Tamil kadavul (God) Murugan. Lord Muruga is synonymous with Tamil people. As per Tamil Kanda Puranam, in his life story Murugan marries the tribal princess Valli. This union is known as the Valli Thirumanam. The marriage symbolizes Bhakti (unwavering devotion), demonstrating that God can be reached through pure love and devotion.
The annual festival Thaipusam at the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Tamil Nadu is attended by millions of devotees. Murugan is almost always depicted with a warm, smiling, child-like face and this makes him exceptionally popular with children. Many people (including me) grow up liking Murugan and remain devoted to Him throughout their life.
Saint Avvaiyar sang His praises. Murugan appeared as a shepherd boy sitting on a branch of a Jamun tree. He asked Avvaiyar, “Do you want fruit that is hot (Sutta Pazham) or not hot (Sudaatha Pazham)?” Avvaiyar asked for “not hot fruit”, how can fruits be hot. The boy shook the tree and fruits fell into the sand. Avvaiyar picked up the fruits and started blowing on them to remove the sand. Smiling, the boy asked Avvaiyar “Are the fruits so hot that you need to blow on them to cool them down?". Humbled by this, Avvaiyar realized the boy was the divine Murugan.
Arunagirinathar enshrined Murugan with his devotional Thiruppugazh songs.They are mainly temple specific hymns. Below is my favourite Thiruppugazh in Tamil with the English translation below the Tamil verses. I learnt to sing this song when I was 5 years old. The song describes the beauty and purpose of the six faces of Lord Murugan.