INTRODUCTION :
Parvati Devi also known as Amman, and also fondly called by the name “AMMA”, is the Hindu goddess and who contains superior divine strength and power. She is the gentle Hindu goddess, and is one of the most important deities of Hinduism. She is the mother goddess in Hinduism, and has many popular aspects. Along with Lakshmi and Saraswathi, she forms the trinity of Hindu goddesses (Tridevi). Parvati is the wife of the Hindu god Shiva, the sister of God Vishnu and the mother of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga.
WORSHIP
Amman is also worshipped in some places as the "Grama Devata” and puja will be done to her by non-Brahmin priests, or in the case of large temples such as the Samayapuram Maariamman temple, by Brahmin priests also. She is usually taken in procession in a decorated chariot.
Mariamman is a Tamil goddess, whose worship was prevalent from ancient period. She is the main tamil mother goddess, and is popular mainly in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu. In north india, she is worshipped as Shitaladevi and in east india, she is worshipped as Manasa Devi. Generally, large number of Amman temples are scattered all over india, and also in some foreign countries. Angala parameswari Amman is very famous in the villages of tamil nadu, and also is the kula deivam for most of the devotees of tamil nadu. One most popular Angala Parameswari temple is situated at Erode, and this amman is my “KULA DEIVAM” and is very famous for curing the devotees diseases, and giving good results in their life, and also in giving “SALVATION” to her sincere devotees.
In some Amman temples, the worshiping methods are non-vedic, and offerings such as pongal and koozh are also made during the festive season. Rituals such as fire walking(Thee Midhi Thiruvizha) and mouth or nose piercing are also practised.
Aadi is a special month for Amman and she becomes very powerful at this time of the year, and cures all the diseases, and brings great prospects in the life of her devotees. She is mainly known for healing chicken pox and small pox.
Goddess Parvathi Devi, called by various names such as Sathi, Amman, Durga, Bhavani, Bhairavi,Chamundi,Tiripurasundari,Kamakshi,Kamalakshi,Kameswari, Mahishasuramardhini,Chandiga Devi,Varahi Devi,Aadhi Parasakthi,Mariamman, Bhuvaneswari,Parameswari, Kali Devi, Ambal,Annapurna and by many more names. Whatever by name she is called, the result in worshipping Goddess Parvathi Devi will be a favourable one. Based on several traditional stories, in some temples, she was self manifested. There are several followers of shaktism, in which specifically they will worship goddess parvathi alone. They will participate in all the festivals of amman, and visit several temples of the goddess and offer their prayers to her.
Some staunch devotees will visit amman temples through pada yatra, especially during Aadi month.
CONCLUSION
Goddess Parvathi, who grants our wishes and fulfil our dreams, and is the mother(AMMA) for all of us, and for all the living creatures in this world. Let us pray to the divine mother for our well being, and chant her name sincerely and continuously with full of devotion in our mind.
“OM SAKTHI PARA SAKTHI”
R.HARISHANKAR
