The seventeenth deity that we worship is Maha Kali Ammaa or Mariammaa.

Since untold centuries, even long before villages sprang up, the people of South-India have been worshipping the Goddess Kali in the form of MARIAMMAN. Mariamman embodies the sacred energies and evolutionary forces of Mother Earth. She is related to the Kundalini fire raising up from the Muladhara Chakra. However, She is infinitely more than just that. Great saints worship her as an integral aspect of ADI PARA SHAKTI, the Matrix and Mother of the entire cosmic manifestation... For Her truly surrendered devotees, She shatters all their attachments and preconceived notions of reality.

We now stand before our Big Mother, Kali Ammaa, Dark Mother, Mariamman, Kottavei, Who is before creation and kala, time itself. O Creator and distroyer of universes, give us your fearlessness, your mystical powers, your mercy and your cures. Ammaa may you bless us with the gift of devotion to your Lotus feet and the strength to help your children in this world. Always lead us down the path of righteousness until the day you are ready to receive us from this material world. In your name we pray Maha Kali.

Maa Maha Kali Aarti- (Hindi)

Prema Sahitha nita karun aarthi,
Maha kali maiya ki,
Arid ala daranii, mangala bharani,
Dukh hrini, sukhadaiyaa ki. 1

Daily I will Worship with love,
The great mother Kali,
Who tears her enemies to pieces,
Who bestows blessings on her devotees,
Who is the destroyer of sorrow,
And creator of pleasure.

Tumahi aagama bhava bharne vali,
Tumahi jagatha laya karne vali,
Thumahe kashta lagee bhatana para.
Aakara turata sahaiyya ki. 2

You are the one who populates the universe,
You are the one who dissolves the universe,
You are the one who helps fast,
Your devotees in distress.

Tumhin prabala ho hari ki Shakthi,
Rudra bhava shankara ki bhakthi,
Thumhin janani patavaraa bani,
Ika sevaka Sundara naiyaa kii. 3

You are indomitable power of Hari,
You are the devotion to the angry shankara,
And you are mother the pedal that steers,
The boat of life of this devotee Sundara.