Mariamman Temple – Samayapuram

                                                             Entrance to Temple.

There are many abodes for Mariamman in South India.  Mariamman temple situated at Samayapuram near Trichy is the most powerful one. The temple is surrounded by green fields. Devotees visit in large numbers every day.

It is believed that Mariamman cures all kinds of diseases. There is a separate accommodation for those who want to stay in the temple. Only treatment given is sprinkling of ‘Abhishekam Thirtham’ on patients. It is a practice in this temple to buy small replica of various parts of the body which needs to be cured and deposited in the Hundi. The replica is made of metals like steel and silver. Other offerings made are Mavilakku, a sweet dish made out of jaggery, rice floor and ghee with an oil lamp on the top. Salt is also offered to the Goddess.

The temple is considered to be 2000 thousand years old. According to legends, the present deity was at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Sri Rangam. The chief priest of the temple believed that the idol caused serious illness in him and ordered it to be moved out of the temple. The idol was moved out of Sri Rangam, later a passerby found the idol and built a temple called KANNANUR MARIAMMA TEMPLE.  King Vijayapura Chakkravarthi built the present form of the temple during 18^th century.

Mariamma undertakes fasting during Feb – Mar for 28 days. During this period no solid food is offered as Neivedhiyam, only liquids are offered.  During this period she is showered with flowers called ‘Poo Choridal’. Goddess resembles Chamundeshwari of Mysore.

There is a saying in Tamil “Samayapuram Mariathal samayathil kaappal”, meaning Samayapuram Mariamman will protect in time. Such is the faith of devotees.

There is an interesting story about the name Mariamma, how it came into being. We all know the story of Parasurama. In the story, Parasurama beheads Renuka and another woman who tries to protect Renuka. During resurrection, father swaps the heads by mistake. It is said that the two idols at Samayapuram  are Renuka Devi and her friend. If you notice, one idol has a big face and a small body, other idol has big body and small face. So they were referred as “MUGAM MARI AMMAN”. With the passage of time it became “MAHAM MAYI AMMAN”. This is according to the locals.

                

KERALA TEMPLE VISIT

After a gap of some four months, I went on a temple visit along with my wife. This time we went to GURUVAYUR in Kerala.We started on 12th Feb by Bangalore - Ernakulam Intercity Express, reaching Trissur at 1600 hours. It was a hassle free journey. Here I would like to mention,

the same train which left Bangalore on 13th Feb met with a serious accident at Karnataka - Tamilnadu border, some  ten passengers were killed and more than one hundred passengers injured. We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, and wish speedy recovery to those admitted into hospitals.

Visited Guruvayur Temple, the same day. It took some three hours to have Dharshan of SRI KRISHNA. Everyone knows about Guruvayur Temple and felt there is no need to explain it again.

                            All set for departure to Angadipuram

Following day, early morning we engaged a cab to a place called ANGADIPURAM, it is at a distance of some sixty Kms from Guruvayur.  Mr Kannan,  the cab driver on the way took us to a Shiva Temple within the city of Guruvayur. The temple looked beautiful in the early hours. It is called

SRI MAMMIYUR MAHADEVAN TEMPLE. It is learnt that the temple is around 1000 years old. As it is the practice in Kerala Temples, men are allowed inside the temples with dothies and without shirts and ladies with sarees.

                           At Sri Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple

It is believed that the pilgrims visiting Lord Guruvayurappan should visit this temple in order to earn full benefits of Lord Guruvayurappan. There is a staunch belief about this. We are happy that we will also reap full benefits of Lord Guruvayurappan. Our sincere thanks to Mr Kannan, our cab driver. There are shrines for Lords  Mahavishnu, Ganapathi, Murugan, Ayyappan, Brahmarakshsas, Serpant God and Bhagavathi Amman. It was a beautiful experience. In future any one visiting Guruvayur, please make it a point to visit Sri Mammiyur Mahadean Temple.

