Periyāchī

Periyachi (Tamil: பெரியாச்சி, IAST: ), also called Pechi Amman, is a ferocious aspect of Parvati in Hinduism. She is also known as Periyachi Amman (Amman meaning "mother") and sometimes called as Periyachi Kali Amman as she is associated with the goddess Kali, Related to Kateri Amman.According to some accounts, the deity is a Guardian form of the Mother Goddess, who is prayed to in order to prevent misfortune during childbirth. Periyachi is said to be the protector of children, and is associated with childbirth and pregnancy, and is a deity revered in Singapore, The Caribbean, Malaysia and Réunion Island.

==Legend== There was once a Pandya king named Vallalarajan Raja who evilly tormented his subjects. It was said that if his child touched the earth then this act would bring an end to the king. When the queen went into labour, the king could not find a mid-wife. He had to choose a woman named Periyachi. This stern woman successfully completed the delivery of the child and held it up so that it did not touch the earth. The king wanted to kill the newborn, in the intent to preserve his own life. The king did not know that Periyachi was the goddess Adi Parashakti, and so he was surprised when she took on her true form. Using her multiple arms, she trampled the king under her foot. Then, she killed the king using her trident. At the same time, the queen also wanted to kill the baby, as she considered the child the death of her king, but Periyachi killed the queen, ripped out her stomach and ate her intestines, and saved the baby. Therefore, Periyachi was known as the protector of babies and expectant mothers. The baby is said to have grown up under Periyachi's care and later became the Pandya king, He later built many temples and shrines for Periyachi Amman.