Devi Karu Maari Amman Temple, Thiruverkadu – The
Temple
The
temple is facing east with five-tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called
as Devi Karumariamman. The Goddess is facing east. It is said that originally
the Goddess evolved from an ant hill. Amman is so beautiful with a smiling face
and decorated well with lots of flowers. Mother Karumari Amman is a Swayambu in
the sanctum sanctorum under the golden vimana – tower above the sanctum – in a
graceful form with all Parasakthi features. Vimanam is of Gopuram shape with 5
kalasams completely covered with brass plate (with gold plated) which is
glittering in the sun light.
Sundays
are considered as auspicious for Goddess Karu Mariamman. Lot of devotees arrive
to this temple every Sunday. There is also an Ambica idol behind the presiding
deity as Mahakali with fire, sword, skull, trident and a drum called Damarukam.
Go Puja (Puja to cow) is performed daily in the morning. Kumkum archana is
performed to Ambica in the evening between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. called
Pradosha time.
There is
a Deepa (lamp) in Ambica shrine, called Pathi Vilakku, surrounded by Lord
Vinayaka, Lord Muruga and Sun and Moon opposite to each other. There are also
peacock, serpent, and lion vehicles of the Gods. This lamp is ever burning. It
is believed that worshipping Ambica and this lamp would keep their families
wealthy. The flag post Kodimaram is in front of Ambica shrine. Festivals begin
in Ambica temples with Kappu Kattu (announcing the beginning of festival)
ceremony. Here, festivals begin by hoisting the flag. Ash of cow dung is
offered as Prasad in the temple.
Procession
Ambica graces from the corridor-prakara sitting on a moving plank called Unjal.
There is a shrine for Karumariamman with an idol made of wood. Devotees call her
wooden idol Amman – Marachilai Amman. Here the currencies are tied as a garland
to this goddess. Many deadly diseases and financial problems are resolved for
the devotees who worship here. Devotees believe that this Ambica would ensure
all security to their houses and families. With this prayer in mind, people use
to worship her with a lock near the hundi.
There is
a Shrine for Lord Vinayaga at the entrance of the temple under the Peepal Tree (Arasamaram
in Tamil), on the left of the flag post. Lord Vinayaka is seen here with his
tusk in the right hand and Mothagam-the sweet pudding ball- in the left. Here,
he blesses the devotees with the right hand and keeps the left assuring them –
Abhaya Hastha. This is a different style. It is said those worshipping Mother
Devi Karumariamman should worship this Vinayaga first.
There is
shrine for Navagrahas situated on an octagonal base and facing 8 directions.
This Shrine is located on south eastern corner and to the left after entering
the temple. There is a shrine for Srinivasa Perumal to the right after entering
the Temple. Lord Rama, Lakshman, Seetha, Hanuman idols are also inside the
Sannidhi of Srinivasa Perumal. Lord Perumal is seating with Sridevi, Bhoodevi
and Sudarsana Alwar. On Vaikasi Visakam festival in May-June, Lord Srinivasa
graces darshan on Garuda with Mother Padmavathy.
There is
a separate shrine for Sage Agasthya. The sage had to come to south to balance
the earth as Mount Kailash went down due to the heavy weight of a huge
gathering of Sages when the wedding of Shiva-Parvathi took place there. Lord
Shiva granted the wedding darshan to the Sage here. Also, the shrine of Mother
Verkanni who granted darshan to the sage is also here.
There
are also shrines of Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Dhakshinamoorthy,
Mahalakshmi, Angala Parameswari, Uchishta Ganapathi, Gayathri with three faces,
Rajarajeswari, Meenakshi, Kamakshi, Visalakshi, Savithri, Mother Durga and Saptha
Mathas in the temple premises. There is a separate mandapam for annadhanam. There
is also a Dhyana mandapam in the inner prakaram.
Lord Shiva
with his eight characters looked at eight directions through his third eye (the
eye on the forehead). His look became eight lingams and added more power to
Thiruverkadu, the abode of Devi Karumaari and they sat on eight directions.
These Lingams are amalgamation of all these forms of God. Basement is called
Brahma Part; Central portion is Vishnu part and upper portion is Rudhra part. The
specialty of lingam is that unlike other idols the lingam idol can be
worshipped from all directions. This Lingam having eight faces, facing eight
directions are as follows: Parvathi Lingam, Navamani Lingam, Bhairavi Lingam, Sivanilai
Lingam, Poorna Lingam, Sathyama Lingam, Karani Lingam and Varani Lingam.
There is
another small shrine adjacent to this temple, where a huge ant hill is found
under a Peepul tree. Devotees offer milk and eggs for the snakes in this ant
hill. Camphors are also lit here to offer worship. The entire ant hill is
yellow in color as devotees have applied turmeric powder on it. The belief is
if the devotees worship this anthill with milk, they will get relieved from
Raghu and Kethu Dosha. This temple is popular for snake worship, as devotees
believe that Karu Mariamman took the form of snake.
Veda Theertham,
a small temple tank is situated in front of the temple complex. The Tank has a Neerazhi
mandapam in the middle. The tank created by Lord Subramanya is called as
Thiruchamber Poigai. Taking a dip in the holy tank is said to cure people of
skin related disorders. Sthala Vriksham is Karuvela Tree. The tall and
beautiful temple Chariot is parked in a separate Mandapam adjacent to the
temple.
