Fever Goddesses - Healing Mothers of Bengaluru

Before the rise of medical sciences, disease was known by its symptoms, commonly, fever or 'jwara'. Bengaluru continues to balance allopathy with centuries-old faiths and rituals.

Gali Anjaneya Temple, Bengaluru, Kushal P K, 2021, From the collection of: Major General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum
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Survey of the boundaries of Purgunna of Bangalore, James Ross, Original Source: British Library
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Manual Sanitation Workers cleaning a cesspit, C S Sharada Prasad, From the collection of: Major General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum
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Unveil Lifting the Urban Veil: Fevers, Typhoid & Sanitation in Bengaluru, exhibit showcasing research by the St John's National Academy of Health Sciences in collaboration with University of Oxford’s Typhoidland Project. Our galleries, uncover the faith of Fever Goddesses, predating the discovery of typhoid. We then study Typhoid in Colonial Bangalore, and how it shaped the city's development. Finally, we explore the grave conditions of Sanitation Workers, who protect communities from disease.

Gali Anjaneya Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

In Urban Bengaluru, while allopathy and modern medicine has been accepted, faith-based healing is a major recourse for the local people in the city.

Bisillu Maramma Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Villages to the City

Before the discovery of infectious diseases like typhoid, fever goddesses emerged over centuries of faith healing and practices in the South Asian cultures.  

These beliefs have developed through iconography, folklore and popular culture, overlapping the sacred over the secular.

Bisillu Maramma Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

These goddesses developed from Grama Devate or patron village deities that guarded villages from evil spirits through illness and misfortune.

Bisillu Maramma Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

These primordial deities have come to be perceived as protective maternal figures  or 'Amma' for Urban Bangalore evolving from its surrounding villages. These deities are believed to punish wrongdoers and safeguard worshippers from illness and ill luck.

Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

The Temples

Fever goddess temples prevail amidst a busy urban space, occupying an important position, where the sacred and the mundane are deeply entangled.

Worshippers outside Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Sacred Spaces in the Urban Domain

Most temples were built to mark significant locations, often near water bodies, sacred trees and bazaars, traditionally holding great importance to local families. These temples have patrons from all sections of society and are visited by communities of diverse backgrounds.

Artistic Rendition of Basavangudi Grid Map by Ajaibghar Culttural TechnologyMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Fever Goddess Temples in Bengaluru District

This map of urban Bengaluru as of 2013 marks the multiple locations of prominent temples and multiple temple clusters just within the central Bengaluru area alone. These temples are predominantly well maintained and visited regularly.

Bisillu Maramma Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Perpetuity of Fever Goddesses

The presence of the goddess is constant through one's life, particularly women, symbolised by various protective rituals for infants, unmarried women, newlywed couples, expectant mothers and those suffering from illness. They are also recognised a fertility goddesses as well.

Bisillu Maaramma Quadrangle in the Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Offerings and Rituals

Each temple has different forms of offerings specific to the fever goddess and the associated diseases. In the Annamma Devi Temple, 'Bisillu Maaramma'  (or 'Fever Goddess Mother') is given offerings in the quadrangle pit in the external courtyard of the temple.

Taithas or String Bracelets given at Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Taithas

Another part of worship are ritualistic objects, such as charm bracelets, blessed at the temples.  String bracelets, known locally as 'Taithas', are tied on the wrist at these temples as a symbol of the deity's protection over the person. 

Offerings given in Fever Goddess Temples by Sakshi Saldanha and Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Offerings to Appease Her Temper

The offerings for the goddesses are predominantly affordable food items that are associated with treatment of fevers. Milk, curd, Neem (Indian Lilac), Tulsi (Holy Basil), lemons, bananas and coconuts are cooling agents to symbolically cool the anger of the goddess as well.

Bisillu Maramma Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

A Vibrant 'Market' Economy

Fever goddess worship has fostered  flourishing market places around these temples over centuries, from offerings to daily groceries. These markets support various forms of employment, specifically souvenir shops and local produce.

Inner Entrance of Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

The Origin of Annamma Devi Temple

The Annamma Devi Temple was built by the chieftan Hanumantha Nayaka under the reign of Immadi Gowda of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple is one of the most prominent fever goddess temples, receiving many worshippers daily.

Outer Compound of Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

The Annamma Devi Temple also houses ancient idols unearthed by chieftain Nayaka during the digging and construction of the neighbouring Dharmambudhi Tank (present day Majestic Bus Station). Over time, Annamma Devi has become the patron deity of Bengaluru.

Annamma Devi Temple Pillar, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Patronage

The maintenance of these temples are a community effort. The funds required to restore old sculptures, renovate areas of the temples, and add new structures are raised by local individuals or associations.

Plague Maramma (Opp Gali Anjaneya)Major General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

In Times of Need: Outbreaks & Epidemics

These Goddesses have provided refuge through centuries of disease outbreaks and epidemics. While the fever goddess, Annamma, emerged as a village deity, Maaramma emerged as a response to plague and influenza outbreaks in the century.

Offerings Shop outside Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

The Covid-19 Pandemic

While worshippers sought protection in the fever goddess temples, like Plague Maaramma temple, during the Coronavirus Pandemic, this is not a new occurrence. Maaramma has emerged as a prominent and ubiquitous fever goddess.

Brass Sculpture of Jwarasura, the Fever Demon Sourced from the Wellcome TrustMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Jwarasura

Another figure in the discourse of pathogenic divinity is the Fever Demon, Jwarasura. Thought to have formed from a drop of sweat from Lord Shiva’s brow, punished by a vengeful Lord Vishnu, he was saved by Lord Brahma. Sculptures often show him with three heads, hands and legs.

Inner Entrance Arch of Annamma Devi Temple, Bengaluru (2022) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Fever Goddess folk song
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This folk song narrates stories of the village deity Maaramma. Calling her Maarakka or Maaramma, it tells of village elders appeasing her with offerings for which she is joyful. She exuberantly dances with abandon, subduing all the diseases, particularly of children.

An Interpretive Painting of Jwarasura, the Fever Demon (2022) by Vijay JoshiMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Folk Song of Jwarasura
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This folk song narrates the story of Jwarasura. After his genesis, even the gods feared the demon. To make sure the fever demon overwhelmed other beings, Shiva overpowered him and disseminated the symptoms so that no one being would suffer the effects of Jwara alone.

Gali Anjaneya Temple, Bengaluru (2021) by Kushal P KMajor General S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum

Faith and Science journey together.

While modern medicine is accepted, faith-based healing is also major recourse for the local people in the city.

Entire communities continue to have a deep-rooted connection to Fever Goddess, the shrines and temples, transcending religious, caste and class lines.

Credits: Story

Exhibition was organised by the Health & Humanities Division of St Johns National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru in collaboration with the University of Oxford Typhoidland Project, UK. 
Script and Curation:  Dr Manjulika Vaz, Radhika Hegde, Dr Vagishwari, Sakshi Saldhana, Claas Kirchhelle, Samantha Vanderslott.
Exhibition Compilation: Radhika Hegde, Sakshi Saldhana
Photography and Photo Editing: Kushal PK
Artwork: Saachi Narayan, Vijay Joshi
Vocal Artist: Sanskrithi Kesiraju
Researchers: Anisha Ananthpukar, Archana Rangaswamaiah , Dr Satyanath, Anuroop Tantry. 
Link to Typhoid Landhttps://typhoidland.org/
Link to experience at gather.town: https://app.gather.town/app/nH0KLhdfRaljHvqr/jwara

Credits: All media
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