Kondathukaliamman Temple, Perumanallur, Tirupur
Kondathukaliamman
Temple Perumanallur is 1000 year old temple historically called as
Perumpazhanam. The presiding deity of this temple is Kondathu Kaliyamman (Kundathamman)
and Kondathukaliamman. A rare depiction, left to the shrine of the Goddess
showing Muthukumaran holding his sword piercing his neck is an exclusive
feature of the temple not to be seen in any other temple. 11 day Kundam
festival in Panguni (March-April) is grandly celebrated in the temple.
Legends
Once,
people began to indulge in sinful and arrogant activities, forgetting God
totally. The righteous shrunk while the wicked grew in numbers. Furious
Shiva caused sand rain threatening total destruction of earth. Some
Shiva devotees prayed to Mother Parvathi to pardon the sinners and turn them
good. Mother Parvathi pleaded with Lord Shiva for them which he
turned down.
To help
the people, Mother came down to earth and began a severe penance on Lord Shiva
sitting westward under a Vilwa tree in Perumpazhanam. Lord Shiva appeared
before Mother Parvathi and granted her wish. Mother Parvathi stayed in the
place in the name of Govardanambikai with Lord Shiva as
Uthamalingeswarar. Later, the temple was built by Chola kings.
The Temple
Sri Ammayappar
on Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, Lord Muruga holding weapons in his 12
hands with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Lord Vinayaka with his writing instrument
(Ezhuthani in Tamil) on his lower right hand facing west grace the devotees at
the entrance mandapam. Behind are shrines for planet Saturn,
Chandikeswara, Mother Durga & Dakshinamurthy in the corridor-prakara.
As
Mother performed penance facing west, Lord Shiva too graces in the temple
facing west. On his left, Mother graces with lotus flowers in hands
and a crown facing west. The brass frame around her has a lion at its top.
This ancient place was covered by green fields when Mother performed her
penance. Green fields in Tamil are called Pazhanam, hence was known as
Perum Pazhanam and Perum Pazhana Puri which in course of time changed as
Perumanallur.
One
Ponnambalakoothan belonging to the Chola region donated this land for renovating
the Vinayaka temple here. Remembering him, the place is also known as
Koothanur. Sri Sundaramurthy Nayanar and his friend Cheraman Perumal, a
staunch Shiva devotee worshipped the Lord here. As the temple was built by
kings Rajaraja Uthama Cholan and Uthama Chola Veeranarayanan, the Lord is named
Uthamalingeswarar.
Lord
Oordhvathandavamurthi, Arthanareeswarar, Veerabagu, Nambirajan with his wife
and scenes explaining the importance of Shivarathri are beautifully sculpted in
the pillars of the temple.
Temple Opening Time
·
Morning:
6.00 A.m. to 1.00 P.m.
·
Evening:
4.00 P.m. to 8.00 P.m.
Pooja Timings
Pooja Details
|
Timings
|
Kalasanthi
|
7.00 A.m.
|
Uchi Kaalam
|
12.00 Noon
|
Sayaratchai
|
6.00 P.m.
|
Special
Poojas are conducted on Monday and Friday.
Festivals
11 day Brahmotsavam
in Chithirai (April-May), Aani Thirumanjanam in June-July, Sani Peyarchi –
transition of planet Saturn once in two and half years, Navarathri in September
– October, Shivarathri in February – March and Tirukarthikai in November – December
are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
The
famous 'Fire Walking Ceremony' (Kundam) is held during March – April every
year. The kundam is 40 feet in length and lakhs visit the temple during this
ceremony. The annual car festival is celebrated during that festival with
grandeur. This temple attracts a large gathering from the surrounding places
all the time.
The
annual festival lasts for about a month. It starts with 'poochatuthal' which
marks the beginning of the festival period. About two weeks after that comes a
Monday when Amman is decorated in sandal armour (Santhana Kaapu). A day after
that Pongal is kept to honour the Goddess and ladies carry a sweet called 'Pachai
Maavu' to be presented to the Goddess.
The
famous Kundam takes place the next day (Thursday) followed by the car festival
the following day (Friday). On the next day, the Goddess starts on a week-long
visit to the surrounding areas in a muthu Pallakku or Pushpa Pallakku (caravan
of flowers). The people of the surrounding areas receive the Goddess with
prayer and offerings.
Then
finally she returns to the temple and the festival is complete. During the
festival, a lot of people visit the temple to offer their prayers. A lot of
temporary shops and others come up during this period synonymous with fairs in
India.
The
other festivals celebrated include Navarathri when the Amman poses in nine
forms, Chithirai Kani (Tamil New Year), Ambu Sevai (demonstration of Goddess
killing a demon), Adi Perukku, Pongal and other Hindu festivals. Kudu Muzhukku
or Kumbhabhishekam is performed once in 12 years. A midday free meal is
provided to the poor in accordance with the chief minister's free Annadhanam
project.
The
goddess is taken for a procession on a golden chariot, around the temple
premises every evening. There are two large temple cars which are taken for
procession during the annual festivities. The temple cars are usually used for
the procession during the festival times. A Golden armor or 'Kavacha' is also
being made for the Goddess.
Prayers
People
pray for child boon, progress in education and for removal of obstacles in
marriage talks. Devotees perform abishek and Vastra to Lord and Mother and
contribute for the renovation projects of the temple.
Contact
This
temple is administrated by The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments
Department, Tamilnadu.
Arulmigu
Kondathukaliamman Thirukoil,
Perumanallur
- 641 - 666
Tiruppur
District
Phone:
0421 - 2350522, 0421 - 2350544
Connectivity
By Road:
Perumanallur
is 15 km from Tirupur on the Tirupur – Erode bus route running through Gobichettipalayam.
The place can also be reached through bus Nos. 10, 26, 54, 26, and 43 from
Tirupur terminating at Kunnathur, Kanakkampalayam and Nambiyur.
All
buses from Tirupur to Kunnathur, Nambiyur Kanakkampalayam (Bus Nos. 10, 26, 54,
26 and 43) pass through Perumanallur. The place is 15 kms from Tirupur on
Erode, Salem route and 10 km from Avinashi.
By Train:
Nearest
Railway Station is Tiruppur Railway Station.
By Air:
Nearest
Airport is located at Coimbatore.
