Thandhi Mariamman Temple,
Coonoor, Nilgiris
Thandhi Mariamman Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi, located in Coonoor Town in picturesque
Nilgiris Hills near Ooty Hill Station in Coonoor Taluk of Nilgiris District of
Tamilnadu. It is a beautiful temple surrounded by enchanting sceneries and
famous among locals.
Legends
The place was a thick jungle
when the British began to develop this place. It was a small place, hence
called Coonoor meaning small place. When the temple was built here, the British
people planted a Thandhi kambam - telegraph post. Indicating this as a land
mark, the Goddess became to be known as Thandhi Mariamman and this came to
stay. Even today, that telegraph post exists. During the puja times in the temple,
the camphor Arti is shown to this post also. It is the staunch belief of the
people that whenever water scarcity arises in Coonoor, there will be adequate
rains if they pray sincerely to the Goddess. After developing this place, the
British established stables to house the horses and sheds to keep their coaches
called Sarat Vandi.
Watchmen were also appointed to guard
the place. On one night, the watchman saw someone, fair in colour, playing on a
hanging plank (Oonjal). When he watched closely, he found that it was a little girl
wearing silk clothes and glittering jewels. When the watchman informed it to
the people, there were no takers for the story. People wanted to confirm the
news and stayed in the stable and found what the watchman said was true. The
Goddess also appeared in the dream of a devotee and told him that She was there
as a Swayambhu. Then a temple for the Goddess came into being.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as
Thandi Mariamman. She is a swayambumurthi. The tree from which the Goddess
played the hanging plank – Oonjal, still exists in the place. During the puja to
the Goddess, the Karpoora Aaradhana (burning the camphor) is shown to a telegraph
post also here. There are shrines for Murugan, Kathayi Amman, Karumariamman,
Kamakshi Amman, Vana Badrakali and Vana Durga in the prakaram.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
27 days Chithirai festival in
April-May, Aadi Fridays in July-August, Navaratri during September-October,
Deepavali in October-November, Karthikai in November-December, Thai Pongal
falling almost on January 14, New Moon and full moon special pujas are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees pray here for removal
of obstacles in marriage efforts, for removal of evil effects or aspects on
children, for development in business and excellence in education, prosperity,
for unfailing monsoon and for promotion in jobs. To realize their prayers,
devotees offer a pudding to Goddess made of flakes, coconut and sugar as
nivedhana. They also offer saris. They carry fire pots, milk pots and walk on
fire pit and water the telegraph post. They also feed the poor (Annadhanam).
Contact
Thandhi Mariamman temple,
Coonoor, Nilgiris District – 643
101
Phone: +91 423 223 8686
Mobile: +91 94430 50414
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Coonoor Bus Stand, 1 Km
from Coonoor Railway Station, 19 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Ooty, 19
Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 23 Kms from Kotagiri, 34 Kms from Mettupalayam
Railway Station and 72 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Private Taxis are available
from Ooty and Kotagiri to reach this place.
Location