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Muniandi (Tamil: முனியாண்டி) is a regional Tamil guardian deity. The deity Muniandi refers to the Munis wroshipped by the Tamil people. Munis are a class of guardian deities which are classified as Siva Gana. They are servants of the Supreme God Siva and his female half Sakthi. The Munis could be former warriors, kings, sorcerers or sages who achieved the status of a Muni after their human death. Some of the Munis worshipped were created as Munis and did not go through the human life cycle.
The Munis are worshipped as Guardian Deity (Kaval Deivam), Favourite Deity (Ishta Deivam) and Clan/Family Deity (Kula Deivam). Muniandi is also known as Muniappan, Aandiappan, Munisamy and Muniswaran.
Origin of Muniandi:
There are many theories on the origins of these Munis. There are also mythological stories passed down orally for generations. According to one of the oral tradition, the Saptha Muni (7 Munis) were created to protect Goddess Sakthi in the form of Goddess Pachaiamman against 7 Arakar Veerars (Demonic Warriors - Asuras). Various Pachaiamman temples in Tamil Nadu, India has statues for these Munis.
These are the names of the 7 Arakar Veerars:
Agni Veeran
Anithanthira Veeran
Thakkapathala Veeran
Thanathanthiran Veeran
Ilakana Veeran
Elilkana Veeran
Ugra Veeran
During the last few decades, some Gurukkals in Malaysia and Singapore have been trying to equate the Munis to Sivan himself by fusing the story of Muni into the story of Daksha Yagam. According to these Gurukkals the Saptha Muni emerged from the face of Siva to destroy Daksha's fire sacrifice(yagam).
However, reference in written puranas such as Vayu Purana has provern that the Munis worshipped today as Muniswaran or Muniandi have got nothing to do with Daksha Yagam. They were never mentioned in these Puranas.
Besides mythological origins, some Muni may have their own historical origin.
Forms of Muniandi:
There are many forms of Muni. Here are the list of 7 Munis known as Saptha Muni in one of the ancient temples for Pachaiamman:
Muttaiyar Muni
Chinna Muttaiyar Muni
Raya Muni alias Nondi Muni
Jada Muni
Poo Muni
Sem Muni
Vaal Muni
Kottai Muni is the presiding deity of the annual Jallikattu bullfight in Alangganallur, Tamil Nadu.
Paandi Muni, the guardian of the North Gopuram (Tower) of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple is believed by some to be the chief of the Munis. According to one legend, he was Emperor Neduncheliyan of Pandyan Kingdom.
The other known Munis are Raja Muni, Lada Muni, Karu Muni, Agni Muni, Veera Muni, Rettai Muni, Kaavu Muni and Yellai Muni.
There is also another concept of Nava Muni (9 Muni) instead of 7.
Meaning of Muniandi:
The word Muniandi is a combination of two words, Muni and Andi. The word Andi could be defined in two ways. One referring to slave of God and the other ruling (as in ruler). The second explanation could be derived from the word Aandavar which literally means he who rules. The reason for this explanation is the word Andi being used for other Gods in the Tamil Hindu pantheon.
Please refer to the following examples:
Brahma - Virumandi
Vishnu - Mayandi
Siva - Peyandi
Murugan - Malayandi
As such, the word Muniandi could refer to a slave Muni or he who rules in the form of Muni. Munis like Vaal Muni are also known as Vaal Muni Andavar and Vaal Muniswaran.
Muniandi to Muniswaran:
Eventually Muniandi came to be identified as Muniswaran. The Munis who were worshipped as Muniandi in the past were later given the suffix Iswaran which means Lord or Ruler. This may not necessarily refer to Siva. The King of Lanka in the epic Ramayana, Ravanan, is also known as Lankeswaran. Siva, hailed as the Supreme God of the universe is known as Sarveswaran, Maheswaran, Parameswaran and even Visveswaran.
Forms of Worship
Tree Worship (Maram Vallipadu)
The trees as such as Banyan (Ala Maram), Sacred Fig (Arasa Maram) and Palmyra (Pana Maram) are believed to be the gateways used by the Munis to travel between different dimensions. The Munis are also believed to reside in such trees. Tree Worship is the oldest form of Muni worship.
