Topic started by Mani (@ cache-mtc-af05.proxy.aol.com) on Thu Jul 24 18:37:21 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

In south India, there exists a common ground with Amman worship. The style of festivals in Andhra that are dedicated to Mahankali are similar to that of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Garagalu in Andhra is Karagattam in TN, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Veppalai and narangya (lime) are symbolized for Amman in TN, Andhra, and Kerala. In Kerala, the male oracle called the "vellichapad" is seen as a wild-haired individual carrying a sickle or aruvaal, and seen with red clothing, lime necklace, and veppalai as attire. In Andhra, similar types of individuals who share the same roles except carrying a chaattai (whip) are called potharajus. Are there individuals who play the same type of role in TN, what are they called? What are the similarities and differences with Amman worship in South India?
Why is Amman worship so strong in South India?

Responses:

• From: Devan Murugan (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Fri Sep 26 02:12:30
  
  Indeed a very interesting question. Something I have thought about for years as a South African Tamil. Essentially, no other culture on earth has more reverance ( historically ) of the mother figure than Tamils and other South Indians. Even the word "Sakthi", which arguably means the original energy force behind everything, is seen by us South Indians as being female. When a Tamil swears to tell the truth, he/she will swear on his/her mother first before god. I think the worship of Amman is born out of this human realisation that god can never be proven - rather the mother is essentially the first god becaause of her divine role.
  
  
• From: Devan Murugan (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Fri Sep 26 02:15:39 EDT 2003
  
  Amman.
  
  It is therefore very sad that some Dravidians were sucked into a life-style of women subordination introduced by the Aryans. It's ironic, since at the core of their worship is the female figure.
  
  
• From: karthi (@ wc09.ym.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com) on: Fri Sep 26 02:32:45 EDT 2003
  
  Till 1976, in Kerala Maru Makka Thayam was in force and males had no property rights there. Females were the dominant people in Kerala all the time even they follow Hindu religion.
  
  So, your theory of aryan is wrong. Further Kannaki was venerated as female godess my Keralites and not by Tamils. Sinhalese too respected Kannaki as Pathini Deviyo.
  
  Remember Sinhalese produced the first prime minister of the world.
  
  
• From: karthi (@ wc09.ym.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com) on: Fri Sep 26 02:34:00 EDT 2003
  
  Remember Sinhalese produced the first FEMALE prime minister of the world.
  
  
• From: k.vijay (@ 12.144.36.2) on: Fri Sep 26 12:35:54 EDT 2003
  
  Kannaki is viewd as a deity in Kerala because she took abode in Kerala( which was once again a part of Ancient Tamilaham) But in Tamils views she is just a heroine of an epic.
  
  
• From: karthi (@ wc09.ym.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com) on: Sat Sep 27 08:33:59 EDT 2003
  
  Present day Tamils' values are little lower than the Malayalees.
  
  Further Kannaki ran away from Tamil atrocities I believe.
  
  
• From: Š¸ó¾§Åø ¿¼Ã¡ƒ¡(Skanthavelu Nadarajah) (@ edtntnt11-port-45.dial.telus.net) on: Sat Sep 27 09:11:36 EDT 2003
  
  This is such an interesting topic! :)
  
  A devotee of Amman
  
  
• From: ? (@ 61.1.200.226) on: Sun Sep 28 11:48:58 EDT 2003
  
  Karthi's mother ran away with Muslim from Pune.
  
  
• From: karthi (@ wc09.ym.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com) on: Sun Sep 28 14:34:17 EDT 2003
  
  hhahaha
  How many fathers you have?
  In this forum you came with different names. That is a good evidence for your quesries about fathers of others.
  
  I hope each man fuked you mother named you with different name.
  
  So, come with one name if you really have one father.
  
  
• From: parayan (@ 161.34.171.66.subscriber.vzavenue.net) on: Mon Sep 29 22:31:32 EDT 2003
  
  Is sakthi karagam the main form of offering for Amman in TN?
  
  
• From: Raman (@ 61.11.76.251) on: Tue Oct 7 10:00:54 EDT 2003
  
  Amman Cult was started by Adi Sankra during 11-12 century. Before that there was no mention about Amman being the main deity of workship in any epics, including nayanmar's.
  In Tamil Nadu Amman refers mainly to two goddess Throwbathy and the other Mariamman. Looking closer to the patter of teh festival/temple it is evident that Throwbathy cult was a sub-sect of vaishnavism and Mariamman cult originated from Shivism. None of teh Amman Temples in Tamil Nadu are older than Later Chola's temples like Tanjur or KKSM, or Tarasuram, whicjh are considered the latest temples since they are built after Nayanmar's period.
  
  
• From: Raman (@ 61.11.76.251) on: Tue Oct 7 10:01:16 EDT 2003
  
  Amman Cult was started by Adi Sankra during 11-12 century. Before that there was no mention about Amman being the main deity of workship in any epics, including nayanmar's.
  In Tamil Nadu Amman refers mainly to two goddess Throwbathy and the other Mariamman. Looking closer to the pattern
  
  of the festival/temple it is evident that Throwbathy cult was a sub-sect of vaishnavism and Mariamman cult originated from Shivism. None of teh Amman Temples in Tamil Nadu are older than Later Chola's temples like Tanjur or KKSM, or Tarasuram, whicjh are considered the latest temples since they are built after Nayanmar's period.
  
  
• From: Keshava Nair (@ ge1-0.cc2.jnb6.alter.net) on: Sun Sep 26 05:59:23
  
  Amman, my Ishta Devi is a manifestation of Adi Para Shakthi.The names of the godess very in every town and district. No matter wich you worship or how you worship in the end you are worshiping the same goddess. Om Shakthi!
  
  
• From: Enquirer (@ dbnproxy1.ukzn.ac.za) on: Tue Sep 28 04:17:52 EDT 2004
  
  I am a South African. My grandparents' surnames are Naicker and Naidu
  
  During the Month of Adi, when we worship Mariamman, we also pray to Paalmani and Jaramuni (Chada- or Charramuni). Paalmani is worshipped in the form of a mango tree, so I suppose he is a manifestation of Lord Shiva, right?
  
  Jaramuni is decribed as being a house God and is very strict! Not eveyone prays to him - in fact, the only other people who do pray to him are my cousins (my mother's sister's husband's family) whose surname is Gramani. My mother's family (Naidu's) only started worshipping him recently, whislt my father's family(a mix of Naidoo's and Naicker's) have been worshipping him for many years.
  
  I would like to know more about these two Gods (who are they, why do we pray to them, etc.)and if they point to a specfic area my ancestors may have come from.
  
  Nandri.
  
  

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