Jatukam Ramathep refers to the paired guardian deities of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, made up of two divine beings, Thao Katukam and Thao Ramthep. Originally honored as high-ranking Hindu deities in various parts of Thailand, the pair took on a new role as Buddhism spread through the region, becoming divine guardians of the temple's great relic stupa, their names softened to the more auspicious form Thao Jatukam and their images placed at the doors leading to the stupa. Modern devotional worship of Jatukam Ramathep dates to 1987, when their images were invited to preside over the ceremony re-establishing the city horoscope of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and amulets bearing their likeness have since spread the cult nationwide.
Facts
Attestation
Veneration TodayActively venerated in a living tradition 1 HistoricityNot a historical person: a divine or other-than-human being 1 Function
Domain / FunctionProtection and guardianship 1 Belief
TheologyPolytheistic: many gods 1 Sources
1. The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend
Anthony S. Mercatante, revised and expanded by James R. Dow, Facts on File
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