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Somalamma

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Soma (Sanskrit: सोम), or Haoma (Avestan), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the later Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, which contains many hymns praising its energizing qualities. In the Avesta, Haoma has an entire Yasht dedicated to it.

In the Vedas, Soma is portrayed as sacred and as a god (deva). The god, the drink and the plant probably referred to the same entity, or at least the differentiation was ambiguous. In this aspect, Soma is similar to the Greek ambrosia (cognate to amrita); it is what the gods drink, and what made them deities. Indra and Agni are portrayed as consuming Soma in copious quantities. The consumption of Soma by human beings was probably under the belief that it bestowed divine qualities on them.

The Goddess Somalamma protects the soma. The Goddess gives soma to her devotees to relieve them from their health and mental problems. The goddess Somalamma temples are mainly governed by the Goud communities. Every year, there is a gathering of many of her devotees in various temples in Andhra Pradesh.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renuka


Hindu goddesses