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.

[2] 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.

She may hold a Trishula (trident), a noose, a damaru drum with a snake, a sword and a vessel filled with blood.

[9] During the third month of pregnancy - among the Tamil rural Hindu diaspora, the ceremony of Punsavana ("foetus protection") is performed, along with prayers to Periyachi to guard the mother and child against the evil eye.

After that during the seventh month, the Simantonnyana ("bangle ceremony") is performed along with prayers to the goddess to ease labour pains and protect the mother and child during delivery.

On the 30th day after childbirth, in a ceremony at home, a black sari, non-vegetarian dishes and auspicious things are offered to the goddess.

[7] A festival called Periyachi Puja is held in the Tamil month of Aadi (Aati) to honour the goddess.

As part of her worship, an padaiyal offering, consisting of meat of the sacrificed animal as well as vegetarian dishes are presented to her and then given to devotees as prasadam.

[12] During the period of the festival Thimithi, scenes from epic Mahabharata are enacted by the devotees and drama troupes.

The prayer session is held to request her blessings upon the devotees and that no unpleasant incidents should happen during the festival.