Murugan of Kuravar and Skandan Mixed Karthikeyan of Aryas

Abstract

The deities identified with the five ecological landscapes (ainthinai) of ancient Tamilakam are, in fact, the earliest ancestors of the respective lands themselves. Kurinji – Seyon / Murugan; Pālai – Kotravai; Mullai – Mayon; Marutham – Vendan; Neithal – Varunan. In the early period, the Kurinji- land Kuravar clans worked in open terrains and later erected nadukal (hero stones), worshipping Seyon (Murugan) as their clan ancestor. Subsequently, temples for Murugan were built on hilltops, and worship continued there. Through the influence they established with kings, Aryan Brahmins took control of these temples. Murugan, who was originally a Tamil deity, was assimilated with the Aryan Skanda, and Skanda-related names such as Subramanian, Arumugan, and Karthikeyan were attributed to him. Murugan’s beloved consort, the Kurava maiden Valli, was reduced to the status of a younger co-wife subordinate to Deivanai, the wife of Skanda. This article has been written to place before the world—especially before Tamils—the true history of Murugan, the manner in which the Aryan-born Skanda was merged with him, and the need to reclaim Murugan and Valli from this degraded condition.