பெருங்கருணையம்மை பிள்ளைத்தமிழ் கூறும் அவிநாசித் திருத்தலத்தின் சிறப்புக்களும் வழிபாட்டு முறைகளும் / Special Features and Worship Traditions of Avinasi Temple as Evinced in Perunkarunaiammai Pillaithamil

Abstract

Worship was essential for man to know himself and to live in harmony with society when he sought to live a morally depraved life. When the virtues and social morals in human life are well respected and followed, people's lives become pure and happy. Religions were formed to teach people virtue and morality when they lost their morals. Later on, they brought in idolatry as well. Then temples started to be formed. These later became community centres. They also served as food halls for the poor and the disabled. But it must be said that the ancient cults were completely different from this. They were very afraid of natural disasters such as hurricanes, storms, volcanic eruptions, and ocean waves. They fully believed that there was a power in the universe beyond themselves. Because of that, they worshipped nature itself as God. Because of that worship, nature also protected itself. As human civilization grew, the temples also became more and more. The nature of each clan as one God changed and they built and worshipped their temples according to their religion and clan. The state of worshipping the Lord by dividing the God based on caste and building their temples has developed. Religious sages lived without selfishness and devoted their lives to the people and their needs. When any evil befell the people or the kings, they protected them from evil. In this way, Avinashi is a special place that was praised by religious gurus like Arunagirinathar, Appar, Sundarar, and Manikkavasakar. The thalapurana mentions that Avinasiyappar is the one who existed from the root of Vishwanatha in Kashi. Thus, this article is based on the merits of the divine Avinasi temple and the methods of worship.

Keywords

• special features
• worship traditions
• avinasi temple
• pillaithamil.