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| Karuppuswamy | |
|---|---|
Patroller of Boundaries[1] | |
 Idol of Karuppannaswamy | |
| Other names |
|
| Affiliation | Dravidian folk religion |
| Abode | Not accurate |
| Weapon | Aruval,Spear,Gada,Sword,Silver stick |
| Day | Wednesday|Friday|Saturday |
| Mount | Horse,Elephant |
Karuppusamy, also known asKaruppu orKaruppannaswamy(Tamil:கருப்பண்ணசுவாமிMalayalam:കറുപ്പണ്ണസാമി ),(lit. 'Black God' or'Black') is aHindu god inTamil Nadu, popular among the social groups ofTamil Nadu andKerala and alsoSri Lanka. He is one of 21guardian deities ofAyyanar, and is one of 21guardian deities inDravidian folk religion.[2]
Karuppu Samy temples are found in outside of villages. Whole villages contribute to maintenance oftemples. These temples do not havegopurams and have large statues ofdeities with large eyes, holding weapons likebows and arrows,swords,sickles and otherweapons. There are statues of eightMatrikas and ahound, alion and ahorse with a main statue of Karuppu Samy.
Karuppu Samy worship is based on an ancient ancestral clan-based worship system inHinduism. Here, most officiating priests are non -Brahmanas, and derive from local lineages that had initiated the cult generations ago. The worship pattern is non-Vedic or non-Agamic through folk tales, songs and arts ofVillu Paattu,Karakattam,Koothu, etc. The local priests offerflowers andvibhuti (holy ash) to worshippers and plays a role of aoracle. Various people within the clan system are identified to play to the role of oracle on an annual turn basis. They undertake avrata and maintain chastity and purity during the period. During the festivals, oracles get into Trance state of Sami Adudhal and deliver counselling messages to the group assembled there without bias. In some temples before the oracles deliver counselling messages, oracles stand on top of aaruval (Specifically Forms of Periyakaruppu,Muthukaruppu and Muppiliyaan). The normal problems addressed are family problems, financial troubles and local community and social issues for resolving within the community group with the agreement of local ancestral god through oracle. Whenever the wishes of the people are granted, they give their offerings to him based on what theyvowed to offer.[3]
Karuppu Samy is worshipped inTrinidad and Tobago,Guyana,Fiji,Mauritius,Réunion,Seychelles,Guadeloupe,Singapore,Malaysia andMartinique as Sangili Karuppan, Sangani Baba.
The village committee would decide on when the annual festival be conducted. The time of the year when this would fall varies with villages and their local customs. Generally, the mass convention assembly of a large number of related family members is organized duringspring for 2 days. The beginning of this festival will be with hoisting of a flag and tying a Kaappu. After this time, villagers cannot go out of the village but come in from a different village and after a festival ends, people can go out of the village and go to a different village.
Trance is an important phenomenon that occurs in Karuppu Swami worship. This phenomenon essentially enables the deity to possess the body of a human, who then goes on to display physical traits of the deity. This is usually done at major festivals or prayers, and is considered to be a clear sign of the physical presence or blessing of the deity. Some practitioners willingly invoke the deity into their bodies, while for others it happens without their control. Trance is also used as a platform for devotees to communicate with the deity and vice versa, to provide solutions and advises for a multitude of topics.
According to traditional folk opinion,[4]
The above is the 21 names given by the people according to a popular legend among the people. But the majority of people accepted that there are108 forms of god. In this way, one hundred and eight names are attached to the names of the area where the people live, so it is also an unacceptable legend.Moreover, according to people skilled in yantra mantras and according to Malayalam culture, only 18 forms of these deities are accepted. It is also accepted that there are 4 other forms that do not belong to those 18 forms.
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InCaribbean Shaktism inGuyana,[5] He is Sangani Baba. In theIndo-Caribbean community ofTrinidad and Tobago,Guyana,Suriname,Guadeloupe, andMartinique, Sangani Baba is worshipped as a powerful deity.
Sangani Baba is often associated with the color black, which symbolizes his fierce and protective nature. He is considered a guardian deity, offering his devotees protection, prosperity, and guidance. His worship in Indo-Caribbean Shaktism has elements of Hinduism that have been passed down through generations.[6]
Devotees offer various items to Sangani Baba as part of their worship. These offerings can include Vedic items such ascamphor,butter,cloves, andghrita. However, non-Vedic offerings such ascigarettes andalcohol are also made to him in these regions, reflecting the Tamil nature of the worship.[7]
Sacrifices of blackchickens and blackgoats are made as part of rituals dedicated to Sangani Baba, showing the offering of life and the seeking of his blessings and favor. These practices reflect the deep connection and devotion of the Indo-Caribbean community Sangani Baba.[8]
In Indo-Caribbean Shaktism, Sangani Baba is revered as a deity who can provide counsel and guidance. During festivals and special occasions, individuals chosen as oracles enter into a trance-like state, known as Svami Adudhal. In this state, they channel the messages and advice Sangani Baba to the assembled devotees, addressing their personal and community concerns and solving them.[9]
