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.