| Angala Paramesvari Amman | |
|---|---|
| Member ofMatrikas | |
 A statue of Angala Parameshvari Amman at Melmalayanur Angala Parameshvari Amman Temple | |
| Other names |
|
| Venerated in | Tamil Diaspora inTamil Nadu,Fiji,Caribbean Tamil Communities,South Africa,Mauritius,Thailand,Malaysia,Singapore,Vietnam,Trinidad & Tobago,Karnataka |
| Associate | Shiva |
| Abode | Mel Malayanoor |
| Weapon | |
| Adherents | Shaktas,Shaivas |
| Mount | Lion |
| Temples |
|
| Consort | Shiva[1] |
Angala Devi, also known asAngalamman andAngala Paramesvari, is anaspect of theHindu goddessParvati, primarily worshipped in the villages ofSouth India as akaval deivam, a guardian deity. She is often additionally considered to be an aspect of one of theMatrikas.[2]
Angalamman is a manifestation of Parvati that is more popular inSouth India. She is a fierce form of Parvati who is a guardian deity in many villages. It is stated that Parvati took the form of Angala Amman to help Shiva get rid of theKapala that was following him after he cut off the fifth head ofBrahma.
According to legend, Shiva took the form of Bhairava and cut off the fifth head of Brahma for being arrogant about his creation. Brahma had no remorse about the suffering that living beings experienced on earth. Shiva soon felt remorseful. To receive redemption for the sin, Brahma told him to become a wandering ascetic (Bhikshatana) and beg for food in his skull, and he felt remorse for and cured the suffering of living beings on earth.
As per the story of Angalamman, the fifth head of Brahma started following Shiva. The head of Brahma made his home in the arm of Shiva and started eating whatever Shiva received from begging.
Parvati decided to put an end to the Kapala of Brahma. On the advice ofVishnu, she prepared food for Shiva at Thandakarunyam Tirtham near Angikulam Tirtham. Shiva came to eat the food. Parvati intentionally scattered food around the place and the Kapala of Brahma came down to eat them, leaving the hand of Shiva. Parvati seized this opportunity and took the fierce form of Angalamman and stamped down the Kapala using her right leg and destroyed it, turning it into ashes, after which it merged with Brahma.
The most famous temple dedicated to Angalamman is the Sri Angala Parameswari Temple atMelmalayanur inGingee Taluk inVillupuram District inTamil Nadu.
