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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Kottai Amman Temple, Devakottai, Sivaganga

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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