This is absolutely wrong and all I can say is that this is just a perception. Tamilnadu has evolved having both Saivism (Worshipper of Shiva) and Vaishnavism (Worshipper of Vishnu) as its eyes. One cannot be complete without the other!
Tamil literature had grown along with the religion since ages. 63 Saivite Nayanmars have sung in praise of Shiva and 12 Alwars have sung in praise of Vishnu there by making Tamil a classical language!
Temples where 63 Nayanmars sung in praise are 276 (paadal petra sthalangal) and temples where 12 Alwars sung in praise are 108 divya desams (abode of Vishnu). It is very clear that Tamilnadu has equal number of Siva and Vishnu temples.
To be precise, Srirangam, first of 108 divya deasams is one of the largest temple complex in South Asia covering an area of 156 acres (631,000 m²) with a perimeter of 4,116m (10,710 feet). Rajagopuram of Srirangam is second highest measuring 72m (237 feet) and higher than the Thanjavur Brihadeeswara temple which measures just 60m (198 feet)!
Next is Tirumalai, remember Tamilnadu extended from Tirumala in North to Kanyakumari in South (thirumalai muthal thenkumari varai). Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkatachalapathy, is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth. The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world .
Next in line is Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Krishna, which is called as Dakshina Dwaraka inline with Guruvayoor. The presiding deity is magnificent of 56 feet high. This temple was the dynastic and primary shrine of Thanjavur Nayaks. Compound walls of this temple are said to have no parallel (mannargudi mathil azhagu)
Next in line is Madurai Azhagar koil which is dedicated to Kallazhagar, brother of Madurai Meenakshi amman. The world renowned Chithirai thiruvizha attracts crowd from all parts of India which lasts for one month Chithirai (April-May).
Next is Srivilliputur Andal temple, this is believed to be the birth place of Andal, only female among the 12 alwars. Andal fallen in love with Ranganathar considering him as Krishna and herself as gopika. Legend says that she wore the garland before offering to Ranganathar ensuring that the garland looks good for her love. (Soodi kodutha sudarkodi). Rajagopuram of this temple is the official emblem of Tamilnadu government which is originally believed to have been built by Periazhwar with the prize money he obtained from religious debates in the court of Vallaba Pandya.
Next magnificent temple dedicated to Vishnu is Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple. Among the 108 Divya Desams, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple is known as the ‘Perumal Koil’. Varadarajar is considered to the big brother of Venkatachalapathy of Triumala. One of the most famous architectural pieces in the temple is the huge stone chain sculpted in a single stone. Apart from the main stone idol, the temple has the wooden image of Varadarajaswamy preserved within a silver box kept in temple tank from which water is pumped out every 40 years. Golden lizard in this temple is also believed to wash out the sins caused by lizard falling on humans.
Though Saivism and Vaishnavism has shown hatred towards each other both has evolved hand in hand in Tamilnadu. One cannot conclude that Tamilnadu is place for Shiva than Vishnu because Tamils believe that Shivanum hariyum onnu ariyathavar vai la mannu which means Shiva and Vishnu are one and let sand be in his mouth if he doesn’t know about this simple relation!
Lord Shiva in his character represents the mindset of a Tamilian. A true tamilian once gives a word does not go back on his word. He will fulfill his promise. Lord Shiva stood firm when Bhashmasur tested Lord Shiva’s boon. It was purely a “Shiv Leela” wherein he wanted to show the world what would happen if one gives such a boon. After Lord Vishnu finished Bhashmasur Adhishakti Parvati asked to Lord Vishnu “Oh Beloved brother what does this show’.? Lord Vishnu said “Hey Tri Bhuvana Nayaki(Goddess of three worlds) this is nothing but a “Shiv Leela”, He further said your husband only knows the reason for his action”. Lord Shiva gave a gentle smile. Sadashiva said “ Shree Hari i will always be safe in your hands”. Lord Vishnu prays to Shiv Shankar. In turn shiva prays to vishnu. Both are two sides of one coin. One who realises the true self the question of supremacy does not arise. The greatness of one person always makes them to accept other persons’ greatness. In this way both are same.
Jai HariHara.
Some might call this a vague comparison, but somehow I find it very interesting...
Assume Lord Brahma as Legislature, Lord Vishnu as Executive and Lord Shiva as the Judiciary..
We know that people have fear of the Judiciary more than that of the Legislature and the Executive..
This is simply because one may not have to face any direct consequences by the actions of the Legislature and the Executive, but if a Court asks you to do something, you ought to follow that..
Lord Shiva is the destroyer.. People fear him.. And that's why they follow him...
Having said that, it is also equally true that people repose their faith and trust in him (like in the Judiciary), so that they will always be protected by the evils of the society and the perpetrators of crime will be put to sword..
Assume Lord Brahma as Legislature, Lord Vishnu as Executive and Lord Shiva as the Judiciary..
We know that people have fear of the Judiciary more than that of the Legislature and the Executive..
This is simply because one may not have to face any direct consequences by the actions of the Legislature and the Executive, but if a Court asks you to do something, you ought to follow that..
Lord Shiva is the destroyer.. People fear him.. And that's why they follow him...
Having said that, it is also equally true that people repose their faith and trust in him (like in the Judiciary), so that they will always be protected by the evils of the society and the perpetrators of crime will be put to sword..
Anonymous
Answered Oct 25, 2016
I think this not true.isn’t tamil nadu home to padmanabhaswami temple,the richest temple of any religion,on this entire planet? There are many famous vishnu temples in south india.that being said,south india has traditionally been of shaivite culture while north india has been more vaishnava although both are immensely popular in india.if this were to be true,i think tamil history of shaivite kings played a role in.this.
Hello, my name is MSS Rehman. I'm a 25 year old self-employed Dhaka from the Bangladesh.
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