Picture of Lord of Animals from Dilmun (Bahrain)
Hindu Gods and Animals
Muthuswami Dikshitar, one of the Musical Trinity of Tamil Nadu, rightly praised Lord Shiva as the one who blessed even the animals, birds and insects along with the saints. Dikshitar, in his composition ‘Thyagarajasya’ in Bekata raga, says it in the line ‘Muni, Pakshi, Mruga, Kidathi mukti pradha’.
In two other places he refers to two mythological stories where Vishnu helped the trees and a garden lizard.
King Nruka donated a cow which was already donated and so was cursed to be born as a garden lizard. He was released from that lizard form by Lord Krishna. Muthuswami Dikshitar sang about it in his composition Govindarajam in Mukari Raga. The line of reference to this is ‘ Nruka rajasya grukalasa Janmapaham’.
He sang about Kubera’s sons Nalakuparan and Manigreevan who became trees (Marutha Maram in Tamil) by the curse of Narada and got released by Krishna in the tree/Mortar episode.
Gajendra Moksha episode is linked with many shrines including Tirumohur near Madurai. Lord Vishnu saved the elephant Gajendra from the mouth of a crocodile. Please see my earlier posts for the full story.
The spider and elephant story of Tiruanaikkaval near Trichy is very popular.
Madurai is the place associated with Shiva’s 64 ‘leelas’ (Divine games). Shiva helped pigs, swallow, heron and even a plant Mulli (in Tamil). Following is the list of towns that link animals with Lord Shiva:
Animals associated with Lord Shiva (Place names indicate where the temples are situated)
Elephant :Madurai, Trukkanapper, Tirukkurraalam, Tiruanaikka, Kalahasthi
Karivalam vantha nallur
Lion – Tirunallur ( Vishnu: Narasingam near Madurai, Sholingar,Hampi in A.P.)
Tiger –Perumpuliyur, Puliyur/ Chidambaram Vyagrapureeswarar
Horse – Ayavanthi
Cow -- Thirukkondeeswaram, Tiruaduthurai, Karuvur, Avur ,Patteeswaram , Tiruamathur
Goats – Tiruadanai
Bull/ eru---Tiruvaiyaru
Monkey – Kurankaduthurai, Kurankanimuttam, Kurankukaa, Kurankuth thali, Valikandapuram
Pig –sivapuram ,Pandrimalai, Madurai
Donkey – Karaveeram
Rabbit—Tiruppathiripuliyur
Birds
Crow --- Kurankanimuttam, Tirunallaru (as Vahana of Tirunallaru Saneeswaran)
Heron – Naraiyur ,Madurai
Kari kuruvi-- Valivalam ,Madurai
Eagle/ falcon /Garudan—Sirukudi, Tirukkazuku kundram, Vaitheeswaran kovil
(Parrots: Madurai, Srivillliputtur, Kanchipuram )
Beetle – Srisailam, Tiruvendurai, Valoliputhur
Amphibians and water living creatures
Frog –Utrathur
Crab –Tirunthuthevankudi
Turtle –Tirumanamcheri
Fish – Tiruchelur
Picture of Pasupati Seal (Lord of Animals from Indus Valley)
Reptiles and small insects
Fly – Eengoimalai, Tiruchitremam
Ant – Tiruerumpur, Erumpiiswaram
Snake –Kalahasthi, Tiruppampuram, Kutanthai keelkottam, Tirunageswaram, Tirunagaikaronam, Nagarkoil, Sankarankoil
Spider –Kalahasthi, tTruanaika
Squirrel – Kurankanimuttam
Iguana/Udumpu – Tirumakaral
Tirumakaral is near Kanchipuram. King Rajendra Choza built a temple for lord Shiva 1000 years ago at Tirumakaral. The king saw a golden colour iguana in a shrub. When he ordered his servants to catch it, they cut the plants in the bush. When they accidentally cut the tail of the animals, blood gushed out. On seeing it,the king fainted an heard a voice from the sky that he should build a temple there.
Every town has at least one animal story. This shows what that they believed in. As a result of such beliefs they respected the animals particularly, the cows the monkeys and the elephants. All the temples do regular Pujas (worship) to Cow and Elephant known as Go Puja and Gaja Puja.
Picture of Lord of Animals from Denmark (Gundestrup Cauldron)
50 Articles on Animals and Birds written & posted by me:
To get my articles just google the title and add “in tamilandvedas.wordpress.com” or “in swamiindology.blogspot.com” .They are also posted in tamilbrahmins.com and The Speaking Tree.
Did Humans Communicate with Animals?
The Great Scorpion Mystery Part 1 and Part 2
The Story of Hypocritical Cat
Deer Chariot: Rig Veda to Santa Claus
45 Words for Elephant
Elephant Miracles
Gajendra Moksha in Africa
Do Animals Have Feelings?
Vishnu in Indus Valley
Serpent Queen: From Indus Valley to Sabarimalai
Bull Fighting: From Indus Valley to Spain via Tamil Nadu
Vedic Dog and Church Dog
Tiger Goddess of Indus Valley
Donkeys in Tamil and Sanskrit Literature
Four Birds in One Sloka
Animal Einsteins in Ancient Sanskrit and Tamil Literature
Animal Einsteins –Part 2
Vedic Homa Bird
Double Headed Eagle: Sumerian-Indian Connection
When Animals worship God, Why Not Men?
Eagle Shaped Fire Altar of Karikal Choza
Two Little Animals that Inspired Indians
Three Wise Monkeys from India
Mysterious Fish Gods around the World
Gods and Birds
Hindu Eagle Mystery Deepens
Can Parrots Recite Vedas?
Can Birds Predict your Future?
Multi Lingual Parrot mimics Arabic, Urdu and English Words
Mysterious Tamil Birdman
Birds for Finding Direction: Sumer to Tamil Nadu
Articles on VAHANAS (Mounts of GODS):
Vahanas in Kalidasa and Ancient Tamil Literature
Hindu Vahanas around the World
Hindu Vahanas in Italy and Greece
Vahanas on Coins and in Sculptures
Interesting Facts about Vahanas
Seven Gods Procession on Vahanas
Who Rides on What Vahana (Animal or Bird)?
Indian Crow by Mark Twain
Tamil Articles தமிழ் கட்டுரைகள்
அதிசய பறவைத் தமிழன்
கா.. கா.. கா..கா!!
கரிகால் சோழனின் பருந்து வடிவ யாக குண்டம்
வாகனங்கள் தோன்றியது எங்கே?
எந்தக் கடவுளுக்கு என்ன வாகனம்?
சுமேரியாவில் தமிழ் பறவை
தேள் தெய்வம்
பாம்பு ராணி
வேத நாயும் மாதா கோவில் நாயும்
கழுதைக்குத் தெரியுமா கற்பூர வாசனை
சிந்து சமவெளியில் ஒரு புலிப் பெண்
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