# Karumariamman

Karumariamman (Tamil: கருமாரியம்மன், romanized: Karumāriamman), also known as Karumari, is the Hindu goddess of smallpox, health and cure. She is also an aspect of the Hindu goddess Parvati and another form of the goddess Mariamman and Renuka. She is primarily worshipped in the villages of South India such as Thiruverkadu which is believed to be her abode.
Karumariamman is usually worshipped by Hindus from South India and Hindu's from Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Africa and Australia.
Some Hindus celebrate the festival of Panguni, Ādi Thiruviḻa and Navaratri in her honor, and it is believed that by celebrating this festivals in her honor reduces the risk of health issues and finds cure for health conditions and get relief from smallpox. In the Agama worship, She is worshipped as a combined manifestation of Parashakti, Adishakti, Icchashakti, Jnanashakti and Kriyashakti.
Karumariamman is mainly worshipped among the Thevar and Agamudayar caste in South India who consider her as their family and primary deity as well as their caste deity.

## Iconography

Karumariamman is usually pictured as a beautiful young woman with an oval shaped face, wearing a red dress with long jewellery and a big flower garland. And is portrayed having four hands with flames of fire being represented behind the goddess head which indicates lord Surya (Sun god) respects the goddess.
Karumariamman is generally portrayed in a sitting position, often holding a knife in her left hand and a bowl of kumkuma in the right. The other two hands hold a trident (trishula) on the right and a damaru on the left.

## Legend

According to legend, Karumariamman once disguised herself as a soothsayer and visited the sun-god Surya to predict his future. Surya ignored Karumariamman, refusing to grant her an audience. Angered, the goddess departed. The moment Karumariamman left his abode, Surya started losing his lustre. Soon he was turned into a large coal, causing the earth to plunge into darkness and chaos to reign in the universe. Surya realised his mistake and asked for forgiveness. To pacify Karumariamman, Surya promised that twice a year, he would touch her feet. Karumariamman blessed Surya and he regained his lost lustre. Today, the sun rays fall directly on the feet of Karumariamman at her abode of Thiruverkadu. This event happens in the Tamil calendar months of Panguni (March – April) and Puratasi (September – October).

## Temples
### India

* The Karumariamman Temple, Tiruverkadu is the main temple for the goddess Karumariamman. Every Sunday is celebrated as the day of Karumari. Adherents can observe the site of sun rays falling on the head the image of the goddess twice a year. The shrine of goddess Karumariamman is made out of wood.
* Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, erandam padai veedu, thiruvillinjayampakkam, Avadi
(Devi is described as aadhi Devi who gave darshan to kasyapa maharishi)
* Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, Whitefield, Bengaluru.
* The Karumariamman temple, Ragavendra

### Outside India
#### Indonesia

* Shri Karumariammen Koil, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia

#### Malaysia

* Karumariamman Temple, Penang located in Penang, Malaysia. The temple is noted for having the largest rajagopuram, or main sculpture tower, in Malaysia. It stands at a height of 72 feet (22 m). The entrance of the rajagopuram, at 21 ft (6.4 m) tall and 11 ft (3.4 m) wide, is also the biggest in Malaysia.
* Karumariamman Temple, Jalan Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

#### Singapore

* Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore, located in Singapore. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman and also Karumariamman.

#### Sri Lanka

* Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

#### Africa

* Sri Devi Karumariamman Thirukoil, located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

#### Canada

* Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, located in Calgary, Canada.

## Gallery

* Goddess Karumariamman at Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore
* Side view of the Rajagopuram of the Karumariamman Temple, Tiruverkadu, taken on 6 February 2022
* Karumariamman Temple, Penang in Penang, Malaysia