Mariamman | |
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Goddess of Weather and Fertility[1] | |
![]() The goddess Mariamman | |
Other names | Mariamma, Mariamman, Mariatha, Mari, Amma |
Venerated in | South India |
Affiliation | Devi, Shakti, Mahadevi, Durga, Kali, Parvati, Shitala, Shaktism, Draupadi |
Abode | Earth |
Weapon | Trident, Sword |
Adherents | Primarily rural[2] Tamil Hindus, South Indian Hindus |
Mount | Lion |
Temples | Samayapuram Mariamman, Punnainallur Mariamman, Tiruverkadu Devi Karumariamman Temple, Dindigul Kottai Mariamman |
Festivals | Navaratri, Ādi Thiruviḻa |
Mariamman, often abbreviated to Amman, is a Hindu goddess of weather, predominantly venerated in the rural areas of South India.[3][4] Her festivals are held during the late summer/early autumn season of Ādi throughout Tamil Nadu and the Deccan region, the largest being the Ādi Thiruviḻa. Her worship mainly focuses on bringing rains and curing diseases like cholera, smallpox, and chicken pox. Mariamman is worshipped in accordance with local traditions such as Pidari or the Gramadevatai. She is considered as a guardian deity (kaval deivam) by many South Indian village-dwellers.