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.