தமிழ்த் தல வருணனைகளில் மலைகளின் இலக்கிய மற்றும் ஆன்மீகப் பரிமாணங்கள்: ஒரு விரிவான ஆய்வு

Literary and Spiritual Dimensions of Mountains in Tamil Temple Descriptions (Sthala Varnanai): A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

The relationship between nature and humanity in Tamil society is not merely geographical; it is profoundly intertwined with spiritual and literary values. When Sangam literature categorized the land into five distinct landscapes (Tinai), it placed paramount importance on 'Kurinji'—the mountainous and hilly regions. These mountains, which served as vibrant arenas for love (Akam) and valor (Puram), transformed over time with the rise of devotional literature into divine abodes and sacred sites (Sthala Varnanai) fragrant with grace. This article comprehensively examines how the Kurinji Tinai traditions found in Sangam literature evolved into Sthala Varnanai (temple descriptions) within the Tevaram hymns. Specifically, it analyzes, based on data gathered from various sources, the natural beauty, the lifestyle of the flora and fauna, and the spiritual significance of mountains such as Annamalai, Eengoymalai, Kailayam, Kalahasti, Kutrallam, Kedaram, Kodungundram, Mudugundram, and Parangundram. This article establishes how the thematic elements of the Sangam Tinai were linked to divine grace in devotional literature, and demonstrates how these sites function as timeless 'Time Capsules.