                       At the foot of Sree Thirumandhamkunnukunnu

We further proceeded to ANGADIPURAM, in Malapuram District, where a famous temple known as SREE THIRUMANDHAMKUNNU BHAGAVATHI DEVASOOM is located. It is quite a big temple constructed on a hillock with a majestic look. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. The history of the temple is as follows:

Once a king by name MANDHATHA of  Surya Dynasty ruled for a long period. He gave away the kingdom to his successor and meditated on Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and offered a boon. The king asked the Lord for an idol of Shiva to worship till his death. Lord Shiva gave him the most holy Shiva Linga of Kailash, which was worshiped by Goddess Parvathy and disappeared.

The king carried the Shivalinga on his head and started his downward journey from Kailash. He reached the hill now known as THIRUMANDHAMKUNNU. Here the king found all the wild animals were living in harmoney forgetting their enmity.  Trees and plants gave out some sweet smell. The place attracted the king. The king was tiered and started to feel the weight of the idol on his head. He placed the idol on the earth and it got struck to the earth.

Lord Shiva gifted the idol when Parvathy was away. When Parvathy returned  for worship Shivalinga was not there. She found out that Lord Shiva gifted it to the king Mandhatha,  and she wanted o bring back the idol. She entrusted this job to Bhadrakali.  Bhadrakali with a team of Boothas rushed to bring back the idol. They arrived at the other side of the hill of Thirumandhamkunnu. The brightness of the Shivalinga was so great, it dazzled their eyes. They could not climb  the hill. They started to attack the king with weapons. The followers of the king who were with him were unarmed. They plucked ATTANGA NUTS and attacked the Boothas. With the power of Lord Shiva the nuts turned into arrows. Bhadrakali and Boothas could not resist.

Bhadrakali expecting defeat, took her Viswaroopam. Seeing her form all the followers of king fell unconcious. The king embraced the Shivalinga. Bhadrakali wanted to take it by force. In the struggle the Shivalinga got split into two. A Jyothy arose from it. "THRIMOORTHIS",  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva along with Parvathy appeared on the spot.

Parvathy told the king that the idol is very close to her, but will not take it back against the wish of Lord Shiva. Living without is also not possible. So I will enter the Linga and remain here for ever. Bhadrakali who came here first also be installed here, all Poojas and festivals be performed. Saying so, Parvathy entered the idol. This spot is the present SREE MOOLASTHANAM. The Shivalingam is still in split condition and can be seen during Abhisheka.

As directed by Parvathy, Bhagavathy with Sapthamathrukal, Veerabhadran and Ganapathy were installed facing North. The place is called "MATHRUSALA". When Parvathy appeared infant Ganapathy was also with her. He is called BALAGANAPATHY here. Ganapathy finds a place in Sreemooalasthanam. Goddess Parvathy faces West and Shivalingam faces East. There are two doorways for Dharshan, one on the East and the other on the West. On either side of these doorways, there are two windows like openings, through these openings devotees can have Dharshan. Recently some modifications have been made to Dharshan procedures of the temple, according to that the Doorways are kept open for sometime after every pooja for the devotees to have Dharshan. 

Temple performs various Poojas, the most famous is MANGALYA POOJA.  Devotees from all over South India take part in the Pooja. This Mangalya Pooja is performed to Ganapathy at Sreemoolasthanam with Kali. Fruits, Appam, Ada and Payasams for the early marriage of Youth and Maidens. It is a staunch belief that Mangalya Pooja removes all the obstacles and a perfect alliance is obtained.

Three Mangalya Poojas one each year for THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS is OBLIGATORY, even if the marriage takes place during this period. The remaining Poojas to be completed without a break. This Pooja is performed normally on the First Friday in THULAM.

Almost all the devotees who visit this temple attend MANGALYA POOJA. Pooja conducted systematically and Prasadam distributed.

                At Bhagavathy Temple before Mangalya Pooja