Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Mari Amman Temple, Manapparai, Trichy

Mari Amman Temple, Manapparai, Trichy

Mari Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Rain Goddess located at Manapparai Town in Trichy District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Manapparai Mari Amman / Veppilai Mari Amman.

Legends

The place was earlier dense with tall bamboo trees. There were neem trees also in a particular spot. While the bamboo trees were removed, it became necessary to remove a neem tree also in the middle. People found a stone under the tree. While trying to remove the stone with a crowbar, it began to bleed. The villagers gathered there. One gentleman possessed by a divine spirit shouted that “I am Mahamaayi (Mari Amman). I am under this tree for a long time. If you build a temple and worship me, I shall be the caretaker of your place and families”. They built the temple and installed the stone in the sanctum.

This sacred stone is still in the temple. Aarati is offered to the present idol Amman only after pujas dedicated to this stone. As she was found under the neem tree, She was named Veppilai Mari Amman. As Amman was found with the smell of Veppilai and in Manaparai, devotees praise her as Veppilai Mari Amman and Manaparai Mari Amman. Manam in Tamil also means wedding; hence this also may be the basis for the name Manaparai Mari Amman.

The Temple

Manapparai Mari Amman is celebrated as the younger sister of Samayapuram Mariamman. It is noteworthy that the younger sister is on the southern bank of Cauvery and that of the elder in Samayapuram is on northern bank.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Festivals

Tiruvilakku Puja on the Tamil New Year Day falling almost on April 14, Milk Pot carrying on the second day and Purattasi Navarathri in September-October are the festivals observed in the temple.

Prayers

Devotees pray to Mother Mari Amman for timely rain and farm yields carrying germinated seeds - Mulaipari in Tamil and conduct a ritual called Vedarpari with Amman on the horse vahana. Those facing delays in marriage tie a yellow thread in a neem tree behind the Ambika shrine. They tie bangles and Vel (leaf shaped spear) in the tree for child boon. They tie the yellow thread and bangles in the tree again on realizing their wish.

Besides following the above prayers for marriage and child boon, devotees carry milk pots in procession on the 15th day Chithirai festival in April-May seeking the grace of Amman for total salvation from the cycle of births and deaths, for healthy life free of diseases, family unity, progress in trade and farm yields, education, longevity and a loving wife/husband.

Contact

Mari Amman Temple,

Manapparai,

Trichy District – 621 306

Phone: +91 4332 260 998

Mobile: +91 98420 80312

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Manapparai Bus Station, 600 meters from Manapparai Railway Station, 14 Kms from Thogaimalai, 46 Kms from Trichy and 43 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location