Sunday, September 10, 2017

Chelliamman Temple, Kottayur, Thiruvarur

Chelliamman Temple, Kottayur, Thiruvarur
Chelliamman Temple is a Hindu Temple located in Kottayur Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is also called as Siddhi Vinayaka temple. Presiding Deities in this temple are Chelli Amman and Siddhi Vinayaka. Sthala Vriksham is Neem (Vembu in Tamil). Theertham is Shivakulam. The place cultivated oilseeds. Hence the name Kottayur. Also Vithanapuram as the seeds were sent for crushing oil. Vithai and Kottai mean seed in Tamil. Needamangalam Santhana Ramar, Yamunambal Chathiram, Alangudi Guru Bhagwan and Agastheeshwarar Temples are close by this Temple.
History
People in the place worshipped Lord Siddhi Vinayaka for prosperity and Chelliamman as the custodian of the village. A temple was built later. Many worshipped Chelli Amman as their Kuladevatha-family deity. As the temple began to decay, the villagers collected funds and built the temple. The temple for both is built following Lord Agastheeshwarar temple for model and design.
The Temple
Presiding Deities in this temple are Chelli Amman and Siddhi Vinayaka. Sthala Vriksham is Neem (Vembu in Tamil). Theertham is Shivakulam. The entrance is on the eastern side for the Siddhi Vinayaka temple. On the left side behind is the shrine for Kaman-Cupid-Manmatha. On the right is the shrine for Mari Amman. Siddhi Vinayaka is facing east. Chelli Amman is facing north from her shrine. The temple is said to be above 500 years old. The consecration of the temple was performed in 2014, February 9.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Tamil New Year day falling almost on 14th April, Fridays of Aadi month – July-August, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, new moon days, Masi Magam in February-March, Kaman Vizha – a festival for Cupid – and Vinayaka Chaturthi in August September are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Mother Chelliamman is worshipped as Kuladevatha by many families here. People pray to Lord Vinayaka for education and prosperity. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer food grains of 9 varieties (Navadhanya). During the Vaikasi festival, they take part in fire pit walking, carry milk pots, light Maa Vilakku, offer Kanji (porridge) to poor, and conduct special pujas for Lord Vinayaka.
Contact
Chelliamman - Siddhi Vinayaka Temple,
Kottayur Post, Valangaiman Taluk,
Thiruvarur District
Mobile: +91 94439 75740
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Needamangalam on the Thiruvarur – Thanjavur route, 22 Kms on the Kumbakonam – Mannargudi Road and 5 Kms far from Alangudi Guru Bhagwan Temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at Needamangalam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.