Karumariamman

Karumariamman (Tamil: கருமாரியம்மன், romanized: Karumāriamman), also known as Karumari, is the Hindu goddess of smallpox and health. She is also an aspect of the Hindu goddess Parvati and another form of the goddess Mariamman and Renuka. She is primarily worshipped in the villages of South India such as Thiruverkadu which is believed to be her abode.[2]

Karumariamman
Mother Goddess
Goddess of Smallpox and Health
Image of Karumariamman
Other namesKarumari, Adi Parashakti, Renuka, Krishnamari, Renukambal, Sri Devi Karumariamman
AffiliationShaktism, Parvati, Mariamman Renuka
AbodeThiruverkadu[1]
WeaponTrishula, Khadga, Kapala and Damaru
SymbolsNeem,
DaySunday
MountLion
GenderFemale
Temples
FestivalsNavaratri, Ādi Thiruviḻa, Panguni
ConsortShiva
Equivalents
Other equivalentShitala Renuka Mariamman
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Karumariamman is usually worshipped by Hindus from South India and Hindu's from Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Some Hindus celebrate the festival of Panguni, Ādi Thiruviḻa and Navaratri in her honor, and it is believed that by celebrating this festivals in her honor reduces the risk of health issues and finds cure for health conditions and get relief from smallpox. In the Agama worship, She is worshipped as a combined manifestation of Parashakti, Adishakti, Icchashakti, Jnanashakti and Kriyashakti.

Iconography

Karumariamman is usually pictured as a beautiful young woman with an oval shaped face, wearing a red dress with long jewellery and a big flower garland. And is portrayed having four hands.

Karumariamman is generally portrayed in a sitting position, often holding a knife in her left hand and a bowl of kumkuma in the right. The other two hands hold a trident (trishula) on the right and a damaru on the left.

Legend

According to legend, Karumariamman once disguised herself as a soothsayer and visited the sun-god Surya to predict his future. Surya ignored Karumariamman, refusing to grant her an audience. Angered, the goddess departed. The moment Karumariamman left his abode, Surya started losing his lustre. Soon he was turned into a large coal, causing the earth to plunge into darkness and chaos to reign in the universe. Surya realised his mistake and asked for forgiveness. To pacify Karumariamman, Surya promised that twice a year, he would touch her feet. Karumariamman blessed Surya and he regained his lost lustre. Today, the sun rays fall directly on the feet of Karumariamman at her abode of Thiruverkadu. This event happens in the Tamil calendar months of Panguni (March – April) and Puratasi (September – October).[3]

Temples

India
  • The Karumariamman Temple, Tiruverkadu is the main temple for the goddess Karumariamman. Every Sunday is celebrated as the day of Karumari. Adherents can observe the site of sun rays falling on the head the image of the goddess twice a year. The shrine of goddess Karumariamman is made out of wood.
  • Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, Whitefield, Bengaluru.
  • The Karumariamman temple, Ragavendra

Malaysia

See also

Notes
  1. Arulmigu Devi Karumri Amman Temple, Thiruverkadu
  2. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
  3. "Story Of Devi Karumariamman And Surya". www.hindu-blog.com. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2023.

References
  • W.T. Elmore, Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism.

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