Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram – The Temple
The main
deity, Samayapurathal or Mariamman, a form of supreme mother goddess Durga or Maha Kali or
Aadi Shakthi, is made of sand and clay like many of the traditional Mariamman
deities, and hence unlike many other Hindu deities there are no Abhishekams (sacred washing) conducted to the main deity, but
instead the "abishekam" is done to the small stone statue in front of
it. Mother of all Mothers, Samayapurathal is a very powerful goddess Who
fulfils the heartfelt prayers of her devotees.
Mariamman
is seen in a Grand, Majestic sitting posture with the Serpent Lord providing
her cover over her head. Mariamman is seen with 8 hands, a special feature at
this temple and holds all the weapons that Lord Shiva normally possesses. After
destroying the evil forces, she adorned herself with the garland. Her left leg
is seen folded with her right leg placed down on the ground in a posture of
killing three Asuras.
In
ancient times, Amman was seen with wild teeth. However, in one of the
Kumbabishekam during the last century this was changed to normal teeth
featuring her as a ‘Shantha Swaroopi’ and with a beautiful smiling face.
Only in
a very few temples, you are able to see the presiding deity from the entrance
of the temple itself. Samayapurathu Mariyamman can be seen even from the main
entrance of the Temple and it will look like that the Mother has been waiting
for your arrival all along. This temple has separate shrines for the
processional image of Mariamman and the moolavar in the sanctum. There is also
a shrine to Karuppanna Saami a local deity. The associated temple named
Ujjaini Om Kaliyamman at Magalikudi lies at 500 m.
Sakthi
Theertham is the sub river of River Cauvery. It is also called as Peruvalai
Vaaikal / Punitha Sakthi Theertham. It situated in south side of South Car
street. Mahamayee Theertham is situated to north west side of Samayapuram
Mariamman temple and left side to Samayapuram, near Thiruchi-Chennai highway. This
Theertham is used for Theppotsavam Festival.
Jadayu
Theertham is situated to the south side of Kanaga Ambikai Udanurai
Muktheeswarar Temple and to the South-East side of Mariamman Temple. This
Theertham is related to the epic of Ramayana. God give mukthi to Jadayu in this
place. Ganga Theertham is located near to the eastern side of Ujjaini Ohm
Kaliyamman Temple (Sub temple of Mariamman Temple) and to the south-east side
of Mariamman Temple.
As per
Vikramaditya prayer, River Ganga Devi appeared here. This Theertham is used for
Vikramaditya’s Kaali Pooja. This is the most powerful Theertham to rectify
diseases, phycological disorders. Vembu (Neem) Tree is Sthala Vriksham for this
Temple. The beautiful idol of Aayiram Kannudayal came out from the anthill
under this tree. Now she is housed in front of this Tree.
Persons
affected by Chickenpox and Smallpox come to this place, stay here and pray the
Goddess for speedy recovery. Abisheka Theertham (Divine Water) is sprinkled on
them after Pooja and they get recovered very quickly. There is a separate rest
hall for their stay in the temple. Originally the temple was under the management
of the Tiruvanaikaval Temple, a popular temple in Trichy. Later, the control
was split and currently Samayapuram has been placed directly under an
independent trust monitored by the Government.
