Continuity and Change: Skanda-Murukan Cult in Batticaloa, Eastern Sri Lanka

Batticaloa is a region, wherein various ethnic groups, including the Veddas, have been living together for many years. This region is popular for Kannakai, Mother-Goddess worship and also for Skanda-Murukan worship. Skanda-Murukan is known as Kandasami, Kumaratthan, Kumarathambiran and lately Kumarakadavul in this region. The cult practices of this region vary from ancient patterns to modern types. This study analyzes these Skanda-Murukan traditions from the socio-anthropological perspective.

The data obtained from fieldwork in ancient centres of worship, new temples and the modern cultic groups are the primary sources of this study. The traditional temples of Mandur, Tirukkovil, Ukanthai, Sitthandi have been selected together with a few recent temples for in-depth study. Also systematic observations have been made of newly emerged cultic groups of Muruka headed by a new siddhar "Theertha Sami".

The data collected from ancient temples reflects the link between the tribal Veddas and the Skanda-Murukan cult. The rituals are unique in character. The myth relating to Murukan's love for Valli and the temple importance for Valli are predominant features in this region.

The new temples incorporate agamic patterns of ritual as well as non-agamic bhakti religious features. Modern cultic groups of Muruka Kandavel headed by Theetha Sami exhibit novel practices very much new to traditional Hindu religion. These include group praying, the specific time for praying, prescribed mode of praying and rejection of idol worship, etc.

An analysis of this new data reiterates the proto-megalithic origin of the cult of Skanda- Murukan. The importance given to Valli in this region reflects the Dravidian involvement in Skanda-Murukan cult too.

The influence of Kannakai Amman temple rituals are evident in the new Skanda temples.

The novel practices of new cultic groups reflect Islamic religious patterns.

It is further observed that the urban areas are more accommodating toward the novel practices. But in villages new cultic groups face stiff opposition. It is interesting to note that the ancient centres of worship like Ukanthai Malai have paved the way for the juxtaposition of ancient and modern modes of ritual and worship. Here the isolated forest environment is conducive to this new blend of traditions, thereby making these cultic centres a unique cultural system.