Mariamman Temple, Irukkankudi, Virudhunagar
Mariamman
Temple is located in Irukkankudi Village in Virudhunagar District of
Tamilnadu. Mariamman is the Moolavar in the temple. This Temple attracts
thousands of devotees daily. The number of devotees visiting Irukkankudi
Mariamman Kovil increases in Aadi
month especially on
Fridays. The last Friday
in Aadi month is highly auspicious
in the temple – the Utsava murti – the murti (idol) used for festival purposes
- is taken on Vrishaba Vahanam (Devi mounted on bull) from the village side to
the main temple located in between the two rivers of Arjuna and Vaippar. The
belief is that Goddess Mariamman cures physical illness and provides good
health. Thousands of people with eye-ailments have found relief here.
Legends
Villages found Swayambu idol of Amman:
This
happened 300 years ago between Arjuna and Vaippar rivers. A priest – Poosari –
woman filled her basket with the cow dung she gathered and was prepared to go
home with the basket but could not lift it alone. She asked others to help her.
They too could not lift the basket. She herself was influenced by the power of
Goddess and exclaimed that Amman was under the ground where the basket was
placed and ordered them to take her out and build a temple. The villagers found
the idol of Mother Amman, built the temple and are doing the pujas. Since then,
she is the deity for the villagers taking care of their welfare.
Pandavas stayed in this region during their exile:
During
their forest life, Pandavas were in this region, they came to the foot of this
hill for a bath. But there was no water anywhere. Arjuna prayed
to Mother Ganga and pierced the earth with his arrow from where sprang the
Arjuna river. Pandavas had a pleasant bath.
Origin of Vaipparu:
The
river flowing on the south side is called Vaipparu. This also has a
puranic story. A hunter, Sambugan by name performed severe penance
standing in the midst of fire north of Shivasailam at the foot of Pothigai
hills. This penance caused a death in Ayodhya when it was under Lord Rama’s rule. Angry
Rama marched with his army and killed Sambugan. He restored the man to
life who died in his land.
This
event is described in the Utharakanda of Ramayana. Incurring the sin of
killing Sambugan, Rama installed a Shivalinga in Shiva hills, worshipped Lord
Shiva and got relieved of the sin. Lord Rama then reached the Western
Ghats with his army. One Shambavan in the entourage told Rama that Sage
Agasthya had hidden a pot in this place containing waters of all holy
rivers.
Rama was
happy. He hit the hidden pot with an arrow from which a river sprang
up. Vaippi means hidden. As the river flew from Vaippi, it is known
as Vaipparu. Vaipparu flows through Karivalam Vandha Nallur, Sattur, and
Kollampatti and joins Arjuna River in Irukkankudi and flows further through
Muthulapuram and Vilathikulam before reaching the ocean.
Amman appeared from Sivayoga Gnana Siddhar Samadhi:
Another
legend has it that Sivayoga Gnana Siddhar, an ardent devotee of Goddess Amman,
got a boon from her that she will appear at the spot where he will attain
Samadhi.
The
Temple
The
sanctum sanctorum is under a beautiful vimana. Traditionally, Mother Mariamman appears in a sitting
posture with left leg folded and the right hanging. It is vice-versa here. The
Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam are close to the sanctum. Sri Nandeeswara and
flag post-Kodimaram are in a line. Lord Vinayaka is under the Arasa Maram. On the west are Vazha
Vandha Amman and Rakachi Amman. Pechi Amman and Muppidari Amman are in separate
shrines on the northwest. Kathavarayan and Vairavamurthi are in the east. Karuppusamy
is in southeast corner. Devotees worship all these deities and Mariamman in
order.
Mother
Mariamman is between two rivers, Arjuna and Vaipparu praised equal to Holy
Ganga. Hence, Amman is praised as Irukkankudi – between rivers – Mari
Amman. The devotee thus gets the benefit of bathing in two Gangas. Arjuna
springs from the Mahalinga Hills in Vatrayiruppu.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Aadi
festival in July-August is grandly celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
The
temple is famous for curing various diseases. People have found relief after
visiting the temple. The main offering in the temple is body parts made using
silver foil. Devotees have found relief to various eye ailments and stomach
related disorders. Those suffering from impaired vision, stomach pain and other
troubles, small pox, pain in hands and legs pray to Mari Amman for relief.
Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek and aaradhanas to Amman.
Contact
Sri
Irukkankudi Mari Amman Temple,
Irukkankudi,
Sattur,
Virudhunagar
District
Phone: +91 – 4562 259
614 / 259 864
Mobile: +91 – 94424 24084
Connectivity
Irukkankudi
is 8 km east of Sattur on the Thiruchendur road. Town bus facility is
conveniently available from Sattur to reach the temple. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Sattur and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.