Kathavarayan (deity)

Kathavarayan is a Tamil folk deity venerated in South India and Sri Lanka. His worship is prevalent amongst rural Tamil people, as his worship mostly happens in rural Tamil Nadu. His name is a combination of two names: kathavar and ayan. He is believed to have been a real person as Tamil folk deities are those who performed superhuman deeds to protect their community or villages.

Iconography

Lord Kathavarayan is widely recognized by having a distinct mustache and fearsome appearance. Kathavarayan is commonly depicted wielding weapons of the Tamil warriors of ancient South India: an Aruval, a Khanda, a Sword, a Gada or Shield. He is often illustrated as standing or seated with his two wives, Ariyamala and Otanyi, as well as one male attendant by the name of Chinnan.

Beyond the Indian subcontinent and Hinduism

He is highly revered in Hinduism in Thailand due to the popularity of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Bangkok Thai people like to come and pay respect here because it has a tamil folk culture identity that blends well with and connects with folk Thai culture such as Arul Vaaku tradition., with his idol being enshrined in the temple's annual procession, an important of Vijayadashami traditional event of Hinduism in Thailand.