Thursday, October 1, 2015

Gowmariamman Temple, Theni

Gowmariamman Temple, Theni
The Gowmariamman Temple is situated in Veerapandi village. This temple was constructed in the 14th century by the Pandya king, Veerapandi. It is believed that after praying to lords Gowmariamman and Kanneeswaramudaiyar, the king got his eye sight back, hence he built this temple. An eight day long festival is celebrated in this temple during the Tamil month of Chithirai in April and May.
This town is situated at 80 km west of the Madurai and 27 km from Theni. The famous Mullai River flows through this town. Cumbum is 27 km from Theni. Bus facilities are available. The temple is close to Cumbum bus stand. Goddess Gowmariamman is the main deity of this village. This goddess has an ancient history. This goddess is a 'Swayambu' (naturally grown deity) fulfilling prayers of her devotees. The deity is famous forwarding off ailments of eye diseases, measles and other infection diseases.

Greatness of the Temple
Ambica Goumari Amman appears with Udukkai, sword, gadkam and skull in her hands.  Swayambu Ambica is before this idol.  Swayambu is dressed as Ambica.  The first puja is dedicated to Swayambu and to idol Ambica next.  Darshan of Swayambu Ambica is available only during abishekam.  As Ambica blesses the devotees from their ailments, she is praised as Maruthuvachi, meaning a lady doctor.  It is the staunch belief of the people that any disease prolonged or terminally threatening would disappear with the grace of Ambica.  Women seeking child boon pray with bangles. 


There is a stone post opposite the shrine which is regarded as the Lord (husband) of Ambica.  During the Chithirai festival a neem tree post with three branches is placed near Ambica with all music rituals. They shift it then near the stone post.  Women praying for the safety and longevity of their Mangal Sutras pray near the stone post with turmeric abishekam and offer jasmine and lime fruit garlands.
To emphasize the philosophy that Shiva and Shakti are but one, and also as Mariamman represents Shakti, She is dressed as Lord Shiva with a forehead eye and crescent moon, Udukkai and trident in hands and clad in a tiger skin design cloth on the Shivrathri festival day.  According to Shiva puja rules, 6 pujas are performed on Shivrathri.  This darshan is rarely missed by devotees of the place.


Ambica is under four hooded serpent.  She comes in procession around the prakara in a palanquin carried by women only.  The 21 day Chithirai festival is very grandly celebrated in the temple.  Devotees offer their prayers by walking on the fire pit and carrying fire pots
Legend
Residents of this region were affected by serious diseases and were at a loss not knowing what to do.  A woman came to this place, offered turmeric and neem leaves – manjal and veppilai in Tamil.  They were cured and happy.  They asked the woman who she was. 
She appeared in Her true divine form as Ambica.  She also chose this place to stay as wished by the devotees as a Swayambu.  The temple was built around the Swayambu.  Later a full Mariamman idol also was installed behind the Swayambu.  The temple was further extended. 
History
The history of temple depicts that the King Veerapandiya prayed the God to bless him to regain the eyesight which had lost due to his ill fate.  As he prayed, the God appeared in his dream and said that to go through the bank of the river Vaigai to the forest named Nimba Aranyam where he can worship and pray Goddess Gowmari and regain the lost eyesight. As such he prayed the Goddess Gowmari and regained the sight of one eye and prayed the God Arulmigu Kanneeswaramudaiyar, regained the sight of another eye.
Poojas       
Kalasandhi: 9.00A.M
Sayaraitchai: 7.00A.M  
Festival
The Chithrai festival commences on the night of Shivrathri and goes on for 7 days. Raising “Agni Chatti”, offering Maavizhakku and “Pookuzhi Irangudhal” for the Goddess Gowmariamman is the main part of the worship
Chithirai Festival
Every year Annual festival is being celebrated during the month of Chithirai (English month May). The  first  Tuesday  of  Chithrai  month  the installation  of  “Holy Post”  is  being  performed  to  denote  the commencement  of  festival.
From that day onwards special Poojas are being performed for 21days. From the  fourth  Tuesday  of  chittrai  month  the  Annual  festival  will  be celebrated for eight days.
From  the  fourth  day  of  the  festival  i.e.,  from  Friday  the  temple car  with  Goddess  Gowmari  is being  drawn  in  procession  for  four days.
During the time of festival days everyday thousands and thousands of devotees are gathering, worshipping and receiving the blessings of the Gowmariamman.
Temple Car festival is most popular during Chithirai Thiruvizha. Amman will give Dharshan to devotees in different appearances with flowers, fruits, etc. This festival is most popular in southern Tamil Nadu. Government arranges 24 hours bus services from all southern cities and towns of Tamil Nadu.
Agni Chatti
Devotees carry fire pots, that is clay pots filled with pieces of burning coal in their plain palms and walk around the temple
Maavizhakku  
“Dough Lamp” is prepared by mixing Rice powder with jiggery, making the dough in the shape of a lamp. This is filled up with ghee and the dough lamp is lighted. Finally on the 7th day – “Pookuzhi Irangudhal” takes place – A pit is dug on the ground and is filled up with burning pieces of coal. People will see to that the coal pieces keep on burning throughout the night. Devotees will walk and pass through this pit enchanting the name of the goddess loudly.
Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Annadhanam
Annadhanam scheme is implemented in this temple from 23-3-2002. In this scheme free mid – day meals are supplied for 100 devotees daily. Therefore donations are expected from the philanthropists for caring out the welfare Scheme Donations may kindly be sent to the following address given below.                        
Contact
The Executive Officer,
Sri Goumari Amman Temple,
Cumbum-625 516, Theni district.
Mob: +91- 99441 16258, 97893 42921.
Phone:-04565-246242     
Connectivity
Near by Bus Stand: Theni & Cumbum
Near By Railway Station: Theni, Madurai
Near By Airport: Madurai