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Kuladevata
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A kuladevata (Sanskrit: कुलदेवता, romanized: Kuladevatā, lit. 'clan deity'),[1] also known as a kuladaivaṃ (Telugu: కులదైవం),[2] is an ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism and Jainism.[3]
Such a deity is often the object of one's devotion (bhakti), and is coaxed to watch over one's clan (kula), gotra, family, and children from misfortune. This is distinct from an ishta-devata (personal tutelar) and a grāmadevatā (village deities).[4]
A male deity is called a kuladeva and female deity kuladevi (sometimes spelled kuldev and kuldevi respectively).[5]
Etymology
[edit]The word kuladevata is derived from two words: kula, meaning clan, and devata, meaning deity, referring to the ancestral deities that are worshipped by particular clans.[6]
Veneration
[edit]Kuladaivams of the Shaiva tradition are often considered to be forms of Shiva and Parvati, while those of the Vaishnava tradition are often regarded to be forms of Vishnu and Lakshmi.[7]
Due to the veneration of holy men (babas) in several regions of the subcontinent, several communities consider such men to be their kuladevatas in the place of a deity.[8]
In western India, some communities regard local monarchs who belonged to their clan to be their kuladevata.[9]
List
[edit]The following is a non-exhaustive list of the various kuladevatas revered in different regions of the Indian subcontinent:
Northern India
[edit]Himachal Pradesh
[edit]Uttar Pradesh
[edit]Some of the Primary Kuladevatas of Uttar Pradesh include:
- Shiva
- Durga
- Kali
- Bhairava
- Hanuman
- Krishna
- Shitala
- Gogaji
- Kalwa Pawan
- Lalita Masani
- Shyam Baba
- Sabal Singh Bawri
- Kesarmal Bawri
- Nathia Chowki
- Pittar (Ancestors)
- Brahm Baba
Southern India
[edit]Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
[edit]Some of the primary kuladevatas of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana include:
- Venkateswara
- Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha
- Sita Ramachandra
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswara
- Kameswari devi
- Chennakeshava
- Mallanna, also known as Khandoba
- Sri Kaleshwara
- Sri Mallikarjuna
- Kanaka Durga
- Rajarajeswari
- Shakambhari
- Nimishamba
- Yellamma
- Peddamma Thalli
- Muthyalamma
- Pochamma
- Patala Lakshmi
- Shakambhari
- Kattalamma

Karnataka
[edit]Some of the primary kuladevatas of Karnataka include:[10]
Tulu Nadu
[edit]Some of the primary kuladevatas of Tulu Nadu include:
Kerala
[edit]Some of the primary kuladevatas of Kerala include:[11][12]
- Padmanabhaswamy
- Guruvayurappan
- Bhadrakali
- Rakteswari
- Vettakkorumakan
- Narayani
- Lakshmi-Narayana
- Narasimha
- Ganesha
- Ayyappan
- Navadurga
- Damodara
- Shasta
Tamil Nadu
[edit]Some of the primary kuladevatas of Tamil Nadu include:
- Annanmar Thangal
- Azhiya Ilangai Amman
- Shastha
- Kurathiamman
- Ellamman
- Kamakshi
- Angalamman
- Kala Bhairavar
- Narasimha
- Bhadrakali
- Kallalagar
- Mariamman
- Thillai Kali
- Karuppu Sami
- Veeramaathi Amman
- Kodaiyalappan
- Pavadairayan
- Renukamba
- Pachchaiamman
- Draupadi Amman
- Peradachiyamman
- Periyandichiyamman
- Marudhaiyan
- Madurai Veeran
- Muneeshvarar
- Maada saamy
- Thalavai Nalla Maada saamy
- Ayyanar
- Murugan
- Veerabhadrar
- Periandavar
- Sudalaimadan
- Sadaiudayar
- Nondi Veeran
- Kateri Amman
- Sapta Kanni
- Sankara Narayana
- Selliamman / Sellandiamman
- Valampuri Muneeshwarar
Western India
[edit]Maharashtra
[edit]The kuladevatas worshipped in Maharashtra include:
- Ambabai, also called Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur[13]
- Vajreshwari
- Tulja Bhavani[14][13]
- Virabhadra of Mukhed.[15]
- Ekvira at Karla[16]
- Khandoba of Jejuri[17]
- Jyotiba near Kolhapur[18]
- Khandoba of Pali
- Lakshmi-Narasimha of Nira Narsingpur
- Mandhradevi near Wai
- Renuka of Mahur
- Vasavi Mata
- Vyadeshwar
- Yamai of Aundh[19]
- Yogeshwari of Ambejogai
- Venkateswara of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh
- Saptashrungi of Vani, Nashik
- Mahalakshmi of Ganoja, Bhatkuli (Amravati)
- Chandrala Parameshwari of Sannati
