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Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman is a Hindu deity, also known as Sri Chowdeshwari Devi.(Hindi : श्री रामलिंग चौडेस्वरी माता, Tamil : ஸ்ரீ ராமலிங்கசௌடேஸ்வரிஅம்மன், Malayalam :ശ്രീ രാമലിംഗ ചൌഡേശ്വരി അമ്മൻ, Kannada : ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಲಿಂಗ ಚೌಡೆಸ್ವಾರಿ ದೇವಿ, Telugu: శ్రీ రామలింగ చౌదెస్వరి దేవి). Worshipped in three forms of Shakti, Chamunda, and Jyothi (the divine light). This goddess is worshipped as Sri Chowdeshwari Devi and as Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman. The other names are Banashankari, Soodambika. This goddess is kuladevatha for Devanga people.[1]
| Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman | |
|---|---|
Kuladevatha of Devanga People | |
| Affiliation | Devi |
| Mantra | Oṃ Eesa Pathni sa Vithmahey Simha Twajaya dhimahi Thannoh Sowdi prachodayāt (for Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman) Om Sri Sri Sri Viraat Rupaya Mahamardini Tanno Chowdeshwari Prachodayat (for Chowdeshwari devi) |
| Weapon | Trishula |
| Mount | Lion (Dawon) |
| Consort | Shiva in the form of Ramalingeswara |
| Sri Ramalinga sowdeswari amman temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | All districts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu (mostly in Salem), Kerala (mostly in Kuthampully), Andra Pradesh (specially in Nandavaram),Delhi, Maharashtra, also in some districts of other states. |
| Location | |
| Location | Not Specified (Temples are located all over the Country) |
| State | Karnataka, Telangana, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi. |
| Country | India |
  Location in Tamil Nadu  Location in India | |
| Geographic coordinates | 11°41′58″N 77°52′29.4″E / 11.69944°N 77.874833°E |
History
According to the Devanga Purana,Sage Devala is the progenitor of the Devanga community.[2]The person called "Agni Manu", the first Weaver who weave clothes for all. After his liberation, the demand for clothes is very high. Devala emerged from the third eye or believed as from the heart of Lord Shiva to create clothing and to teach weaving to the world. When Devala return after getting threads from Lord Vishnu's Lotus navel, a group of five demons attacked him, it was no moon day so in the dark, the power of demons was very high. Devala struggled with Vishnu's Chakra and finally, he prayed Sakthi to protect him. Devi Sakthi appeared with fluorescence and glory, wearing bright full Crown, holding Trisul and other weapons in her hand mounted on a lion. Finally, she killed the demons. The blood of the demons were in White, Black,Red,Green and Yellow. Devala soaked the threads in the demons colourful blood. Then Devi Sakthi is named as Chowdeshwari or Sowdeswari(Chowda/Sowda/Sooda=the brightness). Then she advised Devala sage to worship her in every no moon day. [3] Devala went to South Himalaya and owned "Sagara Kingdom" with Amodh Nagar as its capital, weaved new clothes and give them to all Trimurti, Tridevi, Deva, Asura, Gandarva, kinnar and normal people. Devala emerged from Mahadev's body and gave clothes to cover Deva's body parts so his community is named as Devanga (Anga=Body part) Community. He married Suryadev's Sister DevaDhutta so as Surya is first kinsmen, Then Aadhi shesha's daughter ChandraReka so Devanga people are called as Sedar/Jendar (Aadhi Shesha is written as Aadhi Seda in Tamil) and then he married Asura Vakrathantha's daughter AgniDhutta. People who follow Devala are known as Devanga or Devangar.[4]
In Tamil Nadu
In Karnataka, Devanga community who worshiped the goddess some centuries ago, they moved to other states, such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Weaving industry, set up the temple of Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman as their deity in their hometowns. The Devanga community who speak Kannada in Tamil Nadu is also known as Devanga Chettiar. They live in a number of places in Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Salem, Erode, Madurai and Virudhunagar districts. Although they practice their divine practices in the two groups of Hinduism Saivism, Vaishnavism, they generally worship Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman. They are 10000 clans (Vamsa/Vansh) in Devanga Community.
