Story/Legend

According to the legend, Kondammai was a young girl who lived in the Kondakamberu hills, which is now known as the Kondakamberu reserve forest. She was a devoted and pious girl who always prayed to the gods for the welfare of her tribe. One day, she saw a group of men cutting down trees in the forest. She tried to stop them, but they did not listen to her. The angry Kondammai cursed them, and soon after, a severe drought struck the region. The men realized their mistake and sought forgiveness from Kondammai. She relented and prayed to the gods for rain, and soon after, it rained heavily, and the drought was over. The grateful tribe started worshipping her as the goddess of rain and protector.

Religious Aspect

Kondammai is considered a powerful deity among the Konda Dora tribe, and her worship is an essential part of their religious and cultural practices. She is believed to control the rain, and her blessings are sought for a good harvest. Her idols are usually placed in small shrines in the hills, and offerings like rice, flowers, and coconuts are made to her.

Description

Kondammai is usually depicted as a young girl wearing a green saree and holding an umbrella in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other. Her image is also sometimes shown riding a tiger or a lion, which symbolizes her power and strength.

Cultural importance

The worship of Kondammai is an integral part of the Konda Dora culture and tradition, and it reflects their deep connection with nature and their environment. The tribe depends on agriculture and forest produce for their livelihood, and their lives are heavily influenced by the monsoon season. The worship of Kondammai ensures a good monsoon, which is essential for a good harvest.

Festivals

The Konda Dora tribe celebrates several festivals throughout the year, and the worship of Kondammai is an essential part of these celebrations. The most significant festival dedicated to Kondammai is the Kondammavu Festival, which is usually held during the months of August or September. The festival is marked by the performance of traditional dance and music, and the offerings made to the goddess.

Conclusion

Kondammai is a revered goddess among the Konda Dora tribe and is worshipped as the goddess of rain and the protector of the tribe. Her worship is an essential part of their religious and cultural practices and reflects their deep connection with nature and their environment.

References

• "Konda Dora Tribe of Andhra Pradesh." Tribal.nic.in, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, tribal.nic.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/KondaDora.pdf.
• Sivaramakrishnan, K. C. "Ethnobotanical knowledge of Konda Dora tribe of Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh." Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, vol. 4, no. 4, 2005, pp. 407-412.

FAQs

Q: What is the significance of Kondammai in the Konda Dora tribe? A: Kondammai is worshipped as the goddess of rain and protector of the tribe. The tribe depends on agriculture and forest produce for their livelihood.

Q: What is the story behind the worship of Kondammai? A: According to the legend, Kondammai was a young girl who lived in the Kondakamberu hills, which is now known as the Kondakamberu reserve forest. She was a devoted and pious girl who always prayed to the gods for the welfare of her tribe. When a group of men cut down trees in the forest, she cursed them, and soon after, a severe drought struck the region. The men sought forgiveness, and Kondammai prayed to the gods for rain, which fell heavily, and the drought was over. The grateful tribe started worshipping her as the goddess of rain and protector.

Q: How is Kondammai worshipped? A: Kondammai is worshipped through various rituals and ceremonies, which are performed by the community members during the monsoon season. These rituals are meant to appease the goddess and seek her blessings for a bountiful harvest. Her idols are usually placed in small shrines in the hills, and offerings like rice, flowers, and coconuts are made to her.

Q: What is the Kondammavu Festival? A: The Kondammavu Festival is the most significant festival dedicated to Kondammai, and it is usually held during the months of August or September. The festival is marked by the performance of traditional dance and music, and offerings are made to the goddess.

Q: What is the cultural importance of the worship of Kondammai? A: The worship of Kondammai is an integral part of the Konda Dora culture and tradition and reflects their deep connection with nature and their environment. The tribe depends on agriculture and forest produce for their livelihood, and their lives are heavily influenced by the monsoon season. The worship of Kondammai ensures a good monsoon, which is essential for a good harvest.