Murugan
Also called: Seyon · Topic: Sangam Age and Early South India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Murugan, also called Seyon, was the main god of the hill country in Sangam poetry. Sangam poets divided the land into types of region, and the hill region was called kurinji. Murugan was pictured as a young, handsome god of war. Later he was identified with the god Skanda-Kartikeya of north India. He is still one of the most loved gods in Tamil Nadu.
Example
The Sangam-period poem Tirumurugarruppadai guides devotees to Murugan's shrines. Six of his temples in Tamil Nadu are known as his "six abodes" and are major pilgrimage centres. They include Palani, Tiruchendur and Tiruttani.
Don't confuse with
- Skanda-Kartikeya: he was first a north Indian god. Murugan began as a Tamil hill god, and the two were joined into one god later.