Murugan (Kartikeya) Temples of the world

Ancient Murugan Worship Across the World : The Skanda Murugan is captain of holy forces per myths of both Shaivism and Buddhism. Murugan is prime god for Tamils, while Kannadigas, Malayalees, Oriya people and Telugus too worship him with different names. The Name Subramanya which comes from the name of snake is famous in Karnataka, While Kumaraswamy is a famous name in Andhra Pradesh. Malayalees call Murugan with all names Tamils used to call.

Chinese Murugan : Wei Tuo Pú-sà (Bodhisattva Kandan) is recognized as one of the eight divine protectors in Chinese Buddhism. He appears as a majestic general in his armor. Buddha had said to have ordered generals of this world to protect Buddha Dharma. After the death of Buddha the relics were robbed by evils, The bodhisattva Wei Tuo had managed to overcome the evils and recovered the relics of Buddha. Wei Tuo Pu sa is regarded as a devoted guardian of Buddhist Monastries who guards Buddhist treasures and the objects of Dharma. This Mythical story is said to have taken place in the jungles of Sri Lanka which is called as “Koyil Vanam” (Jungle of Temple) and proximity to “Kathirgamam” , The defender is called as Murugan or Kathirgama Deyo. Wei Tuo Pu-Sa (Bodhisattva kandan)

Baima (White Horse Monastery in Luoyang, Henan province) is the earliest monastery established in China with a long history of more than 1,000 years. According to legend a white horse carried Buddhist scripture here, and so it got the name. Kandan at Baima Monastry. Followers of Buddhism have always acknowledged Baima Monastery as their 'ancestral temple' and the 'source of Buddhism' in China. Two life-sized statues of Wei Tuo Pú sà (Bodhisattva Skanda, at left) are also among the deities represented at Baima Monastery.

The Chinese also refer Murugan as Ti Ti Ang Kong, or “the god of the Chetis,” and the miracles attributed to them abound: from the healing of the sick on the deathbed to the exorcism of enemies and thieves.

Iconographic Contact between Karthikeya and Majusri in China:

The Caves of Yungyang near Datong in the province of Shensi in China which dates back to period of Northern Wei Dynasty (385 - 550 AD) have a rock engraved picture of Karthikeya that is resting its feet on peacock and turning his face towards him (Manjusri). The Six headed Male figure is shown to have 6 arms , two upper most holds Sun and the Moon , The middle hand holds a Bow , and the lowest hand holds a Cock held closely to the chest , The lowest right hand which shows a Mudra rests on the right thigh , the middle right hand holds a bow.

Karthikeya-Manjusri (5th Century AD) from Yung-Kang Caves, Shensi Province, China :

All these attributes to Karthikeya or Kandan or Kumaran or Mahasena, the deity is shown with six heads as sixth one is invisible from behind.

Wen-Shu-Shi-Ii also known as Manjusri is also associated with peacock which according to chinese Buddhist legend was ordained by Gautama Buddha to turn the Wheel of Law for the salvation of the Chinese. manjusri is also referred to as ManjuKumara or Kumarabhuta these expression may allude to Kumara karthikeya. In some sculptures Manjukumara is said to have holding a Bow and arrow and in some he was having 5 heads , there could be an earlier contact between Karthikeya and Manjusri around 5 century AD.

Some other images in the same cave have Manjusri links with Siva (Nilakantha) , Several Lingas in Nepal have engraved images of manjusri. Manjusri could also be an representation of Siva. This shows that Karthikeya could be a recognised deity much earlier to 5th century AD that might have come from india to shensi. Karthikeya was gradually adopted as minor guardian deity in the Buddhist Pantheon.

The Buddhists across the world believe that Buddhism will remain alive in the world because Kandan is protecting it per the order of Sakiya Muni Gautama Buddha. Buddhist Murugan is Vajrapani or Deity with Vajra Ayutham , whereas Tamil Murugan is holding his Vel Ayutham , He is considered an defender in both. Thiru-Thani literally means “Pacification of Holy Forces “ after war with Evils.

