Skanda Dia FoundationSkanda Dia Foundation

Sree Thandumariyamman Kovil, Yellanalli

Thandumariyamman

The village’s protecting mother goddess — the deity of the same temple that hosts the Foundation’s own Thirumurugan Thirukalyanam gathering.

Mari Amman deity decorated for Mari Habba

தள்டுமாரந்நான்

The mother who watches over the village

Mariamman is worshipped across Tamil Nadu as a protecting mother goddess — guardian of rain, of health, and of the village itself. Thandumariyamman is the form of Her honoured at Sree Thandumariyamman Kovil, Yellanalli, where the Foundation is based, and the deity is treated as a close, personal protector of the community rather than a distant figure.

Every year at Mari Habba, the temple’s festival, the deity is adorned in silk, gold, and a full canopy of marigold, rose, and jasmine, and brought before the people she is believed to protect.

Her temple

Sree Thandumariyamman Kovil, Yellanalli — also home to the Foundation’s Thirumurugan Thirukalyanam gathering.

Her festival

Mari Habba, celebrated annually, when the deity is dressed and carried through the community she watches over.

The Foundation’s part

A contribution toward the festival’s chariot decoration — a small part in a much older village tradition.

GLIMPSES

From Mari Habba

Mari Amman deity decorated for Mari Habba
Adorned for the festival
Mari Amman deity decorated for Mari Habba
Marigold, rose, and jasmine, woven into a full canopy
Mari Amman deity decorated for Mari Habba
The community gathers close, incense rising before the deity

GO DEEPER

Continue through Gods & Gurus

See Mari Habba

The Foundation’s own coverage of the festival, with photos and video.

See the Festival

Meet Lord Muruga

His birth, His war with Surapadman, and what His courage is said to mean.

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Back to Gods & Gurus

See the full, growing circle of deities and teachers this lineage turns toward.

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