Kottai Amman Temple, Devakottai, Sivaganga
Kottai
Amman Temple belongs to 40 sections 130 pullis of Devakottai Nagarathars with 5
trustees on board with 2 years period. Once in 16 year a group gets as
trustee of the temple. The 15 days annual festival will be conducted from
18th July to 1st August. During rest of the period people used to
worship through grill. The temple is very simple with a front mandapam
constructed with Mangalore tile roofing. In the sanctum there is no moortham,
but only a platform. During function days a kumbh with coconut was placed on
the platform and decorated like Amman.
Pooja
was performed only to the kumbh decorated like Amman. But Abhishekam was
conducted 2 times in a day to Balipeedam installed in the mandapam. The
Abhishekam was done with Thiraviyam, Milk, Curd, honey, cut fruits,
Panchamirtham, Sandal wood paste, Turmeric paste, Tender Coconut water,
Panneer, Lemon, etc. About 300 to 400 liters of milk was used for
Abhishekam. After Abhishekam the Balipeedam was decorated with flowers.
Devakottai
Nagarathars used to attend this festival every year, from where they are. The
Amman is very powerful and people pray for all like, diseases, buying
property, getting visa for foreign countries, employment, getting marriage,
Child, etc. After wishes are fulfilled, people used to offer to Amman,
like Pongal, Sugar cane cradle (Children will be carried through this cradle),
Ma Vilakku etc.
People
will not fry food items during the 15 days and it was believed that this will
increase the heat of Amman. After the function Decorated Amman will be immersed
in the temple pond to reduce the heat. It was learnt that during the function
days no mutton shops will open for sale. Till 15 years black goats and cocks
are sacrificed to Amman. This practice is stopped now. Devakottai is
about 20 Kms from Karaikudi. The temple is on the Oorani Street. Autos are
available from Devakottai Bus stand.
Devakottai
is situated on Tiruchirappalli-Rameswaram National Highway Road (NH-210). The nearest
airport is in Madurai, about 92 km away. The nearest railway station is
'Devakottai Road' which comes under the city limit of Karaikudi, about
10 km from Devakottai, from where frequent bus services are available for
Devakottai. Regular bus services are available to all important cities of
Tamilnadu.
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