Who worship Maleeswari

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.

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Who worships Maleeswari?

• 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.

• Other Hill and Forest Tribes:
  Many tribal groups in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris who are forest dwellers honor Maleeswari as their guardian deity.

• Rural Agricultural Communities:
  In some rural non-tribal communities, especially in Tamil Nadu, Maleeswari is worshipped as a goddess of prosperity and rain.

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Significance of Maleeswari

• Seen as a protective mother figure who safeguards the community and nature.
• Associated with fertility, health, and the bounty of the land.
• Temples dedicated to Maleeswari are often located on hills or near forests.
• Worship includes traditional folk rituals, sometimes involving trance, dance, and offerings of flowers, rice, and animal sacrifices in tribal areas.

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Summary Table

Community	Relationship to Maleeswari	Role of Goddess
Betta & Jenu Kurumba	Tribal mother goddess, hill deity	Protector, fertility goddess
Other forest tribes	Guardian of forests and hills	Nature and fertility goddess
Rural Tamil farmers	Local form of Mariamman/Durga	Goddess of prosperity and rain

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