Chowdeshwari vs Ramalinga Sowdeswari
Devanga people follow Shakthism by origin so as they worship the goddess in the form of Chowdeshwari the Supreme Goddess. Later by Hinduism tradition they adopt some cultures and worship Chowdeshwari along with RamaBana ( Lord Ram 's Bow)and Lingam (Shiva), as Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman, with both Shaivism and Vaishnavism culture. The name only differs and there is no other difference in their tradition. Mostly the Devanga people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala worship Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman and Devanga of other state worship her as Chowdeshwari Devi.[5] Whereas Nepali Korakpur Devanga people worship her as Komalangi Devi.
War between Sowdeswari and demons
When Devala returns from the abode of Sri Vishnu, five demons named Vajramushti, Dhoomravakra, Dhoomratchasa, Chithrasena, Panchasena respectively attacked him. Devala used Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra. But by the boon they got from Vishnu, Chakra lost the war. Devi Sowdeswari appeared and killed those demons. This day is celebrated as Ashada Amavasya day by Devanga people.[3]
Festivals
- Devanga New Year: Those who follow the calendar of moon's rotation, celebrate their New year on the day of Ugadi. If they follow sun's rotation calendar, they celebrate their New year on the day of Chaithra 1. Mostly they celebrate Ugadi as their new year.
- Chaitra Suddha Panchami: It was celebrated on the fifth Thithi day after Ugadi. It was the birthday celebration of Devala Maharishi. He was born on this day from Lord Shiva's Eye.
- AshadhaAmavasya: It is the No Moon Day of Ashadha month. It was believed that Devi Chowdeshwari appeared on this day to kill the demons. It is the Birthday celebration of the Goddess. Devanga people celebrate every No Moon Day as their holy day, on that day they stop weaving and offer their prayers to Chowdeshwari.[3]
- Devanga janivara: They celebrate their janivara festival on Shraavana Shravana (Aavani Thiruvonam)) day. Devanga people follow Rig upakarma so as they celebrate janivara in Thiruvonam Nakshatra where others celebrate on Dhanishta / Avittam day.
- Yearly Festival (Varusha Habba): They celebrate the yearly festival of Sowdeswari Amman Temple. It usually falls during the season of Navratri and it varies among the place and their area tradition. It includes Alagu Seva, Manja Neer Meravana, Amman Beethi Ulaa.
- sankranti: Devanga people celebrate Sankranti festival. But in Tamil Nadu, they celebrate pongal festival instead of celebrating Sankranthi.
- Dhoddabba: A festival celebrated once by every 12 years. [6]
- 60 Mokku: This festival held on every 12 years on Devanga people's family Temple, on this festival the Devanga people gather to their family temple and offer prayers.
- Some Devanga people don't celebrate Diwali it varies by family tradition and Vamsam.
- janmastami: Devanga people celebrate Krishna Ashtami festival.
- Ramnavami: As they pray to Lord Shiva in the form of Ramalingeshwar, they celebrate Ramnavami also.
- And they celebrate all local festivals.
Devanga Community Flag is in yellow colour with the figures of Nandhi, Surya, Chandra drawn in green.
Pooja Methods in Sowdeswari Temple
The Pooja methods for Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman also differ from others. They use the mixed culture of North and South India. They built a small cart like building by using Jaggery bricks. The roofing is done by Sugarcane. Betel leaf is used for Decoration. Special turmeric called Pandaram is given as Prasadha for deities. Devanga people perform all the rituals by themselves.[7]
Alagu Seva
Ancient history
King Devdas, the seventh incarnation of Devala built a beautiful Temple for Chowdeshwari. He invited the goddess to the temple but on the way she disappeared in the water, so the soldiers along with Devdas wounded themselves with swords, suddenly the goddess appeared and join them.[8]
About Alagu Seva
Alagu seva is a special Cultural Ritual Event done only by Devanga People.[9] Deities used to wound themselves by holy sword ("Katthi") by saying "Theesukko Thaye", "Thegadhuko Thaye", "Tho parak, Thali parak". This ritual is performed by Devanga males irrespective of their age. It is believed that their ancestors used to follow this method to invoke Devi Sowdeswari. Following them, nowadays these people are invoking Sowdeswari Amman by this method. Pandaram (Holy Turmeric mixture) is applied among the wounds so as to protect from infections. In these modern days, young Devanga people perform some Ritual dance by this holy swords. Except for Devanga, other people are not allowed to touch the Holy Sword or perform this Ritual. It is also known as "Alagu Seva", "Katthi Haakkadhu". The one who perform this tradition is called Veera Kumar.[10]
Monasteries
Hampi Hemakooda Gayathri Peetham
Devanga Kula Jegath Guru Hampi Hemakooda Gayathri Peeda Sri Sri Sri Dhayananthapuri swamiji,[11][12][13]
Sambusailam Gayathri Peetham
Devangakula Guru Abbot Chandramouleswara Swamiji sends a prayer to the Gayatri Goddess, at Sambusailam Monastery. It is located on the left side of Erikarai Jalakandapuram Sri Ramakrishna Sowdeswari Amman temple.[14]
Temples
The main temple to the goddess Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman is located in Hampi, Karnataka. The temple is called as "Thai Sthalam" which means Native Temple for Devanga people. The temple located in Dharapuram is also known as Thai Sthalam. You can also visit Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple for this goddess is located all over the country. In other states, the goddess is named as Sri Banashankari, Sri Chowdeswari, Sowdamman, Soodambigai, etc.