Stone Worship (Nadukkal Vallipadu)
The Stone Worship was mentioned even during Tamil Sangam ages more than 2,500 years ago. Nadukkal or Veerarkal (for warriors) were planted to commemorate the death of someone important. In the Muni worship, it can be divided to either a single stone or three stones (or bricks), decorated with Saivite sacred ash (vibuthi) marks, sandal paste (santhanam) and saffron paste (kungkumam). A trident (soolam) is planted as a mark of Sivan and Sakthi.
Statue worship (Uruvam Vallipadu)
This is the most contemporary form of worship. Statues are erected and decorated to help the devotee visualise on the Muni. Other insignias such as sickle (aruval), sword and mace will be used depending on the type of Muni.
Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are served as Padayals (food offerings) depending on the type of Muni. For example, in one of the Pachaiamman temple, non-vegetarian dishes are only served for Sem Muni. Paal Muni believed to be of Brahmin origin is only served vegetarian dishes. in banting also have a muniandi alayam.adress is taman periang ,jln durian 6 sunggai manggis.in this alayam the muniandi god is more powerfull god. Some Munis are also offered intoxicants such as acoholic drinks and tobacco products.
Tamil Diaspora:
The deity is also popular amongst certain segments of the Tamil diaspora outside Tamil Nadu. In Malaysia, Muniandi worship was started by Tamil migrants who had the Munis as their Kula Deivam. The family temples which were built in the estates and villages later turned into public temples. Eventually, more people started worshipping these Munis and it became popularised. Most modern day Malaysian or even Singaporean Hindus are not hereditary worshippers of these Munis. However, they have accepted this deity as one of the main deities of worship.
Those three were watching the Jallikattu in Alanganallur from a safe place, don't you think ?
2005-01-16
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Madurai - Palamedu
Sensational synchronic jump in the air at the end of its loop ...
This is the target of the game of the Jallikattu, taming the bull, holding on, as long as possible to the lump of the bull.
Seldom you can get that jump and even more difficult to get 3 on a row from one and the same jump in the air ...
www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=41119009%40N00&sort=da...
→ all about the jallikattu
2006-01-15
Canon EOS 1D Mark II
Please, no logo's in your comment
Madurai - Palamedu - Jallikattu
Taming the bull, to stay on you must follow the the high jumping up of the bull.
The next day,
two young man died in Alanganallur (Madurai) as they were picked up by the horns of the bull. (Top story in newspapers, of course daily traffic deaths are less interesting ...)
Publication BBC News
2005-01-15
PS
Places where jallikattu is to be held this month January 2012
Avaniapuram (Madurai) Jan 15
Palamedu (Madurai) Jan 16
Periyasuriyur (Tiruchy) Jan 16
Alanganallur (Madurai) Jan 17
Siravayal (Sivagangai) Jan 17
Palakurichi (Tiruchy) Jan 17
Kandipatti (Sivagangai) Jan 19
Karungulam (Tiruchy) Jan 29
Article written for the Deccan Chronicle Newspaper 2012-01-14
This saying holds good for all animals.
As long as you face the animal, you are the predator, the moment you turn around to run, you become prey & that's when they start to chase you.
For the bulls and the players at the jallikattu, that is the key to success. As long as they challenge, they have the upper hand.
None of the guys dared to come anywhere near the bull when it decided to turn around and challenge the players.
There are various kinds of bulls at the jallikattu, a few of them just want to get the hell out of the arena and begin to charge the moment they are released from the vadi vasal. A few others challenge players who are on the direct path of the bull alone and rush out of the arena.
Then there are the better ones, that make it a point to challenge every player in the arena before strolling out of the arena in such a calm and collected fashion, their handlers are on cloud nine :)
This guy was of the last category
Just coming in the arena, passing through the gate, the bull was totally trapped by the crowd, so it started to clean out with his horns all these young boys like it ware ennoying flies.
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Jallikattu also known as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu, is a traditional spectacle in which a Bos indicus bull, such as the Pulikulam breed,Kangayam breed is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.
Jallikattu Painting displayed at Chitra Santhe in Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru.
