The Origin of Deity Worship in Tamil Culture (From Nadukal Worship to Small Deity Worship)

Abstract

This world is differentiated by various factors such as civilization, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, and tradition. Each country has its unique culture, tradition, and civilization, operating independently. Amidst these differences, certain cultural elements share a unified perspective across the globe. Examples include worshiping the divine and honoring ancestors. While different nations follow distinct methods of worship and ancestral reverence, the core idea remains unchanged. In ancient times, humans, being nomads, would abandon their dead in the wilderness due to lack of knowledge about handling corpses. Later, as civilizations developed, humans began burying their dead. To identify the burial site, they arranged stones around it. Over time, this practice evolved into erecting a single stone, known as Nadukal, bearing the name and details of the deceased in script. This Nadukal tradition aimed to honour and commemorate the dead, preserving their legacy for future generations.

Tamil society adapted this tradition, laying the foundation for idol worship. Although the Nadukal tradition is found worldwide, its significance in Tamil Nadu is uniquely intertwined with the lives of Tamils. While other nations also honoured their dead, Tamils took this tradition to greater heights, restricting it to warriors who died in battle, protected their communities or demonstrated exceptional bravery. In Tamil Nadu, Nadukal was not a common practice for every deceased person. Instead, it was reserved for warriors who died in battle, protected their villages, or performed heroic deeds. There is no evidence of Nadukal or inscriptions dedicated to ordinary citizens. Furthermore, this article focuses on the notion that Tamils were the pioneers of the Nadukal tradition, which served as a precursor to the global societal practice.