How to Worship Sangili Karuppan
On September 25, 2024In the pre-Vedic era, people in the Indian subcontinent worshipped many folk deities. Sangili Karuppan or Karuppu Sami is a Tamil deity who is popular in the rural areas of South India, especially Tamil Nadu and some parts of Kerala. He is one among the 21 associate folk deities of Ayyanar and also a guardian deity or Kaaval Deivam. His attributes make him quite unlike other gods in the Hindu pantheon. The worship of Sangili Karuppan goes back to ancient times when spiritual knowledge was transmitted orally.
Sangili Karuppan is one of the most renowned of the Karuppasamy clan of deities. His worship has recently become more popular thanks to Tamil movies like Kaalai, Kannaathaal, and Karuppusamy Kuthagaithaarar.
History of Sangili Karuppan Worship
Karuppu means ‘black’, and so he is associated with night and darkness. The ancient Tamils worshipped brave warriors or Veerargal. They erected formless stones called Veera Kal, Veerakkal, or Nadukkal to honor their memory. Such fallen warriors, martyrs, or people who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause, like protecting the community, were much respected. People believe that Karuppanar protects the poor and ensures justice and self-discipline. He is a fierce warrior who never forgives sinners or criminals. He wards off evil and prevents demons and devils from entering the village. He is the master of the land he protects and a warrior who protects the village boundaries.
Legend of Karuppaswamy
Lord Rama sent his pregnant wife Sita to the forest, bowing to public opinion, which cast doubt on her chastity due to her abduction by Ravana. Sita took refuge in Sage Valmiki's ashram, and gave birth to Rama’s son.
One day, she had to go out on an errand and she asked the sage to take care of her child, Luva, who was sleeping in the cradle. After a while, the sage began to meditate. When Sita returned, she found the sage deep in meditation. She took her child without disturbing the sage.
When he finished his meditation, Valmiki was shocked to find the child missing. He put some holy Darba grass in the cradle and uttering a Mantra, turned it into a child. Later when he found that Sita had her real child with her, he asked Sita to accept the child he had created also as her own.
When Rama came to fetch Sita, he found two boys (Lava and Kusha) instead of one. To find out who his real heir was, he asked them to undergo a trial by fire. While Luva emerged unscathed, Kusha’s body got burnt and became dark.
When Rama came to know how Kusha had been born, he blessed him to become his guardian deity (Kaaval deivam) and gave him the name “Karuppannan” which became Karuppa Sami.
Karuppanar Temples
One can find Karuppanar Kovils or temples on the outskirts of villages. The entire village helps to maintain the temple. The temple is usually in an open space and won’t have Gopurams like other temples. One can see large statues of deities carrying weapons like bows and arrows, swords, knives, and others alongside him. Idols of other Goddesses (7 Kannimaar or the 7 Virgins) called Saptha Kannimar are also present in his temples. His pet animals - a hunting dog, a lion and his mount, a white horse are part of his entourage.
Karuppu Sami statues are black in color and decorated with chains. He usually holds a sword with bells attached. As part of his worship, a cigar is lit and placed in his mouth. Alcohol is one of the offerings.
People often worship Karuppu Sami, along with deities like Madurai Veeran and Muneeswarar. There is a renowned temple for Karuppasamy at Azaghar Koil, near Madurai. Here, people revere him as Pathinettampadi Karuppu. He is the guardian deity of this temple. The deity is a formless stone decorated with a turban, dhoti, flowers, and garlands. He holds an "Aruval," a long machete similar to a scimitar, a sword, occasionally a lance, a trident, and a smaller knife.
The Aruval is a symbol of Karuppanar. Some are 5 feet long, especially the ones in Thiruppaachhi. Karuppar is also associated with musical instruments like Tappu, Tharai, Kombu Tharai, Otha Thamukku, Pambai, Udukkai, and Urumee.
Attributes of Sangili Karuppan
Courage
Karuppar is a warrior god, who is quick to answer his devotees’ prayers. Due to his Asura/Araka background, he possesses many human characteristics.
Anecdotal stories laud his fearlessness. It is said that he can confront an army of demons without any fear. He is good at catching ghosts. The Sangili (chain) is his weapon of choice when it comes to battling evil entities.
