Masoba

Masoba (spelt Mhasoba in Maharashtra) is one of the folk guardian deities, a form of Lord Shiva,^[1] ^[2] ^[3] worshipped in some parts of India. His temples are found mainly in States of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Masoba is considered to be God of Spirit and temples are generally found near Smashan (cemeteries) or outside the village.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Many communities like ,^[5] Joshis,^[5] ,^[6] Mangs,^[7] Chamars^[7] and Dhangars^[7] worship Masoba and at times offer sacrifice of he-goats. They believe that Masoba is their guardian deity and protects them from evil spirits. However, it is the Dalit community, which mainly worship Masoba. There are many places, where annually a religious rally (Yatra) called Masoba Yatra is held, when the deity is carried in Palkhi (palanquin).^[8]

References[]

^ Mhasoba is often connected with an ancient form of Shiva, who may have been a pre-Hindu deity adopted by Hindu culture. Today, the Mhasoba cult of Maharashtra worships Mhasoba along with his wife, Jogubai (an avatar of Durga). These temples are usually headed by non-Brahmin priests.
^ [1]According to Saili Palande Datar, Indologist and researcher with Pune-based Samvidya Institute of Cultural Studies, the deity has now been incorporated with the pantheon of village deities (Gram Daivata).Mythical stories are, many times, composed to justify assimilation of communities worshipping different deities in greater Hindu pantheon, Datar said. “Sometimes, folk or regional deities are also identified as aspects of Shaiva, Shakti or Vaishnav pantheon,” she said.
^ [2]
^ Masoba' spirit God (Maise/Mahisha) popular in Maharashtra may be equivalent of or derived from the Toda culture.
^ ^a ^b ^c [3] People of India: Maharashtra, Volume 2 By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India.
^ ^a ^b [4] Glimpses into Telugu folklore by Bi Rāmarāju, 1991
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d [5] Weaker sections in Indian villages, Volume 2 by Ajit K. Danda, 1993.
^ Festival:Previously the event was celebrated as \'Masoba yatra\' in Sulud

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[1] Mhasoba is often connected with an ancient form of Shiva, who may have been a pre-Hindu deity adopted by Hindu culture. Today, the Mhasoba cult of Maharashtra worships Mhasoba along with his wife, Jogubai (an avatar of Durga). These temples are usually headed by non-Brahmin priests.

[2] [1]According to Saili Palande Datar, Indologist and researcher with Pune-based Samvidya Institute of Cultural Studies, the deity has now been incorporated with the pantheon of village deities (Gram Daivata).Mythical stories are, many times, composed to justify assimilation of communities worshipping different deities in greater Hindu pantheon, Datar said. “Sometimes, folk or regional deities are also identified as aspects of Shaiva, Shakti or Vaishnav pantheon,” she said.

[3] [2]

[4] Masoba' spirit God (Maise/Mahisha) popular in Maharashtra may be equivalent of or derived from the Toda culture.

[a-5] [3] People of India: Maharashtra, Volume 2 By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India.

[b-6] [4] Glimpses into Telugu folklore by Bi Rāmarāju, 1991

[c-7] [5] Weaker sections in Indian villages, Volume 2 by Ajit K. Danda, 1993.

[8] Festival:Previously the event was celebrated as \'Masoba yatra\' in Sulud

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