samsaric worship - kula daivam

Vanakum , namaste , namaskarum

a very often asked question about the essence of why we must follow our kula daivam , its quite interesting that we use this guide to protect us , as this one form of samsaric worship .

yours in prayer

Meshan


Why do people worship 'family Deities' (Kula Daivam)?

Is it our Hindu (Specially South Indian) Tradition that each family have a family deitiy called KULA DEIVAM. These Kula Deivams are considered as the ANCESTRAL God..meaning our forefathers and relatives have been worshiping that god for ages. It is the unshaken belief of most of the Hindus that these family deities take care of our family and save from all hardships and hindrances. In south u have what is called the "kula deivam' or the ancestral god..meaning our forefathers and relatives have been worshiping that god for ages..Every family has a guardian angel called Kula Deivam (Kulam -- Lineage/Family, Deivam -- God). This in most communities tend to be different from the Hindu Gods that are generally worshiped in a common temple. A temple to a Kula deivam constructed in one's ancestral village/town, will have it as the main deity (Sanctum Sanctorum) while other Gods may also be present in the periphery. The Kula deivam can be formless as well. People who have migrated to other places still visit their ancestral village/town and pay their respects by offerings (animal sacrifices(by some people only) /donations /charity /breaking coconuts) and feasting (called pongal -- which is also the name of Thanksgiving festival and a dish made of rice). Since in most villages, people of the same community tend to be related, everyone will have the same Kula Daivam.People visit the temple of their Kula Deivam every year and make special pujas from their family. Mostly these Kula Deivams would be Marriamman Iyennar type, who are considered the great deities in the villages. -