A kuladevata (), also known as a kuladaivaṃ (), is an ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism and Jainism.
Such a deity is often the object of one's devotion (bhakti), and is coaxed to watch over one's clan (kula), gotra, family, and children from misfortune. This is distinct from an ishta-devata (personal tutelar) and a grāmadevatā (village deities).
Male kuladevatas are sometimes referred to as a kuladeva, while their female counterparts are called a kuladevi.
Etymology
The word kuladevata is derived from two words: kula, meaning clan, and devata, meaning deity, referring to the ancestral deities that are worshipped by particular clans.
Veneration
The deity can be represented in a male or a female human, an animal, or even an object, like a holy stone. It is believed that rituals done at a kuladeva/kuladevi temple benefits all those genetically connected with the one performing the ritual. Kuladaivams of the Shaiva tradition are often considered to be forms of Shiva and Parvati, while those of the Vaishnava tradition are often regarded to be forms of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Hindu families make a pilgrimage to the kuladevata or kuladevi temple to obtain the blessing of the deity after an auspicious occasion, such as a wedding. Kuladevatas are worshipped in several sects of Hinduism and Jainism.
Due to the veneration of holy men (babas) in several regions of the subcontinent, several communities consider such men to be their kuladevatas in the place of a deity.
In western India, some communities regard local monarchs who belonged to their clan to be their kuladevata.
List
The following is a non-exhaustive list of the various kuladevatas revered in different regions of the Indian subcontinent:
Southern India
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana include: Venkateswara Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari Narasimha Mallanna Nimishamba
Karnataka
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Karnataka include:
Chennakeshava
Narasimha
Virupaksha
Nimishamba
Kerala
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Kerala include:
Padmanabhaswamy
Guruvayurappan
Bhadrakali
Rakteswari
Vettakkorumakan
Narayani
Lakshmi-Narayana
Narasimha
Ganesha
Ayyappan
Navadurga
Damodara
Shasta
Tamil Nadu
Some of the primary kuladevatas of Tamil Nadu include: Annanmar Thangal Shastha Kurathiamman Kamakshi Angalamman Kala Bhairavar Narasimha Bhadrakali Kallalagar Mariamman Thillai Kali Karuppu Sami Pavadairayan Renukamba Pachchaiamman Peradachiyamman Periyandichiyamman Madurai Veeran Muneeshvarar Ayyanar Murugan Veerabhadrar Periandavar Sudalaimadan Nondi Veeran Kateri Amman Sapta Kanni Sankara Narayana
Western India
Maharashtra
The kuladevatas worshipped in Maharashtra include: Ambabai Vajreshwari Mahalakshmi Tulja Bhavani Charbhuja Ekvira Jyotiba Jaganmata/Parvati/Durga Khandoba Jyotiba Khandoba Kedar Janani Lakshmi-Narasimha Mahadeva Mandhradevi Renuka Vasavi Mata Mothi Devi Shree Vyadeshwar Yamai Yogeshvari Manudevi Shakatambika Lakshmi
Konkan
The kuladevatas venerated in the Konkan region include:
Aryadurga
Bhagavati
Chamundeshwari
Damodar
Devaki-Krishna
Gajantalakshmi
Ekvira
Jaganmata
Kamakshi
Mallikarjuna
Maha Ganapathi Mahammaya
Mahalakshmi
Mahalasa
Mahamaya
Mahamaya Kalika
Mangeshi
Nageshi
Kali
Waghjai
Lakshmi-Narasimha
Navadurga
Ramnath
Ravalnath
Saptakoteshwar
Shantadurga
Sharwani Vetal
Vijayadurga
Vimleshwar
Vetala
Rameshwar
Mauli
Venkataraman
Gujarat and Rajasthan
The kuladevatas worshipped in Gujarat and Rajasthan include: Arasuri Ambaji Momai Mata Ashapura Mata Baba Mohan Rama Baba Ramdevji Suswani Mata Bhadrakali Bhatiji Maharaj Brahmani Mata Chamunda Mata Dada Jasraj Dev Narain Gajanan Mata Gogaji Vitthalanatha Harkor Harsidhhi Mata Hinglaj Mata Jeen Mata Mahakali Mata Mahalakshmi Mata Manasa Devi Modheswari Nagnechiya Maa Pabuji Rana Jashraj Sachiya Mata Sati Mata Tanot Mata Tulja Bhavani Vachra Dada Varahi Mata Veer Teja Vindhya Umiya Mata
Eastern India
Bihar
In Bihar, the following deities are worshipped as kuladevatas:
Kamakhya
Durga
Mahamaya
Bengal
In Bengal, the following deities are venerated as kuladevatas: