Chelliamman Temple, Kottayur, Thiruvarur
Chelliamman Temple is a Hindu Temple located in Kottayur
Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is also called as Siddhi
Vinayaka temple. Presiding Deities in this temple are Chelli Amman and Siddhi
Vinayaka. Sthala Vriksham is Neem (Vembu in Tamil). Theertham is Shivakulam. The
place cultivated oilseeds. Hence the name Kottayur. Also Vithanapuram as the
seeds were sent for crushing oil. Vithai and Kottai mean seed in Tamil.
Needamangalam Santhana Ramar, Yamunambal Chathiram, Alangudi Guru Bhagwan and Agastheeshwarar
Temples are close by this Temple.
History
People in the place worshipped Lord Siddhi Vinayaka for
prosperity and Chelliamman as the custodian of the village. A temple was built later. Many
worshipped Chelli Amman as their Kuladevatha-family deity. As the temple
began to decay, the villagers collected funds and built the temple. The temple
for both is built following Lord Agastheeshwarar temple for model and design.
The
Temple
Presiding Deities in this temple are Chelli Amman and
Siddhi Vinayaka. Sthala Vriksham is Neem (Vembu in Tamil). Theertham is Shivakulam.
The entrance is on the eastern side for the Siddhi Vinayaka temple. On the
left side behind is the shrine for Kaman-Cupid-Manmatha. On the right is
the shrine for Mari Amman. Siddhi Vinayaka is facing east. Chelli
Amman is facing north from her shrine. The temple is said to be above 500 years
old. The consecration of the temple was performed in 2014, February 9.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and
from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Tamil New Year day falling almost on 14th April, Fridays
of Aadi month – July-August, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October, new
moon days, Masi Magam in February-March, Kaman Vizha – a festival for Cupid –
and Vinayaka Chaturthi in August September are the festivals celebrated in the
temple.
Prayers
Mother Chelliamman is worshipped as Kuladevatha by many
families here. People pray to Lord Vinayaka for education and prosperity. Realizing
their wishes, devotees offer food grains of 9 varieties (Navadhanya). During
the Vaikasi festival, they take part in fire pit walking, carry milk pots,
light Maa Vilakku, offer Kanji (porridge) to poor, and conduct special pujas
for Lord Vinayaka.
Contact
Chelliamman - Siddhi Vinayaka Temple,
Kottayur Post, Valangaiman Taluk,
Thiruvarur District
Mobile: +91 94439 75740
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Needamangalam
on the Thiruvarur – Thanjavur route, 22 Kms on the Kumbakonam – Mannargudi Road
and 5 Kms far from Alangudi Guru Bhagwan Temple. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Needamangalam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.