Japanese Murugan : (Ida-Ten) Kandan in Japanese Zen Tradition :The Buddha is a Prince of Peace , Since there are at times that some wars have to be fought to keep the evils forces at bay Kanda (Japanese Ida-Ten) who is a follower of principles of Siva is a God of War . Gods make us better human beings. They allow us to absorb into ourselves their heroic or majestic qualities - a true mystique of participation within the paradigm of spiritual change as said by Chuan Yuan Shakya of Japan. Siva’s Disciple Kandan , Celibate and reclusive god of war. The Siva’s emblem of the bull-horn , Moon Crescent is depicted for Kandadeva (idaten) as in the pic Kandadeva (idaten)

Murugan Worship in Iraq (Kurdistan) : (Malek Taus)

The Yazidis (Ya (south) + Sid (Siddha) = South Siddha = Murugan) are an Aryan People originally from Airyna Vaeja, the mystical homeland of Aryans, who today live primarily in the Nineveh Province of Iraqi Kurdistan. The word aryan is not related to race but refers to “The Righteous”. The Yazidi calendar is 6,764 yrs old and is the oldest calendar in the Middle East. It is believed that about 5,000 yrs ago the yazids migrated to Afghan, iran , iraq and the middle east , at that time they were called as children of Melek Taus. (The Peacock God & Saptha Kanni (7 Angels))

Melek or Malik is an ancient Semite god of Babel and Canaan. Melek or Malik can be seeb in the old Tamil word Malaiklavon(?????????? ), another name for Murugan, the equally ancient and still hugely popular Tamil god of South India.

Airyna Vaeja was an empire of Aryans which included present day India. It also included Turkministan, Uzbekistan, Afganistan and Meda. Meda was part of Iran (a name rooted in the term Aryan) which is in present day Kurdistan. In the Avesta text and Shahnameh text, the legendary King Jamshid of Airyana Vaeja is mentioned. The name Jamshid is latter version of the name Yima Sira or Yima Khshaeta. Yima means 'the radiant'. In Avesta Jamshid is called Yima, son of Vivanghat. While in the Vedas he is called Yama, son of Vivasvant also known as Surya or the Sun god.

Along with malek Taus the Yazidis worship the 7 Angels that was formed by the Peacock god Murugan , ie) Saptha Kanni or 7 Angels , the above picture is representation of Angel , a typical tamil girl litting a peacock lamp (Kuthu Vilakku) as in the above pic.

The Avesta language was named after the Avesta text of the Zoroastrians. The language and style of old Avesta and Rig Veda are so close that they are commonly thought to be different versions of the same language of Sanskrit. The religion of the Yazidis shares much in common with Vedic Hindus. Yazidis have a caste system like Hindus. However no caste-based discrimination has ever been reported among the Yazidis. Yazidis also believe in reincarnation. The Peacock finds a special place in their religion. It is worshiped as Melek Ta'us/Murugan/Skanda/Kārttikeya.

The Peacock is not native of Iraq or Middle East but it is indigenous to South India. The serpent is the totem of Melek Ta'us/Murugan in Yazidi just like in Murugan and the serpent symbolises the Kundalini. yazidis too use tilak and place them upon their foreheads.

Yazidis Celebrating Year Mark :

Another clue is there in Yazidi location of their homeland lies in their mythology of their holy land called Perani which is deformed word of Pazhani, a temple in Dindigul, TN. The deity there is Murugan or Karthikeya or Bala Thandayuthapani. Sumerian Murugan (Mesopotamia, Southern Iraq) : (Marduk)

Marduk Killing Tiamet : The Sumerian Seal shows a scene of a priest worshiping Marduk. He is worshipping the spear called “Mar” and the “H” Shaped weapon, if the figure of Marduk killing snake is keenly observed it can be seen that Marduk is killing the snake with “vajra” weapon in his right hand, while in the left hand; he is holding the other weapon “the four winds”. The four winds are depicted as “H” shaped weapon. The same “Mar” weapon and “H” weapon could be seen in Indus seal also. Together these two symbols might have stood for the phonetic value of “Mar-Duk”.

Another important feature about Marduk is that, he has all the characteristics of later day Tamil god Murugan . Even the old Sumerian document of Sumeria “the 40 names of Marduk “ contains names with similar phonetic sound to that of “Murugan”. He was mentioned by name as Bel which is deformed word of “Vel” , the weapon of Murugan.