Konkan
[edit]The kuladevatas venerated in the Konkan region include:
- Aryadurga
- Bhagavati
- Chamundeshwari
- Damodar
- Devaki-Krishna
- Gajantalakshmi
- Ekvira
- Jaganmata
- Kamakshi
- Mallikarjuna[20]
- Maha Ganapathi Mahammaya
- Mahalakshmi
- Mahalasa
- Mahamaya
- Mahamaya Kalika
- Mangeshi
- Nageshi
- Kali
- Waghjai
- Lakshmi-Narasimha
- Navadurga
- Ramnath
- Ravalnath
- Saptakoteshwar
- Shantadurga
- Sharwani Vetal
- Vijayadurga
- Vimleshwar
- Vetala
- Rameshwar
- Mauli
- Venkataraman
Gujarat and Rajasthan
[edit]The kuladevatas worshipped in Gujarat and Rajasthan include:[21]
- Arasuri Ambaji
- Ashapura Mata
- Baba Mohan Rama
- Baba Ramdevji
- Babosa Bhagwan
- Suswani Mata
- Momai Mata
- Bhadrakali
- Bhagwati Maa
- Bhatiji Maharaj
- Brahmani Mata
- Chamunda Mata
- Dada Jasraj
- Eklingji
- Devnarayan
- Gajanan Mata
- Gogaji
- Vitthalanatha
- Harkor
- Harsidhhi Mata
- Hinglaj Mata
- Jeen Mata
- Kaila Devi
- Mahakali Mata
- Mahalakshmi Mata
- Manasa Devi
- Meldi Maa
- Modheswari
- Nagnechiya Maa
- Pabuji
- Rana Jashraj
- Sachiya Mata
- Sati Mata
- Siriyal Mata (Savla)
- Swaminarayan
Bihar
[edit]
Bihar
In Bihar, the following deities are worshipped as kuldevi kuldevta
- Braham baba
- Saat bahini Mata
- Hanuman ji
- Bhairav ji
- Sokha baba
- Banni Mata
- Sati Mata
- Parmeshwari Mata
- Durga Mata
- Kali Mata
- Lakshmi Mata
- Sarswati Mata
- Shitala Mata
- Phulmati Mata
- Kumari Mata
- Gahil Mata
- Kamla Mata
- Chandika Mata
- Vindhyavashni Mata
- Maha Maya Mata
- Narsingh baba
- Shiv ji
- Gauraiya Baba
- Karikh baba
- Feku baba
- Bhuiya baba
- Chauharmal baba
- Sahlaish baba
Bengal
[edit]In Bengal, the following deities are venerated as kuladevatas: ™\
Sri Lanka
[edit]The following is a list of kuladevatas venerated in Sri Lanka:
References
[edit]- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-10-17). "Kuladevata, Kuladevatā, Kula-devata: 9 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
- ^ "Kuladeivam & Its Significance - The Verandah Club". theverandahclub.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-10-17). "Kuladevata, Kuladevatā, Kula-devata: 9 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ Cush, Denise; Robinson, Catherine; York, Michael (2012-08-21). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Routledge. p. 437. ISBN 978-1-135-18978-5.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-10-17). "Kuladeva, Kula-deva: 7 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
- ^ Saravanan, V. Hari (2014). Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India. Notion Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-93-84391-49-2.
- ^ "Shiva and Shaivism - Origin, Beliefs, Practices, History & mentions in Vedas". TemplePurohit - Your Spiritual Destination | Bhakti, Shraddha Aur Ashirwad. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
- ^ Kurien, Prema (2007-06-19). A Place at the Multicultural Table: The Development of an American Hinduism. Rutgers University Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-8135-4161-7.
- ^ Lachaier, Pierre (1999-01-01). Firmes et entreprises en Inde: la firme lignagère dans ses réseaux (in French). KARTHALA Editions. p. 70. ISBN 978-2-86537-927-9.
- ^ Atmashraddhananda, Swami (2022-02-01). A Pilgrimage To Western Ghats Temples In Karnataka. Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 15.
- ^ Ltd, Infokerala Communications Pvt (2017-09-01). Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage 2017. Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 197. ISBN 978-81-934567-0-5.
- ^ Singh, K. S. (1992). People of India: pt.1-3 Kerala. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1427. ISBN 978-81-85938-99-8.
- ^ a b Maxine Berntsen (1 January 1988). The Experience of Hinduism: Essays on Religion in Maharashtra. SUNY Press. pp. 174–175. ISBN 978-0-88706-662-7.
- ^ ul Hassan, S. S. (1920). The Castes and Tribes of HEH the Nizam's Dominions (Vol. 1). Asian educational services. pp. 49, 46, 88, 97, 109, 118, 183, 234, 280, 622, 616, 556, 595, 407, 304, 370, 338.
- ^ Parāñjape, Tārābāī (1985). Sīmā pradeśātīla bhāvagaṅgā (in Marathi). Marāṭhī Sāhitya Parishada, Āndhra Pradeśa.
