THE Queensburgh Hindu Temple Society will be observing its Gangai and Mariamman prayer. According to a member of the temple, Jayshree Rajgopaul, when the Indian population settled in Durban more than a 150 years ago, they not only adapted but brought with them their own traditional and cultural practices which are still largely practiced today. “The annual Mariammen prayer is one such example. To appreciate cultural diversity in Queensburgh is to understand it, and we are fortunate enough to learn about each other’s culture as we observe and partake in these traditions,” she said.
Rajgopaul said that Mari, which means rain, is a very popular Goddess of Tamil Nadu. “While scholars believe that she is a goddess of the pre-Aryan days, most of the common people believe her as Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The people pray to her for bringing rain and avoiding epidemics. The concept of mother worship has existed since time immemorial, being the mother of the universe. She is ever ready to heed the call of Her devotees. Muthu (pearl), Mari (rain), Ammen (mother), thus being titled as the Mother of Rain, that which is more precious than pearls,” she added.
The annual Mariamman prayer is held from July to August, the month of Aadi and in Tamil a month starts from the fifth day. Hindus believe that in time of great drought, a time when people were plagued with measles and mumps. these people sought the help of the Divine Mother. This Mother, ever willing to help her children, manifested in the form of a woman garbed in yellow and carrying a pot of fermented meal and some syringa leaves, descended on the state of Samayapuram in India where she fed the ill with the porridge and nursed them with a mixture of syringa leaves and turmeric paste.
“She continued healing the sick and when her work was done she retired to the forest. The people whom she had cured sought her and wanted to know the identity of this mysterious lady. They found her seated under a syringa tree. They asked her to reveal her identity and wanted to know how she could be thanked for saving the lives of so many.
She disclosed herself as the Mother of the Universe and asked only that every year in the time that she appeared, her devotees gather in great numbers, worship her and distribute holy porridge to everybody, and promised to be their guiding and protecting force,” Rakgopaul explained.
She said the Mother then disappeared leaving torrents of rain to bathe the earth and aid growth of flora. “It is, therefore, in this great month of Aadi that the Mother Mariammen is venerated as the protector and curer of all miseries. The Gargum symbolising her crown is carried honouring her as the Queen of the Universe,” she added.
The Queensburgh Hindu Temple will host its Gangai prayer on the Friday, 17 July at 7.30am at Isipingo Beach (Tiger Rocks), and its Amman prayer on Sunday, 24 July at the Vauxhall Road grounds, Malvern (off Stella Road) at 10.30am. Contact Judy Reddy on 031 7084940, Cell 084 3024940 or e-mail Jayeshree at Jayshree.Rajgopaul@bwmr.co.za.