He captures demons, spirits, and djinns which torment human beings. Even Ayyanar and Muneeswaran, who are themselves powerful gods, take his help occasionally to capture a particularly strong or cunning evil entity. Supposedly, he always arrives with a thunderous roar and the clanging sound of chains. It is enough to send entire demon armies fleeing in fright.
Compassion
Though he is ruthless toward malevolent and evil beings, he can also be very compassionate. Even if you did something wrong, if you truly repent your mistake and seek him, he will forgive and offer you his protection.
There are stories of Karuppar clashing with other gods just to protect his devotees and performing many miracles. He has blessed childless couples with progeny, saved devotees from certain death, and taken unto himself punishments meant for his devotees. Hence, he has a reputation for being a rebel god.
How to Worship Sangili Karuppan
The worship of Karuppanar is a very ancient and ancestral clan-based practice. It is akin to Shamanism. Most of the priests are non-Brahmins and come from local lineages that began the cult generations ago.
The worship is non-Vedic or non-Agamic in nature and is through the media of folk tales, folk songs, and folk arts, like Villu pattu, Karagam, Koothhu, etc. The local priest may offer flowers or Vibhuti (holy ash) to the devotees. He often plays the role of an oracle, called Kodangi, as well. Various individuals within the clan are chosen in turns to be the oracle every year. They observe Vrat/fast and maintain celibacy and purity during the fasting period. During festivals, the oracle goes into a trance state called ‘Saami aadudhal’ and pronounces certain messages to the assembled group. Devotees believe that the deity enters the oracle’s body and speaks through him. The messages, called ‘Arul Vaakku,’ may refer to family problems, financial issues, local community disputes, and social problems that demand resolution within the community with the approval of the local ancestral deity through the oracle. People whose wishes are granted make offerings to him.
It is said that Karuppar cannot be controlled by magic and Mantras. Meditation and Japa are the ideal ways to reach him. Many devotees claim to have experienced strange occurrences like sudden gusts of wind, thunder and lightning, sounds of clanging chains, strong smell of cigar or alcohol, etc., on making connection with Karuppar during their worship.
To worship him at home, one should have an altar for him, separate from the other deities. Frame a picture of him and place it on the altar. Put a heavy chain similar to those in bicycle locks below the deity’s image.
Choose a time to worship him daily. His energy is more active at night so evening hours are best. Sit facing the deity and focus on his image for minimum 30 thirty minutes daily.
After this, chant the Mantra, ‘Aum Sangili Karupanaswamyeh Thunai’ (meaning Oh black warrior God wielding the chains, be with me) 108 times.
Festivals for Sangili Karuppan
Village committees decide to hold an annual mass convention based on each village's local folklore and customs. A large group of family members take part in it. Generally, the convention takes place during the spring season for 2 to 3 days.
The festival commences with flag-hoisting and tying the "Kaappu." After this, the villagers will not be able to leave the village. But they can enter from outside.
On this occasion, several goats and chickens are sacrificed for Karuppanar. People also offer him Beedis or cigars and Naravam (toddy), etc.
Kutti Kudithal/Goat Sacrifice rituals
Kutti Kudithal is a unique sacrifice ritual for Karuppar. It is performed by non-Brahmins in Tamil Nadu. In this ritual, the oracle, called Marulali, who is dancing in a trance-like state, will suck the sacrificial goat or lamb’s blood from the neck while the animal is still alive on the sacrificial altar. Even now, this ritual takes place in some Karuppu Swamy temples, such as Sappani Karuppar temple and Vanapatrai street Tiruchirappalli. Sandhana Karuppar, the son of Ugra Kali Amman of Tennur, Trichy, Ondi Karuppar of Kuzhumai Amman Temple, Puthur, Trichy, and Sengolathan Karuppar of Kulanthalayee Amman Temple, Woraiyur, Trichy, are well-known for this ritual that happens every year in the Tamil months of Panguni and Masi. Hundreds of goats have their blood sucked in this manner.
The Tamil month of Aadi is also very auspicious for Karuppa Sami worship.