Jagajathara Dhoddabba (Big festival)
A five-day festival celebrated for Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman called Jagajathara Dhoddabba. [6]
- Sakthi: It is dedicated to the goddess Sakthi – "Irumaneru" goddess will be revered for Sakthi function.
- Chamundi: It is dedicated to the goddess Chamundeswari – "Yendhelaaru" goddess will be revered for Chamundi fucntion.
- Jyothi: It is dedicated to goddess Jyothi Light – "Ladhiyagaaru" goddess will be revered for Maha Jyothi.
- Gundam: The fourth day of the festival dedicated to the goddess Gundam – "Kappelaaaru" goddess will be revered for Gundam.[15]
Bibliography
- Pintchman, Tracy (1994). The Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition. SUNY Press, New York. ISBN 0-7914-2112-0.
- Census of India, 1961: Madras[16]
- Salem City, 1980[17]
- South India[18]
- 2nd Congress on Traditional Sciences and Technologies of India, 27–31 December 1995, Anna University, Madras[19]
- People Of India[20]
- Wangu, Madhu Bazaz (2003).[21]
- Religions in the Modern World[22]
References
- ^ "MGR magic still spins votes from Coimbatore weavers". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ "Devanga Purana - தேவாங்க புராணம் - Devalar - Devala Maharishi". Devangakula.org. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "speciality of Aashada New Moon Day - ஆடி அமாவாசை சிறப்பு". Devangakula.org. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ "Devala munivar and avatars - தேவல முனிவரும் அவதாரங்களும்". Devangakula.org. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ "Erikarai Sri Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman Jalakandapuram". Sites.google.com.
- ^ a b "Ramalinga Sowdeswari Amman festival". Peliharaburung.com.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ [2] [dead link]
- ^ [3] [dead link]
- ^ "அலகு சேவை". Devangakula.org. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- ^ "About Devanga Guru". Devanga.org.
- ^ "Deavnga Guru and monastery". Devangaworld.com.
- ^ "Inaguration of Devanga bruhat Samavesha". Yeddyurappa.in.
- ^ "Devanga monastery details". Devanga.org.
- ^ [4] [dead link]
- ^ General, India Office of the Registrar (15 June 1968). "Census of India, 1961: Madras". Manager of Publications. Retrieved 15 June 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Nārāyaṇaṉ, Ka Ilakkumi; Gangadharan, T.; Chandrasekar, N. (15 June 1999). "Salem City: An Ethnohistory (1792-1992)". Vysya college. Retrieved 15 June 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Abram, David; Guides (Firm), Rough; Edwards, Nick (15 June 2019). "The Rough Guide to South India". Rough Guides. Retrieved 15 June 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ University, Anna; Foundation, P. P. S. T. (15 June 1995). "2nd Congress on Traditional Sciences and Technologies of India, 27th-31st December 1995, Anna University, Madras". PPST Foundation. Retrieved 15 June 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh; Thirumalai, R.; Manoharan, S. (30 January 1997). "People Of India: Tamil Nadu". Affiliated East-West Press [for] Anthropological Survey of India. Retrieved 15 June 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models. New Delhi, India: Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-7017-416-3.
- ^ Linda Woodhead, ed. (26 May 2009). Religions in the Modern World (2nd ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-0415458917.