Exploring the Evolution of Hinduism in South India Since the BJP Modi-Era

As a proud South Indian and practitioner of Hinduism, it is essential to examine the changes that have occurred within our religious practices and beliefs since the BJP and Modi era. The influence of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) has brought about significant changes in how we practice our faith. However, the people of South India need to understand the differences between northern and southern traditions and embrace their unique spiritual paths.

Self-Reflection and Renovation

The people of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, and Telangana must take responsibility for learning their own southern Saivite, Vaishnavite, and other local worship traditions through their native languages. These customs were established long before Sanskritization and offer a unique identity to Southerners. Understanding the history and evolution of these practices can help us appreciate how much we have lost and how to adapt our customs to better reflect our identity.

Key Questions and Answers

Here are some questions that can help you explore your own religio-cultural history:

Who is Siva and who is Rudra? Are they one and the same? Who are Seiyon Siva and Mayon, Murugan? When did Pillaiyar/Ganesha/Vinayagar worship start in the South? Why is the main deity in Sivan temples a Sivalingam with Yoni-peedam instead of a Smiling Shiva with a leopard skin and Trishul in a Himalayan setting? When did the 'Human form' worship become common? Why do some old Siva temples in Tamil Nadu not have a separate Sakthi temple or Vinayagar statue or Navagraha statues? When were these additions made? Who is Lord Dakshinamurthy? Why is Lord Ganesha offered salutations first before other deities? Who is Krishna and who are ThiruMaal and ‘Maha Vishnu’? When were the Avatars according to Vaishnavism declared? Who is Lankeswaran and why do some Tamils have ‘Ravanan’ as a name? What are the spiritual books of the South Indian people and which version of the Bhagavad Gita is the first and oldest? How old is Sabarimala and when did Vaabar Swami (Islamic Saint) worship become part of the Ayappa worship? Who is Goddess Mariamman and Goddess Parvati? When did Tamil Nadu start having Ganesha temples in every street and where is Ganeshas statue located in any old Sivan temple? When did Ganesh Chaturthi become a 3-day to 7-day festival with processions and visarjans in rivers/oceans? When was Lord Murugan’s physical form worship started? Why is the Spear offered in some ancient Murugan temples? In what language do the temple priests offer prayers and chants in most temples? Who runs the temples and what are the texts, modes of worship associated with that particular temple? Why don’t rural ‘hindu’ deities in South India not have Sanskrit as the language of prayer?

Conclusion

By exploring these questions and engaging with your community, we can rediscover and honor our lost religio-spiritual identity. The politicization and saffronization of Hinduism have brought about significant changes in southern religious practices, but by embracing our unique traditions, we can preserve our heritage for future generations.