- ^ Punekar, Vinaja B. (1959). The Son Kolis of Bombay. New Delhi, India: Popular Book Depot. pp. 160: The deity was the goddess worshipped by Ekveera, who is also mentioned in the Devi Bhāgavata (Skandha 6, Adhyāya 17 : 23 ). Jejuri is the seat of Khandobā. The seat of Ekveerā is popularly known as “ Āy Jāge ' (place of the mother).
- ^ Shirish Chindhade (1996). Five Indian English Poets: Nissim Ezekiel, A.K. Ramanujan, Arun Kolatkar, Dilip Chitre, R. Parthasarathy. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 107. ISBN 978-81-7156-585-6.
- ^ Glushkova, I., 2006. Moving God (s) ward, calculating money: Wonders and wealth as essentials of a tīrtha-yātrā. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 29(2), pp.215-234.
- ^ Gupta, R.R., 2007. Wada of Maharashta, an Indian courtyard house form. Cardiff University (United Kingdom).
- ^ Mallikarjuna Temple, Goa
- ^ "Kuldevi List & Gotra List of Oswal Samaj - Agam Nigam - A Jain Hub". 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
External links
[edit]Kuladevata
View on GrokipediaTerminology
Etymology
The term kuladevata originates from Sanskrit, where it is a compound word formed by kula (कुल), meaning "clan," "family," or "lineage," and devatā (देवता), denoting "deity" or "divine being."[3] The element devatā itself derives from deva (देव), signifying "god" or "deity," combined with the suffix -tā (-ता), which imparts an abstract or possessive nuance, often indicating a divine entity associated with or belonging to something specific, such as a group or lineage.[3] This etymological structure emphasizes the deity's role as a protector tied to familial or clan identity, reflecting ancient Indo-Aryan linguistic patterns where compounds like this denote relational attributes.[1] Linguistically, the concept underlying kuladevata traces back to Vedic traditions of ancestor veneration (pitṛ), evident in the Rigveda, but the specific compound term emerges more prominently in post-Vedic literature, particularly medieval Hindu scriptures like the Puranas.[1] For instance, the Śivapurāṇa (circa 8th-10th century CE) uses kuladevatā to refer to a family's tutelary deity in contexts of marriage and clan rituals (2.3.46), while the Viṣṇupurāṇa (circa 4th-5th century CE) identifies it with protective divinities such as Durgā for clan welfare.[3] This evolution marks a shift from broad Vedic polytheism to more localized, clan-specific devotion in the epics and Puranas, integrating earlier ideas of gotra (lineage groups) into formalized worship practices without altering the core Sanskrit roots.[1] Across Indic languages, kuladevata adapts in spelling and pronunciation while retaining its core meaning. In Hindi, it appears as kula devtā (कुल देवता), emphasizing the masculine form for clan gods, whereas in Tamil, it becomes kula deivam (குலதெய்வம்), often highlighting feminine deities like village goddesses in Dravidian contexts.[4] These variations reflect phonological shifts—such as the softening of Sanskrit ṭ to v in South Indian tongues—and regional emphases on gender-specific forms, but the Sanskrit etymology remains foundational in scholarly and scriptural usage.[1]Related Concepts
Kuladevata refers to the hereditary family or clan deity in Hinduism, passed down through the paternal lineage and serving as a protective spiritual entity for the entire kin group, in contrast to personally chosen deities like ishta-devata.[5][6] This inheritance underscores its role as a fixed ancestral guardian, binding generations to a shared divine protector rather than individual preference.[7] Closely linked to this is the concept of the kuladevata as a clan protector, often embodying the collective welfare and continuity of the family line by safeguarding against misfortunes and ensuring prosperity.[5] In maintaining ancestral dharma, the kuladevata enforces familial duties and ethical obligations rooted in tradition, reinforcing the idea that devotion to this deity upholds the moral and spiritual legacy of forebears.[7] This protective function aligns with broader Hindu theological frameworks where the deity acts as a mediator between the living family and its historical roots. The kuladevata integrates with the concept of pitru (ancestors) in Hindu rituals by representing the divine extension of ancestral veneration, where worship of the family deity parallels offerings to forebears to secure their blessings and resolve any unresolved karmic ties.[8]| Concept | Integration with Kuladevata |
|---|---|
| Pitru Worship (Shraddha Rituals) | Kuladevata invocations often precede or accompany pitru tarpana, invoking the deity to facilitate ancestral peace and family harmony, as the kuladevata is seen as the enduring spiritual representative of the lineage.[8] |
| Ancestral Dharma Maintenance | Devotion to kuladevata ensures adherence to pitru rin (debt to ancestors), blending deity worship with ritual remembrance to perpetuate dharma across generations.[7] |
| Lineage Protection | As an ancestral tutelary, the kuladevata shields the family from pitru dosha (ancestral curses), integrating protective rituals that honor both the deity and forebears.[5] |