by Privendren Reddy
Mari which means rain is a very popular Goddess of Tamil Nadu. While
scholars believe that she is a goddess of the pre Aryan days, most of
the common people believe her as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva or
Durga who arose from her to kill the asuras. Some people believe her to
be Renuka, the mother of Lord Parasurama. Normally the priests in her
temples do not belong to the Brahmin Community. The common people pray
to her for bringing rain and avoiding epidemics. In her temple
festivals, it is common to see people walk bare footed on glowing
embers. This prayer is an extremely popular prayer sung in her temples.However popular this festival may be, it is rather disheartening to
note that many do not know the origin and significance of this
particular deity and festival. The concept of mother worship has existed
since time immemorial.Shakthi, as Divine Mother, is portrayed as
cosmic energy in its dynamic form. Being the mother of the universe. She
is ever ready to heed the call of Her devotees. As such an instance did
this force manifest as Muthu Mari Ammen, Muthu (pearl); Mari (rain);
Ammen (Mother), thus being titled as the Mother of Rain, that which is
more precious than pearls.In time of great drought, a time when
people were plagued with measles, mumps, etc. did these people seek the
help of the Divine Mother. This Mother, ever willing to help Her
children manifested in the form of a woman garbed in yellow and carrying
a pot of fermented meal and some syringa leaves, descended on the state
of Samayapuram and in the district of Thiruvekardu.
Here she
fed the ill with the porridge and nursed them with a mixture syringa
leaves and tumeric paste. She continued healing the sick and when her
work was done She retired to the forest. The people whom She had cured
sought Her and wanted to know the identity of this mysterious Atah
(aunt). They found Her seated under a syringa tree. They asked Her to
reveal Her identity and wanted to know how She could be thanked for
saving the lives of so many.She disclosed Herself as the Mother of
the universe and asked only that every year in the time that she
appeared, her devotees gather in great numbers, worship Her and
distribute holy porridge etc. to everybody, and promised to be their
guiding and protecting force.She then disappeared leaving torrents
of rain to bathe the earth and aid growth of flora. She then became
known as Samayapuram Mariatha and Her scripture being the Mariammen
Thalatu. It is, therefore, in this great month of Aadi (July – August)
that the Mother Mariammen is venerated as the protector and curer of all
miseries. The Gargum symbolising her crown is carried honouring Her as
the Queen of the Universe.During this period the sanctified food
tastes especially delicious and there is intense unity among all, and
the regular showers of the rain remind us of Her everlasting presence.
by Privendren Reddy
Mari which means rain is a very popular Goddess of Tamil Nadu. While
scholars believe that she is a goddess of the pre Aryan days, most of
the common people believe her as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva or
Durga who arose from her to kill the asuras. Some people believe her to
be Renuka, the mother of Lord Parasurama. Normally the priests in her
temples do not belong to the Brahmin Community. The common people pray
to her for bringing rain and avoiding epidemics. In her temple
festivals, it is common to see people walk bare footed on glowing
embers. This prayer is an extremely popular prayer sung in her temples.
However popular this festival may be, it is rather disheartening to
note that many do not know the origin and significance of this
particular deity and festival. The concept of mother worship has existed
since time immemorial.
Shakthi, as Divine Mother, is portrayed as
cosmic energy in its dynamic form. Being the mother of the universe. She
is ever ready to heed the call of Her devotees. As such an instance did
this force manifest as Muthu Mari Ammen, Muthu (pearl); Mari (rain);
Ammen (Mother), thus being titled as the Mother of Rain, that which is
more precious than pearls.
In time of great drought, a time when
people were plagued with measles, mumps, etc. did these people seek the
help of the Divine Mother. This Mother, ever willing to help Her
children manifested in the form of a woman garbed in yellow and carrying
a pot of fermented meal and some syringa leaves, descended on the state
of Samayapuram and in the district of Thiruvekardu.
Here she
fed the ill with the porridge and nursed them with a mixture syringa
leaves and tumeric paste. She continued healing the sick and when her
work was done She retired to the forest. The people whom She had cured
sought Her and wanted to know the identity of this mysterious Atah
(aunt). They found Her seated under a syringa tree. They asked Her to
reveal Her identity and wanted to know how She could be thanked for
saving the lives of so many.
She disclosed Herself as the Mother of
the universe and asked only that every year in the time that she
appeared, her devotees gather in great numbers, worship Her and
distribute holy porridge etc. to everybody, and promised to be their
guiding and protecting force.
She then disappeared leaving torrents
of rain to bathe the earth and aid growth of flora. She then became
known as Samayapuram Mariatha and Her scripture being the Mariammen
Thalatu. It is, therefore, in this great month of Aadi (July – August)
that the Mother Mariammen is venerated as the protector and curer of all
miseries. The Gargum symbolising her crown is carried honouring Her as
the Queen of the Universe.
During this period the sanctified food
tastes especially delicious and there is intense unity among all, and
the regular showers of the rain remind us of Her everlasting presence.
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