Maisamma


Maisamma, also known as Mesai and additionally spelt Mesko, Amma in Telugu or Aai in Marathi is a Hindu folk goddess. She is mainly worshipped as a South Indian mother goddess, predominantly in the rural areas of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
She is believed to protect the cattle. Among the cattle sheds, a niche is white-washed and decorated with "Kukuma" and called "Maisamma Goodu". In many places Katta-Maisamma is also worshipped as a goddess of water and is worshipped in the form of a small stone on the tank bund. People believe that she will ensure that the tank is full.
She is believed to be the daughter of Shiva and Parvati.
As per the place she is worshipped, she is called in different names:
  1. Katta Maisamma
  2. Nalla Maisamma
  3. Tella Maisamma
  4. Bangaaru Maisamma
  5. Vendi Maisamma
  6. Panta Maisamma
Thus, the crops would flourish due to her blessings.
Her worship is mainly associated with curing diseases such as smallpox and chickenpox.