Kottai Mariamman Temple, Salem
The
Kottai Mariamman Temple is one of the oldest pilgrimage centres of Salem City
and is situated in the heart of the city and on the banks of River
Tirumanimuthar. The presiding deity of his temple is Goddess Kottai Mariamman.
The most popular feature of this temple is its Shevapet Mariamman Temple Car
Festival, which is held at this temple every year, between the months of July
and August and lasts for a week.
Arulmigu
Kottai Mariamman Thirukoil was built during the period of Chera kings, as the
present Salem district then belongs to Chera Nadu. The Mariamman Temple, known
as Kottai Periya Mari is the guardian deity of Salem Fort during the
Pre-British period. This is the oldest temple in Salem. From New Bus Stand the
Temple is only 3 KM which situated near old bus stand.
History
This
temple was built during the periods of Chera Kings, as the present Salem
District then belongs to Chera Nadu. In Olden days there was a fort in this
place. In the said Fort the then rulers built two temples, one Perumal Temple
and another Mariamman Temple. This Fort was then guarded by the soldiers of Chera
Kings.
The
Mariamman Temple, known as Kottai Periya Mari is the guardian deity of Salem
Fort during the Pre-British period. This is the oldest temple in Salem. The
guardian deity namely Goddess Periya Mariamman was worshipped by the people of
Salem for decades together.
The
Goddess Periya Mariamman was then brought to the present place on the Eastern
bank of the famous Thirumanimuthu Aaru (river), by Kanakasabhai Mudaliar, Siva
Sankara Mudaliar, Kumbabishekam was conducted later on and the Goddess Periya
Mariamman is being worshipped by the people of Salem District.
The
Temple
This is
probably the only Mari Amman temple in the state with a small sanctum sanctorum
to define the philosophy that however rich one may be, he/she should bend and
bow down before God or Goddess to have the darshan. Mother Mariamman is
facing Eesanya – northeast direction. Mariayamman graces in the
sanctum by placing her feet on the head of a demon under & has a lotus bud
under her feet. Instead of offering the nivedhana symbolically, here Mari
Amman is directly fed.
There
are 9 stone pillars inside the Sannadhi Mandapam. At the bottom of the pillars
beautiful sculpture are carved depicting a devotee worshipping the Amman at the
bottom of the Kili mandapam (Parrot mandapam) and another Sculpture depicting Amman
fighting a demon with her leg. Malaimari is carved at the top of the pillar.
The
Goddess is known as Malaimari. Mari means rain. So as and when rain fails,
Devotees pray to this Goddess for rain. Abishekam and festivals are conducted
in honour of Malaimari to get proper rainfall and help them from drought and to
produce agricultural produces.
Temple
Opening Time
Oru Kala
Poojai is being conducted. The temple is kept opened for the devotees from 6
A.M to 2 P.M and again from 4 P.M. to 9 P.M. daily. Thousands of devotees
coming to the temple during Aadi Festival will be in Lakhs, The devotees can
contact the Executive Officer of the temple for all details.
Abhisheka
Aradhanai
The Abhisheka
Aradhanai is being regularly done from 12 noon to 2 PM daily. The necessary
fees of Rs. 25/- is collected at present for the same. The abishekam expenses
will vary according to escalation of price.
Pooja Fee
Structure
S.No
|
Details
|
Rs.
|
1
|
Archanai
|
2.00
|
2
|
Coconut
|
1.00
|
3
|
Special Entrance
|
10.00
|
4
|
Abhisekam
|
50.00
|
5
|
Ma Vilaku
|
1.00
|
6
|
Pongal Vaithal
|
2.00
|
7
|
Palikai
|
2.00
|
8
|
Doll
|
3.00
|
9
|
Tonsuring
|
10.00
|
Festivals
The most
important and ancient festival of the temple is Aadi festival with an event
called Poochattu. During this festival, flowers are supplied to other Mari
Amman temples in Salem from this temple only. This is a 15 day festival.
This
includes many programmes as planting the Kambam, inviting Mother Shakti, Karaka
- a folk dance by men and women with a pot on the head without touching them by
hand but balancing only by body movements, Uruludandam, offering Pongal to Mari
Amman and Maha Abishek etc.
Festivals
such as Vinayaka Chadhurthi, Navarathri (nine nights) Deepavali, Kruthikai,
Thai Pongal, Sivarathri, Tamil New year celebrated every year. The famous Aadi
Festival is conducted every year in the Tamil month of Aadi for 22 days in a
religious and harmonious ways. Lakhs of people will gather during this festival
to get Dharsan of this Goddess.
Prayers
The
Goddess Kottai Periya Mari relieves her devotees from all diseases and physical
troubles. The diseases such as small pox and chicken pox are completely cured
by the Goddess, when the affected person devotionally prays. People who are suffering
from small pox use to drink the water from the Theertha from the temple and
consume it. After recovery, they use to make a clay doll, carry it on their
head and go round the temple thrice.
Likewise
for the other physical disturbance and troubles, the devotees used to pray The
God and they will come to the temple and they will make Angapradakshinam by way
of coming around the temple in rolling the entire body on the temple prakaram.
By way
of submitting kannikkais such as doll having the appearance of human being, the
Kannadakkam, which is made up of a Gold, Silver or metal plate bearing the
impression of eye of human being, for the curing their eye problem, by the Goddess.
The
devotees also used to put kumkum along with salt on the Pali peedam of the
temple for the relieving of the troubles in their business, agriculture and
protecting the cattle’s from diseases. It is the sole belief of the devotees
that the Goddess is protecting them from all sorts of natural and unnatural
calamities.
Those
facing vision problems of any kind, pray to Mother. They offer small silver or
gold piece embossed with eye symbol and offer it in the Hundi. Some affected
with some problems in any part of the body, follow the same procedure. This
will have the symbol of that particular part of the body subjected to a
disease.
To
realize the wish in their mind, devotees circumambulate the temple step by step
thrice. This is called Adi Alandhu Koduthal – offering the prayer by walking
step by step. Seeking cure from any disease and relief from a problem, devotees
place kumkum mixed with salt on the Bali peeta and pour water on the same.
As the
salt dissolves and disappears in water, it is believed that their problems too
would dissolve and disappear in the air. Devotees use to place two flowers
packed in small packet to seek the approval of Amman before beginning wedding
talks or other important proposals as business etc., If they get the flower of
their choice , the proceed, if not drop the idea.
Contact
Arulmigu
Kottai Periya Mariamman Temple
Salem
-636 001
Phone: 0427 - 2267845
Email: salemkottaimariamman@gmail.com
Web: www.salemkottaimariamman.tinfo.in
Connectivity
The
temple can be easily reached as it is situated in the heart of Salem
city. The Temple is located close to new bus stand and Salem Railway
Junction. The distance between Chennai to Salem is 335 KM.
One can
travel to Salem by Train or bus. Travelers can reach to Salem Junction from
Chennai via Aarokanam, Katpadi, and Jolarpettai. The distance between Salem
Railway Station to the temple is 6 KM.
They can
reach the temple by town bus via new bus stand. The buses are available during
night also. By bus one can reach the Salem New bus Stand from Chennai via
Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Attur. From New Bus Stand the Temple is only 3 KM
which situated near old bus stand.
Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy (190 Kms) & Coimbatore (180Kms).