Muthu Mariamman Temple, Narthamalai
The Mariamman koil of Narttamalai is one of the
important temples of the district. The car festival in March – April attracts a
large concourse of pilgrims and sightseers from far and near. The alagu kuthuthal,
sharp needles jabbed into the body and other modes of self torture form some of
the vows still performed here on this occasion. This annual festival is
preceded by what is known as poochchorial (‘showering with flowers’) or the
covering of the Goddess with flowers, for which flowers come to the temple from
all over the district.
The hill was earlier known as Naradar Malai as Sage
Naradha performed penance here which later changed as Narthamalai. This is a
famous shrine for those seeking child boons and a total cure from the attack of
small pox. These two features draw huge number of devotees to the temple.
Those seeking child boon make cradles from sugarcane
stems and tie in the temple. They carry Agni Kaavadi for relief from serious
illness and pray for total cure from small pox.
Besides usual abishek and pujas to Mother Muthu Mari
Amman, people light Maa Vilakku made of a paste of rice flour and ghee, tying
cradles made of sugarcane stems, carry birds Kaavadi, lighting deepas and offer
sari to mother. Some undertake feeding – Annadhana.
Temple's Speciality
A Yantra with Lord Muruga influence sculpted in stone
and fixed on the northern wall of Ambica Shrine is considered very powerful and
blessing. Devarishi Naradha performed penance in this place. The hill has a wealth
of herbal plants.
Temple History
The Amman idol in the temple is believed to have been
found at a place named Keelkurichi 4 miles far from Narthamalai in a field and
brought here by a priest in the place. A small temple was built
then. Later, one Malayammal from the Thiruvannamalai Zamin extended this
temple with her own funds and celebrated festivals which are continued
now.
Legends
A village called Keezhakkurichi is 4 km away from
Narthamalai. A priest living in this village while walking through a narrow
path in the middle of the farm everyday stepped on something in a particular
spot and he stumbled and fell down. So, with the help of the people working in
the farm, he dug in the ground and unearthed a beautiful Amman idol.
Immediately, he heard a divine voice. It instructed him to build a temple for
the idol in the foothills near the temple for Lord Shiva.
It said that thus the people of the village will be
saved from disease and infirmities. Accordingly the people have built a small
temple and placed the idol there. The villagers say that since the people have
been living healthy and resistant to diseases like small pox, the Amman is
called as Muthu Mari. The villagers say that the Muthu Mariamman residing in
Narthamalai became famous because of Malaiammal. Malaiammal was born in a
Zamindar family in Vetta Valam, a district near Thiruvannamalai.
When Malaiammal was young, she was affected severely by
small pox. The Zamindar brought Malaiammal to the temple and left her at its
entrance and went away. On hearing the cries of the little girl, the Amman
blessed the girl and cured her from the disease. Malaiammal had spent her
entire life in the temple, cleaning the shrine and meditating before the Amman.
Muthu Mariamman blessed and glorified Malaiammal.
Malayammal gave ‘Arul Vaakku’ (prediction the future) to
the devotees who came there with sufferings and worries and her Vaakku became
true. Many devotees came from different places to worship Muthu Mariamman and
to get ‘Arul Vaakku’ from Malaiammal. Malaiammal extended the temple premises.
Soon, it became a famous temple. The Malaiammal Sannidhi is near the
temple. Every year, a group of people from Vetta Valam worship Malaiammal here
by offering Pooja and ‘Bali’.
Prominence of the shrine
The Muthu Mariamman temple is approximately 300 years
old. The temple stands magnificently with a five storeyed Raja Gopuram facing
the East. If we cross the Maha Mandapam and the Artha Mandapam we can reach the
Garbagriha and see the Amman who is seated in a calm and composed manner. She
has four hands, each having a Kadgam, Kabaalam, Damarugam and Shakthi Hastam.
In this temple, in the Muthu Mariamman Sannidhi, there is a Murugan yendiram
made of stone on the right side wall.
The devotees say that it has immense power. Since the
Goddess has a Shakthi Hastham which is generally possessed by Lord Muruga, the
devotees also worship by taking the ‘Kaavadi’ for the Goddess.
Greatness of Temple
Narthamalai is surrounded by other hills, Melamalai,
Kottai Malai, Parayar Malai, Uvakkan Malai, Aalurutti Malai, Pommadi Malai,
Mann Malai and Pon Malai, thus in the shape of Onkara. Every hill has a
story behind it. These hills are believed to be the bits that fell here
of the Sanjeevi mount carried by Sri Hanuman to save the lives of those dead
during the Rama-Ravana war. These are hills with a wealth of herbal
plants.
Prayers
Those seeking child boon make cradles from sugarcane
stems and tie in the temple. They carry Agni Kaavadi for relief from
serious illness and pray for total cure from small pox.
Besides usual abishek and pujas to Mother Muthu Mari
Amman, people light Maa Vilakku made of a paste of rice flour and ghee, tying
cradles made of sugarcane stems, carry birds Kaavadi, lighting deepas and offer
sari to mother. Some undertake feeding – Annadhana.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festival
10 day Panguni festival in March-April, the most
important among other festivals of the temple drawing crowds in lakhs: last
Friday of Aadi month in July-August, though a single day festival the devotee
crowd being huge: Vijayadasami in September-October; Tamil and English New Year
days, Deepavali, Pongal are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The devotee
crowd is huge on Tuesdays and Fridays usually.
Contact
Sri Muthu Mari Amman Temple,
Narthamalai, Pudukkottai district
Phone: +91 4322 221084
Mobile: 97869 65659
Connectivity
Narthamalai is on a branch road on the Tiruchi – Pudukkotai
highway. Buses are available from Pudukkottai. It is 18 km from Pudukkotai and
35 from Tiruchi.
Near By
Railway Station: Pudukkottai.
Near By
Airport: Tiruchi