Karuppuswamy

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Karuppuswamy
Patroller of Boundaries[1]
Idol of Karuppannaswamy
Other names	Karuppu Karuppan Karuppaswamy Karuppannaswamy maayandi karuppa Ayya
Affiliation	Dravidian folk religion
Abode	Karimalei
Weapon	Aruval, Spear, Gada, Sword
Day	Friday|Saturday
Mount	Horse

Karuppusamy, also known as Karuppu or Karuppannaswamy(Tamil: கருப்பண்ணசுவாமி Malayalam: കറുപ്പണ്ണസാമി ),(lit. 'Black God' or 'Black') is a Hindu god in Tamil Nadu, popular among the social groups of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and also Sri Lanka. He is one of 21 guardian deities of Ayyanar, and is one of 21 guardian deities in Dravidian folk religion.^[2]

Karuppu Samy temples are found in outside of villages. Whole villages contribute to maintenance of temples. These temples do not have gopurams and have large statues of deities with large eyes, holding weapons like bows and arrows, swords, sickles and other weapons. There are statues of eight Matrikas and a hound, a lion and a horse with a main statue of Karuppu Samy.

Karuppu Samy worship is based on an ancient ancestral clan-based worship system in Hinduism. Here, most officiating priests are non - Brahmanas, and derive from local lineages that had initiated the cult generations ago. The worship pattern is non-Vedic or non-Agamic through folk tales, songs and arts of Villu Paattu, Karakattam, Koothu, etc. The local priests offer flowers and vibhuti (holy ash) to worshippers and plays a role of a oracle. Various people within the clan system are identified to play to the role of oracle on an annual turn basis. They undertake a vrata and maintain chastity and purity during the period. During the festivals, oracles get into Trance state of Sami Adudhal and deliver counselling messages to the group assembled there without bias. In some temples before the oracles deliver counselling messages, oracles stand on top of a aruval (Specifically Forms of Periyakaruppu,Muthukaruppu and Muppiliyaan). The normal problems addressed are family problems, financial troubles and local community and social issues for resolving within the community group with the agreement of local ancestral god through oracle. Whenever the wishes of the people are granted, they give their offerings to him based on what they vowed to offer.^[3]

Karuppu Samy is worshipped in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Guadeloupe, Singapore, Malaysia and Martinique as Sangili Karuppan, Sangani Baba.

The village committee would decide on when the annual festival be conducted. The time of the year when this would fall varies with villages and their local customs. Generally, the mass convention assembly of a large number of related family members is organized during spring for 2 days. The beginning of this festival will be with hoisting of a flag and tying a Kaappu. After this time, villagers cannot go out of the village but come in from a different village and after a festival ends, people can go out of the village and go to a different village.

Trance is an important phenomenon that occurs in Karuppu Swami worship. This phenomenon essentially enables the deity to possess the body of a human, who then goes on to display physical traits of the deity. This is usually done at major festivals or prayers, and is considered to be a clear sign of the physical presence or blessing of the deity. Some practitioners willingly invoke the deity into their bodies, while for others it happens without their control. Trance is also used as a platform for devotees to communicate with the deity and vice versa, to provide solutions and advises for a multitude of topics.

According to traditional folk opinion,

In Caribbean Shaktism in Guyana,^[4] He is Sangani Baba. In the Indo-Caribbean community of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, Sangani Baba is worshipped as a powerful deity.

Sangani Baba is often associated with the color black, which symbolizes his fierce and protective nature. He is considered a guardian deity, offering his devotees protection, prosperity, and guidance. His worship in Indo-Caribbean Shaktism has elements of Hinduism that have been passed down through generations.^[5]

Devotees offer various items to Sangani Baba as part of their worship. These offerings can include Vedic items such as camphor, butter, cloves, and ghrita. However, non-Vedic offerings such as cigarettes and alcohol are also made to him in these regions, reflecting the Tamil nature of the worship.^[6]

Sacrifices of black chickens and black goats are made as part of rituals dedicated to Sangani Baba, showing the offering of life and the seeking of his blessings and favor. These practices reflect the deep connection and devotion of the Indo-Caribbean community Sangani Baba.^[7]

In Indo-Caribbean Shaktism, Sangani Baba is revered as a deity who can provide counsel and guidance. During festivals and special occasions, individuals chosen as oracles enter into a trance-like state, known as Svami Adudhal. In this state, they channel the messages and advice Sangani Baba to the assembled devotees, addressing their personal and community concerns and solving them.^[8]

• Ayyanar
• Ayyappan
• Isakki
• Kali
• Karumariamman
• Mariamman
• Madurai Veeran
• Muneeswarar
• Sudalai Madan