Varahi Amman is a Hindu goddess who is one of the Sapta Matrikas or Mother Goddesses. Her worship is more common in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Varahi has associations with the boar incarnation of Vishnu, Varaha.
Varahi Amman has the face of a sow and the body of a woman. She rides a buffalo or a boar. The goddess protects her devotees from all dangers and bestows the power to overcome obstacles and destroy evil forces.
Some traditions revere her as a fertility goddess, and women who wish to conceive or want a successful pregnancy worship her. She is also believed to heal diseases.
As part of her worship, people offer flowers, fruits, etc., and also recite Mantras.
Varahi Temples
In many temples, devotees worship Varahi as part of the Sapta Matrikas. But in certain temples, she is the chief deity.
There is a 9th-century Varahi temple at Chaurasi, about 14 km from Konark, Orissa. Here she is Matysa Varahi, and devotees worship her using Tantric rites. In Varanasi, people worship her as Patala Bhairavi. In Chennai, Mylapore, there is a Varahi temple, and a bigger temple is coming up near Vedanthangal.
At the famous Brihadeeshwara temple for Shiva in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Ashadha Navaratri, one of the 4 Navratris, which falls in Ashadha month (June/July), is celebrated as a nine-day festival to honor Varahi at the Varahi shrine there.
There is also an ancient Varahi temple at Uthirakosamangai in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. In Salamedu, Villupuram, one can find an Ashta-Varahi temple with the goddess’ 8 forms.
The most famous Varahi temple in India is the Sri Kurumba Bhavani Temple in Karnataka, South India. This temple is over 1000 years old and lies in the town of Sulebhavi, near Belgaum city.
The temple has a lovely idol of the goddess, which was supposedly installed by Adi Shankaracharya. Several festivals and celebrations take place in the temple throughout the year, including the annual Varahi Amman festival. During this festival, the temple is illuminated with lights and decorated with flowers, festive decorations, etc. Many cultural and spiritual events are held on the occasion.
Some of the most well-known temples dedicated to Varahi Amman include Sri Kurumba Bhavani Temple, Sulebhavi, Karnataka.
Varahi Temple, Tiruvottiyur, Tamil Nadu
Varahi Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam, Andhra Pradesh
Varahi Amman Temple, Thirumullaivoyal, Tamil Nadu
Varahi Temple, Karur, Tamil Nadu Varahi Amman’s Powers
Varahi Amman is a fierce form of Goddess Durga or Parvati. She has immense powers which can be harnessed for the benefit of her devotees. Let us see what they are.
Varahi Amman is someone who protects her devotees from harm, evil spirits, and negative energies.
She also has the power to heal various illnesses and diseases.
Varahi Amman can bestow wealth and prosperity on those who please her. Many worship her for achieving financial stability and success.
Varahi Amman can bestow knowledge and wisdom on her true devotees. One can gain spiritual insight and understanding by worshipping her.
Being a fierce goddess, Varahi Amman signifies courage and strength. She comes to the help of her devotees when they are in trouble and enables them to overcome obstacles and face challenges.
Varahi Amman is associated with the element of earth, and hence, some refer to her as the goddess of the earth. Supposedly, she can control the forces of nature, including earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Varahi also has an association with the Muladhara or Root chakra, one of the energy centers in the human body. By meditating on her, one can activate and balance the muladhara or root chakra, which is associated with grounding, stability, and material success.
The 8 forms of Varahi
Varahi has 8 forms. They are:
Ashta Matrika Varahi
In this form, she is the leader of the Ashta Matrikas (8 mother-goddesses). People worship her for protection and removal of obstacles.
Maha Varahi
This form of Varahi is worshipped for power and strength. She is known to grant boons to her devotees.
Aswarooda Varahi
Devotees believe that this form of the goddess can help them to gain victory over their enemies and ward off black magic or evil spells.
Vana Varahi
This Varahi form bestows wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
Raja Matangi Varahi
She bestows intelligence, creativity, and knowledge.
Dhanu Varahi
This is a form of Varahi that bestows financial stability, success in business, and wealth accumulation.
Swarna Varahi
People worship her spiritual growth and inner peace.
Pratyangira Varahi
This form of Varahi offers protection from negative energies, fear, and anxiety.
Best days to worship Varahi Amman
Though one can worship Varahi Amman on any day, there are certain days and occasions that are very auspicious for her worship. They are given below.
Fridays are auspicious for the worship of Varahi Amman as well as many other Hindu goddesses.
Navratri, a nine-day festival for the worship of the nine forms of the Mother Goddess, including Varahi Amman, is also a good day for Varahi worship. This festival comes in the months of September or October.
The full moon day, or Purnima, is an auspicious day for worshipping many Hindu deities, including Varahi.
Varahi Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Varahi and falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).
Vijayadashami/ Dussehra is a festival that Hindus celebrate on the tenth day of Navratri. This day is very auspicious for the worship of Varahi Amman.
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