Sangili Boothathar - The Guardian Deity - My Kuladeivam


The story of the origin of Sangili Boothathar is associated with Samudra Manthan (the Churning of the Ocean). To get the nectar of immortality (Amrit) from the Sea, Devas and Asuras started churning the Ocean. This happened when the whole Continents were one and the seas too were one. At that time, there was no Arabian Sea, Red Sea, etc. All seas were one. So were the Continents.

The Churning of the Ocean went on for many years. Mount Mandara was used as the Churning Rod and serpent Vasuki coiled around Mount Mandara served as the rope used by both Devas and Asuras to be churn the ocean by pulling it back and forth causing the mountain to rotate.

When the Churning of the ocean was going on, lots of things emerged. These were divided between Devas led by Lord Vishnu and Asuras. When poison emerged from the ocean it was swallowed by Lord Shiva. Goddess Lashmi emerged from the ocean and married Lord Vishnu. Wish granting cow Kamadhenu was taken by Lord Vishnu and seven headed horse was taken by Asuras. 

 Amongst them to emerge is Sangili Boothathar. He emerged from the sea during Sagar Manthan. He emerged wearing heavy metal chain tied in a ‘X’ shape from both shoulders to stomach. His sudden emergence with his big eyes, thick mustache, and heavy metal chain in his hand made all those who have gather over there run for shelter. He was very aggressiveness. Lord Shiva calmed him. He adopted Sangili Boothathar as his son.

Lord Shiva gave Sangili Boothathar the assignment of guarding Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Siva. One fine day Lord Shiva left for Earth. Many days passed he did not returned. Goddess Parvati asked Sangili Boothathar to go and look for his father, Lord Shiva. Sangili Boothathar was hesitant to go. Lord Siva has asked him to guard Mount Kailash. How can he break his orders? He decided to wait for some more days.

Days become month, months become year, year become years, Lord Shiva did not returned. Goddess Parvati could not bear it any more. She admonished him, saying he does not love his dad. Sangili Boothathar too could not bear it anymore. He left Mount Kailash in search of Lord Shiva. When he neared Pothigai Malai (Pothigai Hill) he saw Lord Shiva walking back to Mount Kailash. Now, Sangili Boothathar was in a dilemma.  He has not obeyed him. He though Lord Shiva will feel bad and will punish him. He saw a snake’s skin lying in the bush. He transformed himself into a snake and tried to fit himself in the skin. Lord Shiva, through his divine eyes could see all these.

He called Sangili Boothathar and told him he knows everything that has transpired between him and Goddess Parvati. He is very happy with the way he guarded Mount Kailash. And from now, he wants him to look after Pothigai Malai and the peoples as he has taken care of Mount Kailash and its inhabitants.

From then on Sangili Boothathar is guarding Pothigai Malai and the inhabitants. 

Pothigai Malai is also known as Shiva Jothi Parvath, Agasthiyar Mountain, Southern Kailash.

@gomadityavalluvan


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