The Goddess Mariamman

Wow! Incredible information about the Goddess Mariamman from Desicritics.org - lots of photos to describe the story as it unfolds. It's India, it's real, it's 21st century and simply, totally, unbelievable. And the people live this every single day. A Goddess for Summer April 23, 2008 Deepa Krishnan The fierce April heat brings with it rashes, skin diseases and the dreaded pox. Before it was eradicated in India, smallpox was one of the most feared diseases of summer. Chicken pox is still a big worry for Indian parents. Many communities believe it is the wrath of the Goddess Mariamman that brings on these diseases, and that she must be propitiated to ward off the pox. In Mumbai [formerly Bombay], a small community from Andhra Pradesh worships the Goddess Mariamman every summer, seeking protection from smallpox, chickenpox and all forms of disease. My housemaid is from Andhra Pradesh, so I went with her to see the annual Mariamman ceremony. Mum came along, of course, to find out what it was all about. The first thing we saw (heard) were the drums. Three men came walking from a little lane, and posed for me. Rest of article.