Mariamman

Mariamman (IPA: [maːrijamman]), often abbreviated to Amman, is a Hindu goddess of weather. Predominantly venerated in the rural areas of South India, Her worship mainly focuses on bringing rains and curing such serious diseases as cholera, smallpox, and chicken pox. She is a form of Mahadevi, and an aspect of Kali or Durga. Mariamman is worshipped in accordance with local traditions such as Pidari, Muthumariamman, Karumariamman, Renuka, Draupadi or the gramadevatai. She is considered as a guardian deity (kaval deivam) by many South Indian village dwellers. 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. She is worshipped in Karnataka as Marikambe, who is a manifestation of Adi-Parashakti or Mahadevi, and in Maharashtra, where she is known as Mari Aai or Laxmi Aai.