Kamakshi Maha Mari Amman Temple, Thenpathi, Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam
Kamakshi
Maha Mari Amman Temple is located at Thenpathi near Sirkazhi town in
Nagapattinam District of Tamilnadu. Sthala Vriksham is Vembu. In this temple
She is named as Salai Karayal Kamakshi Mari Amman.
Legends
Powerful
Kartha Veeryarjunan had 1000 hands, a commanding personality and the strength
equal to Sun God. He even kept Ravana in captivity. He worshipped
sage Thirisada and obtained Agni missile. He tried to capture the divine cow
Kamadenu from Sage Jamadagni who treated him with all hospitality. He
beheaded the sage and killed his sons and took away the cow violently. Parasurama
who was not in the place then, returned back to the hermitage and learnt about
the atrocities. He vowed to destroy the Kshatriya community for 27
generations and executed the pledge by killing them with his axe weapon.
When he
cremated his father sage Jamadagni’s mortal remains, His mother Renuka Devi
fell on the fire to join her husband. Lord Shiva caused heavy rains
to put off the fire and rescued Renuka Devi. Lord appeared before her and
said that she was part of his Devi and that she was not an ordinary human
woman. He said that she should stay in earth in the name of Mari Amman and
protect her devotees. Mari in Tamil means rain. Renukadevi was
rescued by the rains, hence praised as Mari Amman.
The
Temple
Rajagopuram
of the temple is facing east. The prakara – circular route – is broad
enough for easy movement of the devotees. A tall trident, flag post
and the holy tree Vembu with Nagars underneath adore the temple. Lord
Vinayaka, Uthirapathiar, Kathavarayan accompanied by Bommi, Aryamala, Chinnan,
Muneeswarar, Karuppannasami, Pechi Amman and other deities grace the devotees.
It is
habitual among the devotees to chase witchcraft and black magic evils with
Amman worship. A great serpent statue is on the western prakara with
Saptha Kannikas sitting around. During the Masi festival, special pujas
are dedicated to Saptha Kannikas. Mother Maha Mari Amman blesses the
devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in a sitting form with two hands.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. continuously.
Festivals
Aadi
month of the Tamil calendar corresponding to July-August and Masi to February-March
are the two months when great festivals are celebrated in the temple. 108 ovens
are used to cook Pongal offering to Mother Amman. On the third Friday, 108
abisheks are offered to Amman with devotees bringing 108 Milk pots, 108 fruits,
108 types of Padayal-nivedhana. Everything dedicated to Amman that day shall be
in 108 numbers. The Pongal is offered to devotees as Prasad. Special Homas are
performed in the Mahamandapam on each Poornima-full moon day. Special abisheks
are dedicated to Mother on the 10th day of Vaikasi (May-June)) festival: Huge
number of devotees play Karakam on the day, carry Alagu Kavadi, milk pots, walk
on the fire pit and submit their prayers. On the Uthara star days, special
pujas are dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Uthirapathiar is worshipped with special
pujas on the Masi Magam day (February-March).
Prayers
Majority
of devotees throng the temple seeking child boon. Realizing their wishes,
devotees offer new Saris to Amman. Devotees receive the Padayal food Prasad in
their clothing and eat it in the temple itself hoping that they will get a
child without fail.
Contact
Sri
Kamakshi Maha Mari Amman Temple,
Sirkali,
Thenpathi,
Nagapattinam
District
Mobile: +91 – 9843680057
/ 9865556488 / 9965640188
Connectivity
The
temple is about half a kilometer far from the Sirkali new bus stand in
Thenpathi on the Mayiladuthurai road. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Sirkazhi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
