Mariamman's worship probably originated in pre-Vedic India. She is the main Tamil mother goddess predominant in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu. In the post-Vedic period Māri was associated with Hindu goddesses like Parvati[3] Kali and Durga[2] as well as with her North Indian counterpart Shitala Devi and Eastern Indian counterpart Manasa. Māri (/mɒrı/ /maari/) also known as Mariamman ( /mɒrı əˈmʌn/) and Mariaai both meaning "Mother Mari" spelt also Maariamma or simply Amman or Aatha ("mother") is the South Indian Hindu goddess of rain. She is the main South Indian mother goddess predominant in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Māri is closely associated with the Hindu goddesses Parvati[1] and Durga[2] as well as with her North Indian counterpart Shitala Devi.