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