Name ▲▼ | Origin ▲▼ | Description ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
God name "Amma (1)" | Dravidian / Tamil | Local tutelary god. Known from southern India.... |
"Anasuya" | Hindu | That is, the charity, was wife of an ancient Indian rishi (sage) named Atri. In the Ramayana, she appears living with her husband in a small hermitage in the southern periphery of the Forest of Chitrakuta. She was very pious, and always practiced austerities and devotion. Hindu |
Goddess name "Ankalamman" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil | Guardian goddess. Known particularly in southern India where she wards off demons. Alternatively she is an aspect of KALI.... |
God name "Annammr i" | Hindu / Puranic | Form of the god V IS'NU. The patron deity of kitchens and food. A shrine at Srirangam in southern India contains two-armed bronze images of the god. Attributes: a ball of rice in one hand, and in the other a container of payasa (sweetened milk and rice).... |
Goddess name "Bala-Sakti" | Dravidian / Tamil / southern India | Goddess. Youthful deity who presides over six CAKRAS or prayer wheels. Often accompanied by a geometric magical diagram or yantra. Attributes: Book, hook, noose and rosary.... |
Goddess name "Bhumidevi (the earth goddess)" | Hindu / Epic / Puranic / southern India | Fertility goddess. The second wife of VIS NU (or KRSNA). Her son is Naraka. Bhumidevi is often depicted standing on the left (occasionally right) hand of the VARAHA avatara of Vis nu. In the north she is known as PUSTI. She is often depicted sitting on a lotus throne with bared breasts. Attributes: blue lotus, lotus, lute, pomegranate, pot with herbs, pot with vegetables and water jar. Also Bhu, Bhudevi, BHUMI, MAHI, PRTHIVI, VASUDHARA and Zami-Mata.... |
God name "Cankilikkaruppan (the black man of the chain)" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil | Local god. Worshiped in southern India.... |
Goddess name "Cenaaianiyammai (lady of the red paddyfield)" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil | Local goddess. Guardian of paddyfields in southern India.... |
Goddess name "Ellaman (lady of the boundary)" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil / southern India | Goddess of påśśage. A goddess guarding boundaries of villages and fields. One of the NAVASAKTI or astral deities. Also Ellaiyamman.... |
God name "Gajavahana" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil | God. A form of SKANDA who has an elephant as a vehicle. Mainly from southern India. Attributes: çõçkerel and spear.... |
God name "Gal Bapsi (hook' god)" | Hindu - Dravidian / Tamil / southern India | Local god. Worshiped particularly by the Bhils. To expiate sins, the penitent thrusts a hook into his back and is suspended from it on the day when the Sun enters Aries.... |
Goddess name "Hanuman (with large jaws)" | Hindu / Epic / Puranic | Monkey god. Hanuman attends RAMA, one of the incarnations of VISINU, and personifies the ideal and faithful servant. He is the son of PAVANA, the god of winds, and is noted for his speed and agility in which context he is often worshiped by young men and athletes. He leads a mythical Forest army of monkeys, and is depicted as a monkey with a long tail. He takes a major role in the Ramayana epic searching for, and rescuing, the goddess SITA who has been captured by the demon Ravana. He may appear trampling on the goddess of Lanka [Sri Lanka]. Worshiped particularly in southern India but more generally in villages. Color: red. Attributes: bow, club, mane, rock and staff. May appear five-headed.... |
Goddess name "Indrani" | Hindu / Vedic / Puranic | Goddess of wrath. Daughter of Puloman, a demonic figure killed by the god INDRA, and the SAKTI and consort of Indra. One of seven MATARAS (mothers) who in later Hinduism became regarded as of evil intent. Also one of a group of eight ASTAMATARAS personifying jealousy (also named Aindri in this capacity). In another grouping one of nine NAVASAKTIS or astral deities who, in southern India, rank higher than the SAPTAMATARAS. Her attendant animal is either an elephant or a lion. Attributes: hook, rosary, Santana flower, staff and waterjar. One thousand-eyed. Also Aindri; Mahendri; Paulomi; Saci; Sujata.... |
Goddess name "Jyrstha" | Hindu / Puranic / earlier | Goddess of misfortune. The elder sister of the goddess LAKSMI, Jyestha personifies poverty and is depicted with a large belly and long nose. In earlier Hinduism she was worshiped particularly in southern India. Also a NAKSATRA of evil influence; daughter of DAKSA and wife of CANDRA (SOMA). Her animal is an åśś. Attributes: arrow, banner with crow, cup, blue lotus, hair-ornament and staff.... |
Goddess name "Kamaksi (of amorous appearance)" | Dravidian / Tamil / southern India / Sri Lanka | Goddess. A SAKTI of SI IVA recognized locally at Kanchipuram, but also in her own right at several places in southern India. Also Kamatchi (Tamil).... |
Goddess name "Kamala (lotus born)" | Hindu / Epic / Puranic | Goddess. Particularly worshiped in southern India. One of a group of MAHAVIDYAS or personifications of the SAKTI of SI IVA, representing MAHARATRI.... |
Goddess name "Karaikkal Ammaiyar" | Hindu / southern India | Local mother goddess. Known from the town of Karikal as a deified ascetic who is depicted with an emaciated form. Attribute: playing cymbals.... |
Goddess name "Karttiki" | Hindu / Epic / Puranic | Mother goddess. One of a group of nine NAVASAKTIS who, in southern India, rank higher than the SAPTAMATARAS.... |