

Kotravai (Sakthi or Kali) for palai (Desert)

#Early Religions after Sangam Period: Gradually the rulers came under the influence of ritual based beliefs. They performed “Bali” and started worshipping associated deities of Kotravai / Siva- Angali, Karuppaswamy, Irulappaswamy, Pechchiammal, Ayyanar regoinally varying names.

#First Three Centuries: Saw the Kalabhras or Kalappirayars storming into Tamil regions, imposed languages like Prakriti, later Sanskrit and imposed religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Aseevagam of Eastern part (present day Bihar) of sub continent.

#Kalabhras believed to be feadatories to Satavahana dynasty (which ruled present day Maharashtra, Andhra and Odisha regions in 3rd century) and brought Telugu speaking Pallavas at a later period.

#In tenth century, Buddhism, Jainism and Ajvika co-existed with reviving Shaivite, Vaishnavism by Nayanmars and Azhwars. It is just to mention that some point out that Ajvika still practiced in certain pockets of TN.Kalabhras period is termed as “Dark Age” of Tamil History

#6th to 13th Centuries: Saivism and Vaisnavism dominated and replaced Buddhism and Jainism. Some of the earliest temples that are still standing were built during this period by the Pallavas. Rock cut temples were the order of the day than temples built with bricks and mud.

#13th to 17th Century: Saivism and Vaisnavism dominated. It is one of the Golden periods of Temple Architect. Damaged temples of invaders were rebuilt and new structures built and existing structures were expanded by Vijayanagara Kingdom, Madurai and Tanjavur Naickers.

#18th to 19th Century: It is a chaos in Tamil Land - full of conflicts among Local Polygars of Maduari, Tiruchi, Senji, Marathas, Nawabs, British, French.

Christianity and Islam co-existed with majority Saivism and Vaisnavism (together were over 88%). Christians are mainly concentrated in Southern districts - Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.

#Post Independence: The trauma of the partition did not impact Tamil Nadu when India was granted Independence in 1947. There was no sectarian violence against various religions. There had always been an atmosphere of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between all religions in Tamil Nadu.