Is it our Hindu (Specially South Indian) Tradition that each family have
a family deity called KULA DEIVAM. These Kula Deivams are considered
as the ANCESTRAL God..meaning our forefathers and relatives have been
worshiping that god for ages. It is the unshaken belief of most of the
Hindus that these family deities take care of our family and save from
all hardships and hindrances. In south u have what is called the "kula
deivam' or the ancestral god..meaning our forefathers and relatives have
been worshiping that god for ages..Every family has a guardian angel
called Kula Deivam (Kulam -- Lineage/Family, Deivam -- God). This in
most communities tend to be different from the Hindu Gods that are
generally worshiped in a common temple. A temple to a Kula deivam
constructed in one's ancestral village/town, will have it as the main
deity (Sanctum Sanctorum) while other Gods may also be present in the
periphery. The Kula deivam can be formless as well. People who have
migrated to other places still visit their ancestral village/town and
pay their respects by offerings (animal sacrifices(by some people only)
/donations /charity /breaking coconuts) and feasting (called pongal --
which is also the name of Thanksgiving festival and a dish made of
rice). Since in most villages, people of the same community tend to be
related, everyone will have the same Kula Daivam.People visit the temple
of their Kula Deivam every year and make special pujas from their
family. Mostly these Kula Deivams would be Marriamman Iyennar type, who
are considered the great deities in the villages. -
Source - https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071229162741AAljYka
