Selliyamma, Pattalamma, Vandi-Kaliyamma, Alagiyanachchiyamma, Ulagattal, Pidari, Pechi, Katteri, Poleramma, Gangamma,[1] Chaudamma, Durgamma, Nukalamma, Paidamma, Asiramma, Padalamma, Gontyalamma, Paradesamma, Neralamma, Mallamma, Peddintamma, Somalamma, Matangirala, Talupulamma, Sellandiyamma, etc. Some of these names like Bhadrakali, Kollapuri-amma (Kollapura-Mahalakshml), Kaliyamma or Kala-Pidari (Kali), Gangamma (Ganga), Chaudamma (Chandi?), Durgamma (Durga) and Matangirala (MatangI, a recognized synonym of Parvatl) are clearly mentioned in the Tantrik works; and others can easily be traced to the same source. Mariyamma, for instance, under the name Marika occurs in the Puranas as the goddess presiding over small-pox and other infectious diseases. Kolumamma or Kulumayamma, Selliyamma (Tsallamma of the Telugus) and Sellandiyamma are evidently synonymous with Sitala. Poleramma, the village goddess commonly worshipped in the Telugu country, is also supposed to correspond to Sitala.[2] Peddintamma is perhaps Jyeshtha.
It is, however, difficult to explain similarly the origin of names like Ankalamma, Pattalamma, etc. Of these again, a few are of a flattering nature such as Mutyalamma, "the pearl-like mother " (fig. 138), Ponnamma or Bangaramma, "the golden mother," Alagiyanachchiyamma, "the beautiful queen mother," etc. Ellamma probably means the goddess of boundaries (Telugu, ella).
Kala-Pidari and Durga-Paramesvariof four arms are names of village goddesses which occur in early Chola inscriptions. The shrines of these are generally termed tirumurram.[3] But sometimes, when they are structures, well endowed and
- ↑ In parts of the Guntur district Gangamma is seen with the crocodile vehicle, e.g., at Pullagunta in the Palnad taluk. Evidently she represents the presiding deity of the river Ganges. In the epic poem Ramayana, where the heroine Sita is made to worship the goddess Ganga (Ganges), she promises to offer, on her safe return from exile, fowls, buffaloes and wine to that goddess.
- ↑ Sitala or Sitaladevi is recognized as the goddess presiding over small-pox both in the Canarese and the Telugu districts.
- ↑ Rai Bahadur Venkayya describes Pidari as a seated goddess with "fire issuing from her whole body to indicate her great wrath. On her head she wears a crown, various ornaments in her locks, on her forehead the mark of Siva, bulky jewels in the large holes of her ears and two flowers behind them. She has four hands holding in them, respectively, a kettle-drum with a snake, a trident, the skull of Brahma and a goad. Her throne is an altar. Pidari temples contain also an image of Vighnesvara and the entrance is guarded by two horrible door-keepers called Mannadiyar. She has eighteen generals. Pidari is said to be the chastizer of all evil spirits because those who hang or poison themselves, or die any violent death, are turned into malignant demons who would destroy the whole human race if not kept in check by Pidari ; " S.I.I., Vol. II. Introduction, p. 41, note I.
