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For a State teeming with thousands of temples, many of them presided over by major Hindu Gods of Vedic origin, Tamil Nadu is also home to numberless folk deities venerated by the masses. Originating in oral accounts of events in the past, in legend and myth, these deities form the core of the spiritual and temporal life of the people, especially in the rural areas. Some of these folk deities are offshoots of storied characters from major religions, others are warriors, heroes and chieftains transformed into figures worthy of worship. Some are venerated in specific regions, others have pan-regional appeal. This offering contains accounts of some of these deities, as well as the traditions and customs followed and observed by their followers to protect them from falling into obscurit.

Contents: 1. Muni, the Versatile God, whom even the British Feared, 2. Ayyanar, the God of Prosperity who is also Sastha and Hariharaputran, 3. Madurai Veeran, Shopmaker's Son and a Universal Deity, 4. From Victimhood to Veneration: Kathayarayan in Popular lore, 5. Sudalai Maadan, the Lord of the Graveyard, 6. Mutharamman, an Aspect of Parvathi a Pan-regional Deity in Southern TN, 7. Deities Born of Demon Blood: Vandimalaian and Vandimalaichi, 8. Vengeful Neeli, now Benevolent Esakki, 9. Muthupattan, the Brahmin who Became a Cobbler, 10. Vethudayar Kali, who Accepts Cut Coins as Offerings, 11. Karuppasamy the God in Black, 12. Draupadi as Deity How a Character Became a Cult, 13. The Fearsome Angalamman and the Cult of Ravaging Graveyards, 14. From Flame to Fame: The Worship of Theepaintha Amman, 15. Coastal Deities and Spirits of the Sea, 16. Ponnar-Sankar Heroes of the Kongu Region, 17. Ponnar-Sankar's Padukalam: Death and Resurrection, 18. Bannari Amman: The Stone that Became a Goddess, 19. Undoing an Ancient Wrong the Cult of Masani Amman, 20. Folk Deities of Kongu Region, 21., Pachai Kali and Pavala Kali of Thanjavur, 22. Playing Dead to Fulfill a Vow: Padaikatti Ritual at Valangaiman, 23. Kuzhumayi Amman, the Uniter of Communities, 24. Village Deities at Home in a Metro.