A particular god worshipped in our lineage for generations is referred to as "Kula Devata". Srirangam Ranaganatha is the kula devata of Ikshvaku Family, the dynasty in which Lord Rama was born.
Usually, Kula Devata can be either a male or a female god and is back in our native village. Most families have a single deity while some the have multiple deities as Kula Devatas.
Due migration from villages and passing away of elders at an early age, families loose connections with their native villages and kula devata. During difficult times they consult astrologers who point them to go back and worship their kula devata for peace, prosperity and good health.
When a women gets married they start to worship the Kula Devata in their in-laws place thereby taking the tradition to their next generation.
While many of us may have moved from our native villages and forgotten the responsibility towards those deities. This is similar to the responsibility we have towards elders in the family. Those of us who know our Kula Devata, should make it a point to visit and take their blessings at least once a year and definitely before major life events such as weddings, child birth, upananayam, etc.
Also, every 12 years when temple consecration is held all natives should make it a point to fund the expenses and reconnect with deity and people of the village. Let’s not give up on our ancestry, identity and ensure we pass it on to next generation.
My mother maintains a file on all temples and has prepared a calendar of worship and marked down temples where the family has the responsibility to offer prayers on select auspicious days. We have the responsibility to offer prayers on the 3th and 4th Friday in Aadi (Kataka masam) at the Shiva temple at Kunniyur and 3rd and 4th Friday in Thai (Makara Masam) at Kamakshi temple, Kunniyur.
See a short video that documents our native village (Kunniyur, Thiruvarur District), native deity (Anandeshwara and Ambiramavalli) and kula devata (Kamakshi Amman).
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