தநதமல ஸர மரகன ஆலய வரலறம வழபடம / History and Worship of Thaanthamalai Sri Murugan Temple

Various studies indicate that worship and festivals were prevalent in the Indus Valley Civilisation, considered one of the world's oldest civilisations, as early as 5000 BCE. This continuity saw a focus on nature worship during the Vedic period. Before the Tholkappiyam era, the worship of the Kadamba tree and associated festivals were practised. This tradition of Hindu religious practices and related activities has continued from the Sangam period to the present day. As Murugan worship gained prominence globally, temples dedicated to him also began to flourish. In the Sangam period, Murugan was considered the son of Kottravai. Initially, Kottravai led battles, but as the intensity of war increased, Murugan took over the leadership, as mentioned in Purapporul Venbamalai. Consequently, Murugan was referred to as Kottravai's son. This form of Murugan worship is practised in various regions across Sri Lanka, with numerous Murugan temples located throughout the country. In this lineage, the Thaanthamalai Sri Murugan Temple in Batticaloa, Eastern Sri Lanka, holds special significance. Folk traditions suggest that the temple's history is connected with figures such as Koothikan-Senan, Ulakanachchi, Aadakasoundari, and Kulakottan. Thaanthamalai is also known by other names like Saanthamalai, Thaandavakiri, and Pokkisamalai. Sinhalese people refer to it as Santhimalai. In the early days, the Veddas were primarily associated with this worship. Previously, the temple existed as a mountain temple, and later as a temporary shed (koththu panthal). After the destruction of these early structures, the Murugan temple was established at the foot of the mountain. Extensive research on this temple appears to be lacking, leading to existing gaps in its historical and cultural understanding. To address this gap, this paper examines the Thaanthamalai Sri Murugan Temple under the title "Thaanthamalai Sri Murugan Temple: History and Worship." The objective of this study is to uncover and present the history of the Thaanthamalai Sri Murugan Temple and its current status. To complete this research, articles published in the Thaanthamalai Kumbhabhishekam souvenir, books related to the temple, and other articles were read and analysed. Information was gathered by administering questionnaires to the temple administration and conducting interviews with the public and others associated with the temple. Additionally, information was obtained through telephone conversations with individuals residing in distant areas. This study employs a historical research approach to unearth the historical background and a descriptive research approach to present the findings in detail. Thus, this research paper aims to shed light on the history, worship, and associated cultural aspects of this temple.