Akasha
Mariyamman Temple, Nachiyar Koil,
Thanjavur
Akasha Mariyamman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Samayapuram Mariyamman, located in Nachiyar Koil in the outskirts of Kumbakonam Town in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Thirunaraiyur is famously known as Nachiyar Koil. This temple is also called Samayapurathal Temple or Ellai Amman Temple.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east. Presiding Deity is called as
Samayapuram Mariyamman / Samayapurathal / Akasha Mari Amman / Ellai Amman. She
is formless (Sukshuma roopam) excepting for 10 days a year. (Only a
Jothi / Lamp is worshipped as Amman). The local people make an idol of the
Amman using Darba grass and adorn her with jasmine flowers and glass bangles immediately
after the Amavasya of Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June). Fresh grasses are
added every day. She is depicted in various forms like Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Madanagopala,
Parvathy etc. and Raja Rajeswari form in the final concluding day.
It is said that Samayapurathu
Amman comes in the aerial route (Akasha Amman) and be present in the idols made
on all the 10 days. Samayapurathu Amman goes back after the 10th day
with all the bangles offered to her. During this festival, people from all
communities offer prayers here along with glass bangles and they believe that
their prayers get answered. The holy water and the juice of lemon offered
to the Amman is offered as Prasadam to the devotees. The Sthala Vriksham is
Neem (Vembu in Tamil).
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
A 15 days festival is celebrated
immediately after the Amavasya of Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) for Akasha
Mari Amman. Mother Mari Amman comes in procession each day in different
Alankaras. On a Friday, following the Vaikasi new moon day, devotees make an
idol of Amman for worship. To accept the jasmine flowers and glass bangles of
the devotees of Tirunaraiyur, Mari Amman lands here by sky route (Akasha Mari
Amman) from Samayapuram. She stays here for 13 days and returns with the
offerings of the devotees. During the festival, unmarried women, those seeking
child boon and those seeking happiness in families pray to Mari Amman with
bangles. Besides Hindus, people of other religion also pray here during the
festival.
Prayers
People pray to Mother Mari Amman
here seeking wedding and child boon. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer
jasmine flowers and bangles to Mother Mari Amman.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
500 meters from Nachiyar Koil Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 10
Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 11 Kms from Kumbakonam, 47 Kms from
Thanjavur and 107 Kms from Trichy Airport. Nachiyar Koil is situated on Kumbakonam
– Thiruvarur Route. Buses are available from Kumbakonam every 15 minutes on
this route.