India’s Goddesses of Contagion Provide Protection in the Pandemic – Just don’t make them angry

Authors

Tulasi Srinivas, Emerson College
The Conversation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-15-2020

Capture Date

7-10-2020

URL

https://theconversation.com/indias-goddesses-of-contagion-provide-protection-in-the-pandemic-just-dont-make-them-angry-139745

Abstract

This article from cultural anthropologist Tulasi Srinivas explores the worship of Hindu goddesses known as Amman and the belief in their ability to cause illness or protect believers from pandemics, such as COVID-19. The article focuses on contemporary India while referencing the British Raj and other periods of time in Indian history, specifically those that involved a pandemic. The article details the main Amman known as Mariamman, along with the rituals required to properly worship the Amman.

WMU ScholarWorks Citation

Srinivas, Tulasi and The Conversation, "India’s Goddesses of Contagion Provide Protection in the Pandemic – Just don’t make them angry" (2020). Pandemic Response and Religion in the USA: Doctrine. 34.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/religion-pandemic-doctrine/34