Kuladevata

Kuladevata
A kuladevata, also known as a kuladaivaṃ, is an ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism and Jainism.
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).
Male kuladevatas are sometimes referred to as a kuladeva, while their female counterparts are called a kuladevi.
Etymology
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.
Veneration
The deity can be represented in a male or a female human, an animal, or even an object, like a holy stone. It is believed that rituals done at a kuladeva/kuladevi temple benefits all those genetically connected with the one performing the ritual. 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. Hindu families make a pilgrimage to the kuladevata or kuladevi temple to obtain the blessing of the deity after an auspicious occasion, such as a wedding. Kuladevatas are worshipped in several sects of Hinduism and Jainism.
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.
In western India, some communities regard local monarchs who belonged to their clan to be their kuladevata.
List
The following is a non-exhaustive list of the various kuladevatas revered in different regions of the Indian subcontinent:
Southern India
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana include:
Venkateswara
Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari
Narasimha
Mallanna
Nimishamba
Karnataka
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Karnataka include:
Chennakeshava
Narasimha
Virupaksha
Nimishamba
Kerala
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Kerala include:
Padmanabhaswamy
Guruvayurappan
Bhadrakali
Rakteswari
Vettakkorumakan
Narayani
Lakshmi-Narayana
Narasimha
Ganesha
Ayyappan
Navadurga
Damodara
Shasta
Tamil Nadu
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Tamil Nadu include:
Annanmar Thangal
Shastha
Kurathiamman
Kamakshi
Angalamman
Kala Bhairavar
Narasimha
Bhadrakali
Kallalagar
Mariamman
Thillai Kali
Karuppu Sami
Pavadairayan
Renukamba
Pachchaiamman
Peradachiyamman
Periyandichiyamman
Madurai Veeran
Muneeshvarar
Ayyanar
Murugan
Veerabhadrar
Periandavar
Sudalaimadan
Nondi Veeran
Kateri Amman
Sapta Kanni
Sankara Narayana
Western India
Maharashtra
The kuladevatas worshipped in Maharashtra include:
Ambabai
Vajreshwari
Mahalakshmi
Tulja Bhavani
Charbhuja
Ekvira
Jyotiba
Jaganmata/Parvati/Durga
Khandoba
Jyotiba
Khandoba
Kedar Janani
Lakshmi-Narasimha
Mahadeva
Mandhradevi
Renuka
Vasavi Mata
Mothi Devi
Shree Vyadeshwar
Yamai
Yogeshvari
Manudevi
Shakatambika
Lakshmi
Konkan
The kuladevatas venerated in the Konkan region include:
Aryadurga
Bhagavati
Chamundeshwari
Damodar
Devaki-Krishna
Gajantalakshmi
Ekvira
Jaganmata
Kamakshi
Mallikarjuna
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
The kuladevatas worshipped in Gujarat and Rajasthan include:
Arasuri Ambaji
Momai Mata
Ashapura Mata
Baba Mohan Rama
Baba Ramdevji
Suswani Mata
Bhadrakali
Bhatiji Maharaj
Brahmani Mata
Chamunda Mata
Dada Jasraj
Dev Narain
Gajanan Mata
Gogaji
Vitthalanatha
Harkor
Harsidhhi Mata
Hinglaj Mata
Jeen Mata
Mahakali Mata
Mahalakshmi Mata
Manasa Devi
Modheswari
Nagnechiya Maa
Pabuji
Rana Jashraj
Sachiya Mata
Sati Mata
Tanot Mata
Tulja Bhavani
Vachra Dada
Varahi Mata
Veer Teja
Vindhya
Umiya Mata
Eastern India
Bihar
In Bihar, the following deities are worshipped as kuladevatas:
Kamakhya
Durga
Mahamaya
Bengal
In Bengal, the following deities are venerated as kuladevatas:
Kali
Durga
Shiva
Parvati
Jagadhatri
Narayana
Krishna
Lakshmi-Narayana
Shitala
Chandi
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Manasa
Sri Lanka
The following is a list of kuladevatas venerated in Sri Lanka:
Nayinai Nagapoosani
Nallur Murugan
References
Hindu deities
Tutelary deities