Vandiyur Mariamman Temple – Legends
Mari Amman:
Sage Jamadagni suspected the fidelity of his wife Renukadevi when she stood wondered at the handsomeness of a Gandharva seeing his reflection in the water. He immediately ordered his son Parasurama to chop off her head which the son obliged but restored her life back with his own powers. She-Renuka Devi is worshipped as Mari Amman.
Mahishasura Mardhini:
Mother Durga is but the incarnation of Mother Parasakthi, ruler of the worlds. She created a Shakti from her body to kill demon Mahishasura of the Yaksha family. Lord Shiva gave her the face, Lord Brahmma the body, Lord Vishnu 18 hands, Yama hair, Agni the eyes, Manmatha the eyebrows, Kubera the nose, Lord Muruga lips, Chandra-Moon her breasts, Indira hip and Varuna her legs. Thus, she was the combination of powers of all Gods and is praised as Mahishasura Mardhini as she killed the demon.
Mari Amman & Mahishasura Mardhini:
Though Mariamman and Durga are different from each other, they represent Ambica. To emphasize this truth, they appear as two in a single form. This is a rare of form of Durga-Mariamman.
Reason behind the Names of Presiding Deity:
A temple was built in the eastern border for Ambica as the first custodian deity of Madurai worshipped as Maha Kali-Durga. Durgam means a fort. She was praised as Durga as she is protecting all in the form of Fort. Kings used to worship here before marching on a war. When monsoon failed and drought spread, devotees performed pujas for rain-Mari in Tamil. As She graced the people with rain, people celebrated her Mari Amman-Goddess of Rain. The name Mari Amman came to stay.