 "Tirumurugaruppatai" is a deeply devotional poem included in the ten idylls ("Pattupattu") of the age of the third Sangam.The cult of Skanda disappeared during the 6th century and was predominantly expanded during late 7th century Pallava period - Somaskanda sculptured panels of the Pallava period stand as a testament.Shiva is worshipped in 9 forms namely "Linga", "Lingodbhava", "Chandrashekhara", "Somaskandha", "Bhairava", "Veerabhadra", "Nataraaja", and "Dakshinamoorthy".