INTRODUCTION :
Madurai Veeran is a Tamil folk deity popular in southern Tamil Nadu, India. His name was derived as a result of his relationship with the city of Madurai and he is the protector of Madurai. Madurai Veeran protected Madurai and Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple and is still protecting Madurai and all of his devotees.
Worship
Madurai Veeran is commonly worshiped as a guardian deity by the Tamils. When the town of Madurai was troubled by bandits, the Pandyan king ordered Veeran to fight. Veeran then met Vellaiyammal, a royal danseuse, and both of them were attracted against each other.
The Pandyan king, who was himself attracted to Vellaiyammal, did not encourage this affair. Some people in the king’s court complained to the king that the delay in attacking the robbers was due to the fault of Madurai Veeran. This made the king to become furious, and chopped his one hand and one leg and afterwards he ordered his guards to kill him also. On hearing about this, Bommi and Vellaiyammal(both of them loved Madurai Veeran), asked the king for the injustice caused to Madurai Veeran.
History says, that Madurai Veeran is brought back to life by the effort of Bommi and Vellaiyammal. Veeran, thereafter has taken his shelter in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.
A shrine was later erected at the east gate of Meenakshiamman Temple by the Pandyan king. The story persists through the singing of songs and street theatre.
Temples
Today there are several temples dedicated to Madurai Veeran across tamilnadu, kerala, Malaysia, Singapore and south africa. One famous temple dedicated to Madurai Veeran is situated in Hanumanthapuram,Chenglepet District,Chenglepet,Tamilnadu. At this temple there are shrines for 18 feet statue Maduraiveeran, Pachaiamman,Nataraja,Bhairavar and Karrupannaswamy besides seven kannimars. All of these deities are KULADEIVAM to many people and also are KAVAL DEIVANGAl for all the people who worship them. He still protects his devotees from thieves and he is worshipped by everyone, without any caste discrimination.
Nearby my home, one small road side temple is dedicated to Madurai Veeran in Agaram, Chennai. People will gather in that temple during festivals and give their offerings.
CONCLUSION
Madurai veeran who is a guardian of Madurai, will also be with us as our guardian, and will protect us from all sorts of problems, and safeguard us from our enemies. We can worship Madurai veeran by going to his temples or otherwise, we can worship him at our home with his picture. He will definitely answer to our prayers and will be with us. Let us pray to the Great and Brave Madurai Veeran for our wellness in our life and chant his nama ‘OM SREE MADURAI VEERANE NAMAHA’.
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
