Kottai Mariamman Temple, Dharapuram, Tirupur
Kottai
Mariamman Temple is located in Dharapuram in Tirupur District of Tamilnadu. Mother
Parasakthi is considered as the mother of the entire world. She is manifested
in nine forms as 1. Vana Durga 2. Sulini Durga 3. Jada Vedha Durga 4. Jwala
Durga 5. Shanthi Durga 6. Sabari Durga 7. Deepa Durga 8. Asuri Durga 9. Lavana
Durga.
All the
above are the manifestation of mother Durga, though she has nine forms she is
one and the same. Such a powerful goddess mother Parasakthi has manifested
herself as ‘Mahamariamman’ in this temple she gives her blessings and boons to
all those who seek her.
Legends
A farmer
living in this region was a staunch Shakti devotee. He was rearing
cows. Keeping some quantity of milk for his family use, he used to give
the excess milk to children of the place. He could not get milk from one
cow. Suspecting that someone was stealing its milk, he closely observed the cow
and found that it was pouring its milk at a spot. When he went near, he found a
light at the spot. Goddess appeared in his dream and told him that she
was there. The farmer informed the matter to the villagers.
All the
people gathered there and found the idol of Goddess and built the temple. Besides
the Swayambu Goddess, there were also other two such swayambus. It
is said that the three represent the main Goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi and
Saraswathi. Amman on the right side is white in colour. There is also a
Mariamman here as a child. There is a face on her belly too wearing
a crown. It is explained that the Goddess holds the demon she
destroyed.
Tippu
Sultan built his fortress here only for his army. Fort in Tamil means Kottai;
hence the Ambal is named Kottai Mariamman. The Goddess is also known as
Koteeswari Mari.
History
Puli Suttappattan kal (Hero Stone):
This is
the only place where Puli Suttappattan Kal is found in entire Tamilnadu. Once,
a fierce tiger was creating chaos to the citizens. The tiger was killed by a
valiant warrior. During the fight, he too lost his life. To commemorate his
sacrifice, a Nadukal (Hero Stone in memory of warrior who lost lives for the
people – ancient custom practised by Tamils) placed mentioning the Bravery of
the warrior. Descendants of this warrior are still worshipping this Nadukal.
The
history of this stone is more than 500 years old. It has been traced that the
engravings belong to period of the Vinayagar Kingdom and Madurai nayakkars.
This Nadukal is located in this Temple premises and adds glory to this temple.
Tippu Sultan Fort:
This
place was in a dense forest and a strong fortress .Historians believe that Tipu
sultan, the king of Mysore had built a fort here, while going by this way, so
this temple is called ’Devathai kottai’. No traces of fort are visible today.
The Temple
Mariamman
in this temple is swayambu in separate shrine. In additional two swayambu Ambal
is placed, left and right to main swayambu Mariamman. This makes grace in the
temple. There are shrines for Kasi Vinayaka, Balamurugan, Nagar,
Karupparayar and Kannimar in the prakara of the temple. All three Shaktis –
Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi grace in the temple.
Temple Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Pooja Timing
·
Morning
Pooja - 6.30 a.m
·
Kalasanthi
Pooja - 9.00a.m
·
Uchikala
Pooja - 12.00p.m
·
Sayaratchai
Pooja - 6.00 p.m
Fees structures
Poojas
|
Rate (Rs.)
|
Archanai
|
02.00
|
Vehicle Pooja
|
10.00
|
Abishegam
|
10.00
|
Special Poojas
S.No
|
Special Poojas
|
1
|
Tamil New Year(Thai 1st)
|
2
|
Monthly Pournami Pooja
|
3
|
Chitra Pournami Pooja
|
4
|
Amavasai Pooja
|
5
|
Aadi Amavasai Pooja
|
6
|
Thai Amavasai Pooja
|
7
|
Monthly Sathurthi Pooja
|
8
|
Vinayagar Sathurthi Pooja
|
9
|
Monthly Sasti Pooja
|
10
|
Monthly Kiruthigai pooja
|
11
|
Aadi Friday Special Pooja
|
12
|
Aadi 18th Perukku Pooja
|
13
|
Aadi Pooram Pooja
|
14
|
Navarathri Pooja
|
15
|
Diwali pooja
|
16
|
Thiru karthigai Deepa Pooja
|
17
|
Margali Pooja
|
18
|
Yearly festival
(Chithirai Big Festival)
|
Festivals
Purattasi
Navarathri in September-October, Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vasantha Utsav
(summer festival) in Vaikasi (May-June), Aani Thirumanjanam in June-July,
Tirukarthikai in November-December and Aadi Fridays are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
seek the permission of the Goddess through flowers before planning any function
in their homes and before starting a business. Couples pray here for eternal
conjugal unity. Majority of the devotees pray for cure from measles.
Realizing their boons, devotees perform abishek to the Goddess, contribute to
the temple depending on their means and arrange feeding (Annadhanam).
Contact
Arulmigu
Mariamman Vinayagar Temple (Kottai Mariamman)
Pichampalayam,
Gandhi Nagar Post,
Tirupur
641 603
Phone: 0421-2472200 / 0421-2485200
Email: mariammanvinayakar.tup@gmail.com
Connectivity
The
temple is near the new bus stand. The temple can be reached from the old bus
stand getting down at Pichampalayam. The following are the major highways
connecting Dharapuram:
·
SH-21 : Pollachi - Dharapuram - Karur
·
SH-37 : Oddanchatram - Dharapuram - Tiruppur
·
SH-81 : Gobichettipalayam- Dharapuram
·
SH-83 : Palani - Dharapuram
·
SH-83A : Erode - Dharapuram
·
SH-97 : Udumalpet - Dharapuram
·
SH-153 : Dharapuram - Palani
·
SH-174A : Palladam - Dharapuram
Dharapuram
is connected by mofussil bus services to major towns in Tamil Nadu operated
by TNSTC. The nearest railway station is Palani (35 km) and
the nearest airport is Coimbatore International
Airport (80 km).