Devata

Devata (pl: devatas, meaning 'the gods') are smaller and more focused Devas (Deities) in Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. The term "devata" itself can also mean deva. They can be either male or female. Every human activity has its devata, its spiritual counterpart or aspect.

==Types== thumb|Manimekhala, a devata in Theravada Buddhism, depicted here in a Thai temple There are many kinds of devatas: vanadevatas (forest spirits, perhaps descendants of early nature-spirit cults), gramadevata (village gods), devatas of river crossings, caves, mountains, and so on. For example, in the Konkan region of India, Hindu devatas are often divided into five categories: Grama devatas or village deities who could be the founder deity such as Jathera or ancestral worship of Bali, and examples include Santoshi, Renuka, Aiyanar Sthana devatas or local deities, for example, those in certain places of pilgrimage like Rama in Nasik, Vithoba in Pandharpur, Krishna at Dwarka, Kali at Kolkata, Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, Devi Kanya Kumari at Kanyakumari Kula devatas or family deities, like Khanderai and Muniandi Ishta devatas or chosen deities Vastu devatas or Gruha devatas, a class of deities that preside over the house. Following are some of the important types of Dewatas in Sri Lankan Buddhism: Bandara Dewatawo are dewatas of trees, mountains, etc. Gambara Dewatawo are dewatas of the villages Loka Dewatawo are dewatas of planets