It is likely that Murugan was replaced by Indra in later day Indo European literature and Murugan is the elder of the two gods. Further support for this conclusion can be derived from the fact that “Vel” (Spear) is the prime weapon of Murugan, and he is identified with spear all the time. Dumuzid or Tammuz : (Another Sumerian mythological god associated with Murugan) DumuZid (Tamil Siddhar) or Tammuz (Tamil) , is an ancient mesopotamian god associated with shepards who was also the primary consort of the godess inanna (Valli). Researcher have associated Dumuzid and Inanna with Murugan and Valli.

Courtship of Innana and Dummuzid

Cambodia Murugan Worship :

Khmer kandan on his peacock 7th Century AD from Kdei Ang Temple , Kompon Trabek District , Prei Veng Province , Kampuchea

Murugan Worship in Indonesia : Pura Besakih Temple , Known as Bali’s “Mother Temple” for over 1000 yrs , sits 1,000 metres high on the Southwestern slope of Mount Agung. Besakih is artistic and Unique Complex that comprises of at at least 86. To Balinese visiting these temples is a special pilgrimage. There are three temples that is dedicated to Hindu Deity Pura Penataran Agung (Siva) , Pura kiduling kreteg (brahma) and Pura Batu madeg (Vishnu).

Vasuki Temple (Murugan) in Indonesia : Murugan Worship was there in those temples and Vasuki snake is said to have worshipped Muruga there per mythological story.

Murugan in Thailand : Thailand’s Pattaya Sanctuary of Truth has an Old Image of Murugan depicted in it.

Murugan Worship in Bhutan :

Tiger Hills in Bhutan:

Murugan Worship in Malaysia : Batu Caves as shown on the top of the page picture. Murugan Worship from ancient times is famous in Malaysia Batu Caves , Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Tanneermalai Temple in Penang and Sannasimalai Temple in Malacca.

Murugan Worship in Sri Lanka : Very Ancient Murugan temple in Sri Lanka , it is said that during war with Ellalan duttakamanu had prayed to this god for his victory and after his victory he offered valuable things to this temple as said in Mahavamsa , this event had said to have happened 300–500BCE. This is the place where Murugan is said to have done his first agricultural practice started with Fox Millet and Sweet Potato (called as Kumara in New zealand , Peru etc).

Al-Khidr or Al-Khadir , The Green Man : (Murugan worship by Arabs) It is a name ascribed to a figure in the Quoran as a servant of god posessing great wisdom or Mystic knowledge. In various islamic and non islamic traditions he was described as a messenger who guards the sea and teaches secret knowledge .The figure of al-Khidr has been syncretized with various other figures including Sorush in iran ( Sorush was associated with Murugan). Worship of Green Manal-Khidr is the reason for green color of Muslims being used in their religious ceremonies. Al-Khadir , the green god standing over the fish : (Murugan Worship in Middle East)

The word al-Khidr shares the root word with al-Khadra which means green or Verdant. the term doesn’t derive from Arabic. al-Khadir/al-Khidir represents Murugan , the green god who is also known as the first agriculturalist (agriculture god) from Kathigamam. The word Khadir (Kadir) represents name of Murugan (Kathir Velan) and Khadra is a deformed word of Khathir. Do we have any proof for this claim , Yes , there is a proof that adjacent to the Kathirgama Murugan temple there is an ancient Al-Khidr Mosque, the mosque of the Green Man near to Temple of the Agriculturalist Murugan.

Ethymology of the word Kathir + Kamam = Panicle of Millet + Village Foxtail millet was the first cultivated millet , that is the reason why murugan temples were offered with foxtail flour mixed with sweetening agents like honey and jaggery. (Thaenum Thinai Maavum in Tamil). Another crop which he cultivated first was Sweet Potato (Valli Kizhangu or Kumara). Newzealanders call sweet potato as “Kumara” , the name called after Murugan who is also known as Kumaran. Newzealanders came from Peru (Mayan civilisation) via Easter Islands , they carried the tradition from Peru.

It is not just a coincidence , Quoran says that Moses went on search of al-khidr to acquire special knowledge from him , he seems to have met al-khidr where two seas meet , those 2 seas were Arabian sea and bay of Bengal at the meeting point we have island called Sri lanka in which we have an ancient mosque for al-khidr adjacent to kathigama murugan temple (300 metres away). Let us confirm this fact with other evidences , there is a unusual mosque called al-khidr in iran located in Qom region is situated on a hillock , it is an pre islamic mosque said to have existed for 3000 yrs , there is a saying in tamil that where there is hillock there Lives kumaran. The Place Qom here actually means Kumaran.