High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Sangam period (ca. 200 BCE to 200 CE) was characterized by the co-existence of three main religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The monarchs of the time practiced religious tolerance and openly encouraged religious discussions and invited teachers of every sect to the public halls to preach their doctrines. During the Sangam age, Hinduism, including Vedic Brahminism, had become a popular religion among the people. Siva, Murugan, Krishna, Balarama and Kali were some of the popular deities among the Hindus. The division of the Sangam landscape into five regions, is also apparent in religion - with each region having had its own patron deity.
