Janagai Mariamman Temple, Sholavandan, Madurai
Janagai Mariamman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located at Sholavandan Town in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. The temple is situated on the banks of Vaigai River in a green environment. The Town has been variously referred to as Janaka Puri, Solaikuruchi, Chinna Thanjai, Chaturvedipuram, Anandasakaram, Janakayambathi and Senagapuri.
Legends
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The Temple
The temple is situated in a pleasant green environment. This is an East facing temple with a 5 tier gopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Janagai Mariamman and is facing east. Mother Janakai Mariamman is two feet tall. The Goddess of this temple is considered to have formed as Swayambu (Self emanated). Shrine is not closed during afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays. Janakai Mari Amman is the family deity of almost the entire population of the 48 villages surrounding this temple.
Mother cures diseases of any serious nature, believe the devotees. It is believed that this is a medical temple. Built on the eastern bank of Vaigai River, the place is also praised as Chaturvedipuram, Anandasakaram and Janakayambathi. Theertham associated with this Temple is Mari Theppam and Sthala Vriksham is Vembu (Neem). The whole temple has been renovated and spruced up in recent times.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
17 day Vaikasi big festival in May-June with flag hoisting and procession on Lion Vahana, carrying fire pots on the 8th day, Milk pots and flower palanquin procession on the 9th day with walking on the Pookuzhi-fire pit; Thai Pongal falling almost on January 14; Tamil New Year day falling mostly on April 14; Purattasi Navarathri in September-October with Arrow festival on Vijayadasami day on the banks of Vaigai River when rain showers occur without fail even now; Deepavali in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People pray in the temple with various wishes in mind, mainly for cure from the attack of small pox. They also pray for wedding, child, high farm yields, development in trade and profession and good education. People also pray for good health, cure from physical disabilities and relief from spells and witchcrafts. As the prayers are varied, prayer commitments also are many and varied.
Those blessed with a child after tying the cradle with a doll, go around the temple with their child. Farmer offer large quantities of grain, many punch their back and pull the car-Rath with a thread tied at the back, walk on fire pit, tonsure and donate hens and cocks and pour pearls – i.e. offering seeds of a plant called Aamanakku. Some arrange feeding-Annadhanam, offer pots with 1000 eyes-holes and idols, light a lamp made of a paste of rice flour mixed in ghee.
Some contribute liberally for the renovation of the temple. Those suffering from small pox come to the temple, bathe in the well, pray to Mari Amman wearing the wet cloth and consume the theertha offered in the temple prepared with turmeric and neem leaves (Veppilai) containing medicinal effects and the grace of Mother.
Contact
Janakai Mari Amman Temple,
Sholavandan – 625 214,
Madurai District
Phone: +91 4543 258987
Mobile: +91 94431 92101
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 300 meters from Sholavandan Railway Feeder Road Bus Stop, 700 meters from Sholavandan Railway Station, 4.5 Kms from Thiruvedagam, 9 Kms from Vadipatti, 25 Kms from Madurai, 24 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 24 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 28 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus and 35 Kms from Madurai Airport. Nellai Express from Chennai stops at Sholavandan station (4.45 AM Arrival). There are buses frequently available to Sholavandan from Periyar Bus stand in Madurai.
Location
