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Karuppuswamy
Tamil Hindu deity From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Karuppuswamy or Karupparayan (Tamil: கருப்பசாமி, Malayalam: കറുപ്പണ്ണസാമി; romanization: Karuppusāmi, lit. 'Black God' or 'Black'), is a guardian deity (kaval daivam) in the Dravidian folk religion tradition of Hinduism, especially among rural and agrarian communities in Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka. He is revered as a fierce protector, upholder of justice, and divine enforcer of dharma (righteousness).[2]
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Among Dravidians, Karuppuswamy is represented as a village deity (gramadevata) as well as in an ancestral deity (kuladevata) practices. Adherents, especially in Tamil Nadu and the border regions of Kerala, believe that the deity was once a historical figure who fought for the protection of his community and, over time, became deified.
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Temples
Karuppuswamy temples are found outside of settlements, with entire villages contributing to the maintenance of them. These temples do not have gopurams, but do house large statues of deities with large eyes, holding weapons like bows and arrows, swords, and sickles.
Worship
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Perspective
Karuppuswamy worship is based on an ancient ancestral, clan-based worship system in Hinduism. Here, most officiating priests are non-Brahmanas, and derive from local lineages that had initiated the religion generations ago. The worship pattern is non-Vedic, or non-Agamic, and told through folk tales, songs, art and dance, including Villu Paattu, Karakattam, Koothu.
The local priests offer flowers and vibhuti (holy ash) to worshippers, and play the role of oracles. Various people within the clan system are nominated to play the role of oracle on an annual turn basis. They undertake a vrata and maintain chastity and purity during the period in which they are the oracle. During festivals, oracles get into the trance state of Swami Adudhal and deliver counselling messages to the group assembled there without bias.
The trance is an important phenomenon that occurs in Karuppuswamy worship. This phenomenon essentially enables the god to possess the body of a human, who then goes on to display physical traits of the god. This is usually done at major festivals or prayers, and is considered to be a clear sign of the physical presence or blessing of the god. Some practitioners willingly invoke the god into their bodies, while for others it happens without their control. Trance is also used as a platform for devotees to communicate with the god and vice versa, to provide solutions and advises for a multitude of topics.
In some temples, before the oracles deliver counselling messages, they stand on top of a aruval (specifically, forms of Karuppuswamy as Periyakaruppu, Muthukaruppu, or Muppiliyaan). The normal problems addressed can include family problems, financial troubles, and local community and social issues for resolution within the community group with the agreement of a local ancestral god through oracle. Whenever the wishes of the people are granted, they give their offerings to him based on what they vowed to offer.[3] He is worshipped through several traditional ceremonies like Kodei Vila, Mayaana Vettei, Kalari thiruvila, and Theemithi, as well as via several methods like Nadu Kazh Valipadu and Aruval Vazhipadu.[4]
Karuppuswamy is worshipped in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Guadeloupe, Singapore, Malaysia, Martinique as Sangili Karuppan, Sangani Baba.
In Indo-Caribbean Dravidian folk religion
In Caribbean Shaktism in Guyana,[5] Karuppuswamy is called Sangani Baba. In the Indo-Caribbean communities of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Sangani Baba is worshipped as a powerful god.
In Indo-Caribbean Shaktism, Sangani Baba is revered as a god who can provide counsel and guidance. During festivals and special occasions, individuals chosen as oracles enter into a trance-like state, known as Swami Adudhal. In this state, they channel the messages and advice Sangani Baba to the assembled devotees, addressing their personal and community concerns and solving them.[6]
Sangani Baba is often associated with the color black, which symbolizes his fierce and protective nature. He is considered a guardian god who offers his devotees protection, prosperity, and guidance. His worship in Indo-Caribbean Shaktism has elements of Hinduism that have been passed down through generations.[7]
Devotees offer various items to Sangani Baba as part of their worship, including Vedic items such as camphor, butter, cloves, ghee. Non-Vedic offerings, such as cigarettes and alcohol, are also made to him in these regions.[8]
Sacrifices of black chickens and black goats are made as part of rituals dedicated to Sangani Baba, showing the offering of life and the seeking of his blessings and favour.[9]
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Annual festivals
The village committee decides when the annual festival would be conducted. The time of year this occurs varies across villages and their local customs. Generally, the mass convention assembly of a large number of related family members is organized in the spring for 2 days. The festival begins with hoisting of a flag and tying a Kaappu. After this time, villagers cannot leave the village, but can still enter from others should they wish. Once the festival ends, people may leave the village and go to a different one.[10]
Forms
The 21 forms of Karuppannaswamy represent different roles, energies, and duties carried out by the same divine guardian. These forms are not "different gods," but rather different faces or modes of Karuppar, each one suited for specific purposes like protection, justice, healing, guarding, punishing, or guiding.
They come from oral tradition, village worship, trance rituals (sami adudhal), and kuladeivam customs, not from Vedic or temple-based Agamic texts. Therefore, these forms may differ slightly between regions.
- Sappani Karuppannaswamy
- Muthu Karuppannaswamy
- Madhayanai Karuppasamy
- Sangili Karuppannaswamy
- Sonei Karuppannaswamy
- Vettai Karuppannaswamy
- Punugu Karuppannaswamy
- Mada Karuppannaswamy
- Aandi Karuppannaswamy
- Veera Karuppannaswamy
- Periya Karuppannaswamy
- Sameiya Karuppannaswamy
- Chinna Karuppannaswamy
- Khottai Karuppannaswamy
- Maaradi Karuppannaswamy
- Malaiyala Karuppannaswamy
- Aagaya Karuppannaswamy
- Maaya Karuppannaswamy
- Mandu Karuppannaswamy
- Maasaana Karuppannaswamy
- Santhana Karuppannaswamy
- Aathimarathu Karuppannaswamy
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See also
References
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