Jallikattu is a traditional spectacle in which a Bos indicus bull, such as the Pulikulam or Kangayam breeds,] is released into a crowd of people, and participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
Jallikattu is an age-old a bull-taming sport played traditionally in parts of Tamil Nadu during the Pongal harvest festival. Very rarely played by women as shown in this painting.
Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Kumbakonam, TN, India.
Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it was built in 12th century by Rajendra Chola of Chola Dynasty. It is known for greatest sculptures of that time that stands testimony to the art of rock sculpting even now.
Anand Govi Photography
Paalamedu
Not only the man but also his crown of roses he tries to shake off ,
the bull's proudness of letting that easily being tamed by the man.
The trained Jallikattu men going for the hump, the horn and
the bull's front leg hooked as an intense hug ....
unwanted intimacy from animal to man.
A lively report by sathiyan, jayanth, karunakaran,anand, oochappan ...
2009-01-15
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Jallikattu is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. Although it sounds similar to the Spanish running of the bulls, it is quite different. In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed or harmed and the 'matadors' are not supposed to use any weapon. Instead its the matadors are the ones who get killed or harmed. Till last year the matadors used to pull the tails of the bulls or they would jump on the bull as a pack of 5 or 10 to tame it. This way the animals were actually harmed. But the Supreme Court of India changed the rules this year to curb animal torture.
In fact now it can be called as "Bull Ride" because as per the new rules, the matador should hold on to the bull from the entry point to an area about hundred feet away. He will be declared winner if he achieves that. No body should touch the tail and not more than 2 people can try to hold on to the bull.
Jallikattu is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. The festivals are held from January to July every year. Madurai and its surrounding villages are very famous for this sport.
A second earlier, the man behind this bull had narrowly escaped the bull's horns with his shirt torn, see
My Portfolio links Instagram | Behance | Facebook
Jallikattu also known as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu, is a traditional spectacle in which a Bos indicus bull, such as the Pulikulam breed,Kangayam breed is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.
My Portfolio links Instagram | Behance | Facebook
Jallikattu also known as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu, is a traditional spectacle in which a Bos indicus bull, such as the Pulikulam breed,Kangayam breed is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.
Looks Best in Large!
Press L to see in Large & Black
Press F to Fave :)
Here is a complete photo series on the ancient sport of Tamilnadu "The Jallikattu". This is the end of this photo series and so iam posting all the shots here. Please feel free to comment and fave the shots you like.
pic taken in Avaniyapuram jallikattu-2017. our Tamilan culture, traditional, 2000 years of our country sport jallikattu.. Orginal name of Jallikattu "Yeruthazuvuthal".
The crowd is shouting encouraging that brave man who is trying to tame the bull by catching him on his shoulder and to hold on as long as possible. The bull is totally disorientated and tries to find the exit as he has to run between the living hedge of ecstatic man hitting his bump and all man and animal adrenaline is rising , everybody is trapped in that exciting feeling to throw himself at this furious animal to challenge all danger.
That's the feeling you catch as a consuming fire to all spectators near or far away, all engaged to that dangerous game, finally you need to shout it out, with all the people all around. Really crazy to watch this most exciting game, all for the honor to win a T-shirt as a jury qualifies the winners.
THE HINDU 2002
" PUDUKOTTAI, FEB. 24. One person was gored to death and 30 others were injured while they attempted to tame the bulls at a `jallikattu' at Tiruvapur village near here today......" ,
... how many people are killed daily on the roads due to the 'jallikattu' of bus- and lorry drivers, was not mentioned ...
I had to take this shot almost blindly, holding up the camera high above my head to avoid too much obstacles.
Publication BBC News
1994-01-16
Pentax 110, scanned
PS
Madurai is preparing for Pongal festival 2012,
photographers are preparing for the Jallikattu,
anti-animal-abuse organisations try to ban it again and again while
this game is the heart and the soul of Dravidian Culture surviving invasions for ages,
taking away the farmer's soul, many risk to have no more food on the table !
Jallikattu also known as eru thazhuvuthal and manju virattu, is a traditional spectacle in which a Bos indicus bull, such as the Pulikulam breed,Kangayam breed is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.
Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.