கள்ளியங்காட்டு மாரியம்மன் திருக்கோவில்: Kalliyankattu Mariamman Temple

Abstract

Humans inhabit settlements established in suitable locations across this vast world. While living there, they have also lived in awe and fear of the natural forces surrounding them—earth, water, air, space, and fire. Believing in the existence of a power far greater than their own, they began to worship these elements as deities. Initially, they worshipped the trees and vegetation around them; later, they began planting stones, regarding them as divine, and worshipping them. They found fulfillment in offering the flowers and fruits they gathered to these stones. Similarly, they rejoiced in offering the meat from their hunts to the gods. These practices continue to this day in temples, observed as acts of fulfilling vows or making supplications. In modern times, keeping pace with civilizational progress, people sculpt idols, assign them specific names based on their attributes, and worship them. This is how deities and the associated festival traditions evolved. Against this backdrop, this article explores the history and festivals of the Kalliyankattu Mariamman Temple in the Gobi region.

Keywords

• Temple
• Cactus thickets
• Kalyana Vinayagar
• Flagstaff
• Memorial stone
• Horse statue