Aadhi Mariamman Temple, Inam Samayapuram, Trichy
Aadhi
Mariamman Temple is a Hindu Temple located at Inam Samayapuram in Trichy
District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is
considered as the birth place of Samayapuram Mariamman, located at about 1.5
Kms from the present Samayapuram Temple. The deity still exists here too called
as Adhi Mariamman. Samayam in Tamil means Time. The deity graces her devotees
in time, hence praised as Samayapuram Mariamman.
Legends
According
to a legend, the current deity was initially at the famous Ranganatha Swamy
temple in Srirangam. When one of that temple’s chief priests believed that the
idol caused illness in him, he is said to have ordered for its removal from the
temple. There was a common belief of the people from that in region that such
local Gods possess immense powers and so must always be appeased by making
appropriate offerings and sacrifices. Thus, the idol was moved out of the
Srirangam town, and was later identified by some of the by passers, who is said
to have built a temple for this deity called the Kannanur Mariamman temple. Sometime
around the 17th century CE, the region surrounding Trichy is said to
have been ruled by the Vijayanagar kings who used the area primarily as an army
base. It is believed that the Vijayanagara ruler vowed to build a temple for
his goddess if they get to win the war. And accordingly, they built this temple
on tasting success.
History
The
actual history behind the temple’s origin remains unclear. The present temple
structures were constructed during the early 18th century by King
Vijayaraya Chakravarthy. The Goddess is believed to have been worshipped by
locals even before the construction of this temple, but those details remain
unauthenticated.
The
Temple
The
principal deity, Goddess Mariamman, also called popularly as Goddess
Samayapurathal. The main deity’s idol is made up of sand and clay and thus the
ritual of abhisheka is not performed to the Moolavar, (main idol) unlike many
other Hindu deities. Instead abisheka is performed to a small secondary Vigraha
that is carved out of stone. This Vigraha is placed in front of the main idol. Adhi Mariamman graces the devotees with her
four hands. The sanctum sanctorum faces S. Kannanore in the South is a
noteworthy feature.
This
temple should be visited before you visit the main Samayapuram Mariamman of
Kannanore. The management of this temple was initially under the control of the
Thiruvanaikaval temple, another popular shrine in the region. Later, the
control was split and presently this Samayapuram Mariamman temple is under an
independent trust which is under the Government of Tamil Nadu. The trust also
oversees the temple’s Annadhanam scheme (an act of offering food to the
devotees).
Temple
Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00
a.m. and 4.00 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Pooja
Timings
The
following are the list of poojas offered at the temple;
S. No
|
Pooja
|
Time
|
1
|
Ushat Kaalam
|
06.00 A.M
|
2
|
Kaala Santhi
|
08:00 A.M
|
3
|
Uchi Kaalam
|
12:00 A.M
|
4
|
Sayaratchai (1st)
|
06.00 P.M
|
5
|
Sayaratchai (2nd)
|
08.00 P.M
|
6
|
Artha Jamam
|
09.00 P.M
|
7
|
Thanga Ther
|
07.00 P.M
|
Festivals
Poochoridal (showering of flowers) in the month of
Thai (January-February), Masi Thiruvizha in February-March, Vijayadasami in
September-October are the festivals very devotionally celebrated in the temple.
As a recalling of an earlier festival of S. Kannanore Mariamman invited to
Kollidam-Cauvery River, a ritual of inviting Samayapuram Adhi Mariamman here on
the first Sunday of Chithirai month (April-May) is being followed now also
where the deity stays for a night and return back.
Prayers
Those awaiting marriages worship Nagakanni and tie
the yellow thread submitted to the deity on the Neem tree here. The worship
expedites marriage processes. Those seeking child boon tie a small wooden
cradle on the tree. Devotees worship the Goddess on New Moon and Full Moon days
and stay in the temple to get their ambitions realized. Devotees perform
abishek to the Goddess on realizing their boons. Goddess
Samayapurathal is believed to grant all the wishes of her devotees. After
offering prayers to the goddess, many devotees volunteer to stay and serve the
temple, as a thanks giving to the deity for curing them from small pox. People
who are disabled and vision impaired, pray the divine Mother for getting
relieved from their disabilities. People also offer prayers to the deity
seeking good agricultural yields and business development.
Devotees
undertake to Tonsure their heads and offer Archanas and Abishek as a way of
showing gratitude to the deity. Ear boring ritual is also done here. Devotees
also perform the ritual of pulling the golden chariot, carrying fire pots,
performing the angapradakshina (rolling over the temple precinct), etc. They
also worship the goddess offering sugarcane cradles, alighting lamps made from
flour and ghee during Thaipoosam, donating paddy, grains, sheep, cocks as their
prayer commitment. They also arrange for ritual of Annadhaana which involves
feeding the poor. Mavilakku is a sweet dish which is made from mixing jaggery,
rice flour and ghee. This Mavilakku is offered to the goddess as an important
offering. Raw salt is also offered to the deity by the natives.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 1.5 kms North East of Samayapuram main Mariamman Temple, 2 Kms from Samayapuram New Bus Stand, 1 Km
from Samayapuram Temple Old Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Manachanallur, 13 Kms from Thiruvellarai,
13 Kms from Thiruppainjeeli, 13 Kms from Pachur, 12 Kms from Srirangam, 10 Kms
from Thiruvanaikoil and 17 Kms from Trichy. The temple lies just on the
Trichy – Chennai highways, with frequently available state and town bus services
and is well connected to Trichy. Nearest Railway Stations are located at
Pichandar kovil (10 Kms) and Trichy (21 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at
Trichy (22 Kms).
