Why are Shiv Parvathi's sons more popular in South

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dhre

@dhre

Beginner

Posted: 13 years ago

I have a doubt.

Shiva parvathi are supposed to have had three sons. Ganesha, Muruga and Ayappa.

As far as I know Ganesha is a popular icon all over India. But why are other two sons more popular in the South of India? The biggest temples for them are here. Anyone knows? How this part of Shiva's legacy drifted away from the hearts of those in Northern India?

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Tinacool

@Tinacool

Dazzler

Posted: 13 years ago

Ayyappa is popular in kerala because he was raised in Pandalam Palace in Kerala as the son of the King there. He was left in the forest so that he would be found by the king and raised there. He was born to kill the asur princess Mahishi which u must be aware of.
I think this could be one of the reasons why Ayyappa is more popular in south mainly in Kerala and most people there are Ayyappa and Guruvayoorappan (Lord Krishna) devotees.

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Darshita Patel

@darshita10

Beginner

Posted: 13 years ago

You could get answers to all your questions by reading the book "7 Secrets of Shiva" by Devdutt Pattanaik.

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Vrish

@Vr15h

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 13 years ago

Ayappa was not the son of Parvati - he was the son of Shiva & Mohini (Vishnu's enchantress form)

I have no idea about why the relatively higher popularity of all 3 in the South (if one counts Maharashtra in the South)

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Chandra

@Roark

Rocker

Posted: 13 years ago

Agree with vrish (I guess thats what I am doing here, agreeing to Vrish and Vaarali).

Dont know about the relative popularity but Ayappa was the son of Shiva and Vishnu in his mohini avatar. he was created to kill Mahishi as she had a boon that she will die only in the hands of s son begotten by Vishnu and Shiva. He is most popular in Kerala.

Ganesh was created by Parvati while Karthikeya was by Shiva, thus making them sons of Shiva and Parvathi. In tamil Nadu, Karthikeya, Subramanya or Skanda as he is popularaly known as in myriad forms is very very popular. In karanataka its more of Ganesha. but if I am right and again agree with vrish Maharashtra is the one which is more towards Ganesha than any of the other southern states.

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shruti

@-Nymphadora-

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 13 years ago

the reason why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Maharasthra with Pomp may be attributed to the fact that during the freedom struggle Bal Gagadhar Tilak started celebrating a sravajanik (as in a large festivity for everyone) in order to get people together

and the trend caught up...and now there are Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsavs all over!

its not only in Maharastra but in the entire Konkan belt-Ganesh Chaturthi is a BIG thing(just a month left!!yipeee)...

every house(Hindu House) celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi

im just waiting for Chaturthi to come!!!

Edited by shruti.nil - 13 years ago

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CHAYA UMESH

@chai2k7

Beginner

Posted: 13 years ago

in tamil nadu skanda is very popular... the festival harohara is celebrated with hugh pomp and even in karnataka there s a place called called kukke subramanya which is said to be very pious...many devotees along with famous celebs come here to get their naga dosha cleared...

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Rumjhum Laha

@Patrarekha

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 13 years ago

is murugan and kartikeya are same??

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varaali

@varaali

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

Originally posted by: aru_86
is murugan and kartikeya are same??

Yes.

Muruga's worship is prevalant not only in Tamil Nadu / K'taka / AP, but also in Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia, Philipines , Singapore. Basically, wherever the Tamil language spread, it took along with it the legends, hymns and worship of Murugan.

Why was this so? Because, right from the beginning, Muruga's sanctity percolated down to the lowest strata of society. He was the cherished god of every class of people- tribesmen , fishermen, Vedic pundits. Muruga's beloved, Valli, belonged to the hunter / tribal sect which has made them regard Murugan - even today - as their son-in-law. And as the propounder of the mantra "OM" and having once been the guru of his father himself, Muruga or Subramanian, has also been revered by the brahmin / pundit class.

Add to this, it is believed that it was Muruga who taught Agastya the intricacies of Tamil language which has inexorably entwined Tamil and Muruga. So, ever since Tamil culture came into existence, Muruga had been treated on par with Shiva, Vishnu and Devi

Edited by varaali - 13 years ago