TAMIL
Tamil worship traditions
S.N. KANDASWAMY
TAMIZH MAKKAL VARALAARU PAZHAM TAMIZHAR VAZHIPADDUKAL: K.P. Aravaanan; Tamizh Kottam, 2, Munirathinam Street, Ayyavu Colony, Chennai-600029.
Rs. 200.
IN THIS book the author has made a sincere attempt to trace the various aspects of worship prevalent among the Tamils. In the opening section some features of primitive religion are briefly presented. Next the author traces the origin of the cult of mother-goddess from folk and literary sources. He has also dealt with the worship of ancestral spirits and village deities, commonly seen among rural people. The erection of heroic stones, in recognition of rare achievements of the warriors in the battlefront and, the establishment of monuments and tombs in honour of tribal chiefs, kings and monarchs preceded the regular construction of temples and shrines in accordance with the Agamas.
The author has paid special attention to snake worship which was popular not only in the African countries but also in Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, India, China, Japan and also worship of trees. He has also indicated the popular beliefs and superstitions of the people with regard to serpent and tree worship.
A brief account of worship of Muruga and Vinayaka is given. However, he has not discussed Saivism and Vaishnavism, the major religions of the Tamils. The decline of Jainism and Buddhism, and the rise of Vedic faiths are discussed. Also mentioned are some important factors for religious conversion found among some sections in modern times. The book is well documented and the author deserves all appreciation.
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