Maleeswari (also spelled Malleeswari or Malaiyammai) is a popular goddess worshipped mainly among several tribal communities and rural groups in Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions.
Who worships Maleeswari?
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Kurumba tribes (especially Betta Kurumba and Jenu Kurumba):
Maleeswari is revered as a mother goddess associated with hills, forests, fertility, and protection. She is often considered a form of Durga or Mariamman.
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Other Hill and Forest Tribes:
Many tribal groups in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris who are forest dwellers honor Maleeswari as their guardian deity.
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Rural Agricultural Communities:
In some rural non-tribal communities, especially in Tamil Nadu, Maleeswari is worshipped as a goddess of prosperity and rain.
Significance of Maleeswari
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Seen as a protective mother figure who safeguards the community and nature.
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Associated with fertility, health, and the bounty of the land.
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Temples dedicated to Maleeswari are often located on hills or near forests.
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Worship includes traditional folk rituals, sometimes involving trance, dance, and offerings of flowers, rice, and animal sacrifices in tribal areas.
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Community
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Relationship to Maleeswari
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Role of Goddess
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Betta & Jenu Kurumba
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Tribal mother goddess, hill deity
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Protector, fertility goddess
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Other forest tribes
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Guardian of forests and hills
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Nature and fertility goddess
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Rural Tamil farmers
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Local form of Mariamman/Durga
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Goddess of prosperity and rain
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