Ekavuri Amman Temple, Vallam, Thanjavur
Ekavuri Amman Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Vallam near Thanjavur. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Ambika.
Temple Speciality
Against the tradition of giving full lime fruit to
devotees after nivedhana to Goddess, only lime juice is offered to women
seeking child boon as Prasadam.
Legends
Demon Thanjakasura had the boon that he could be killed
only by a woman. He began to harass the Devas and captured their
kingdom. They went to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord
Shiva sent Ambica to destroy the demon. He took many forms to face
Ambica’s challenge and that of a buffalo in the end but was killed by Mother’s
trident. As the fury of Ambica did not quench even after killing the
demon, the Devas again appealed to Lord Shiva to protect them from the fury of
Ambica. As commanded by the Lord, Gowri, as she was addressed by the
Lord, shed her fury and became calm and merciful.
King Karikala Chola built this temple and named the
deity as Hey Gowri – Ekavuri Amman as addressed by Lord Shiva. Later
King Vallan came to power and the place came to be known as Vallan and the
Mother as Vallathukali.
History
The earliest temple at the site is believed to have been
constructed by Karikala
Chola. According to tradition,
Chola kings prayed to Ambika at the temple before embarking on their military
campaigns.
Greatness of Temple
Against the tradition of giving full lime fruit to
devotees after nivedhana to Goddess, only lime juice is offered to women
seeking child boon as Prasad. They have to consume it in the temple
itself. It is believed that their boon will be surely granted. The
serpent planets Rahu and Ketu are on both side of Ambica believed to be under
the control of the Goddess.
Ambica was worshipped by the Chola Kings who had
Thanjavur as their capital. She was their family and protection
deity. Before going to a war, they would pray to this
Ambica. Ambica is also known as Makali, Kaithalapoosal Nangai,
Vallathu Pattikai, Kalapidari and Ekaveeri.
The Temple
Mother Ambica graces in the temple with two heads
sitting on a lotus shaped Peeta. One face is ferocious, with long and
sharp teeth showing her destructive side against the demons. The
other above is calm, smiling and all graceful protecting the devotees and
righteous from evils. The Mother has different weapons in her eight
hands and also a parrot representing Mother Parvathi. Sri Chakra,
being an important form of Shakti worship, is installed under the feet of
Mother.
Shrines:
There are shrines for Varahi, Prathyankira, Lord Muruga,
guardian deities as Sangiliathan, Ladasannasi,
Vellayammal, Madurai Veeran with Bommi, Karuppusamy, Ekambaram,
Pattavaraya and Shiva Linga and Sapthamadhas.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
continuously.
Festivals
Last Friday of Aadi month and Aadi Perukku
(July-August), New Moon and Full Moon days are celebrated in the temple.
Special pujas are performed on new moon, full moon days
with Homas. Special pujas are performed on Chitra Poornima day in
April-May. On the last Friday in Aadi month (July-August), devotees
walk on fire pit, carry Kavadis and milk pots. They offer their
prayer commitment by boring their cheeks on both sides called Alagu Kuthu.
Prayers
Women afflicted by Kalathra dosha or Naga dosha
(Kalathra dosha is a planetary affliction adverse to the longevity of
wife. Kalasarpa dosha occurs in cases where planets in a horoscope
are captured in between the two serpent plants occupying the ends).
The temple assumes importance as a remedial place for
those undergoing such difficulties. Women offer turmeric to Goddess for relief
which is given back as Prasad to them. They use it in baths in the
faith that they will be married early.
Women offer buffalo calf to Ambica for their husbands
who are ill. It is to be noted that buffalo is the vehicle of Yama
the Lord of death. This worship will prevent Yama from entering
these houses, it is believed.
Seeking child boon and for relief from Kalathra dosha,
Nagasarpa dosha and for early wedding, women devotees pray to the Mother.
Contact
Sri Ekavuri Amman Temple,
Vallam, Thanjavur district
Phone: +91 94435 86453,
98437 36037
Connectivity
Vallam is 38 km from Trichy on the Thanjavur road and 12
km from Thanjavur. The temple is 2 km away from the bus stop. Auto facility is
available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thanjavur & Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.
