Samayapuram Maariamman

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Dear Sarita Akka,

 

You asked me persistently about Samayapuram Maariamman. Iam giving out here in this posting some information which you might be interested.Sorry for the delay in replying,I was a bit busy these days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is situated on Tiruchirappalli Chennai NH 45, just 20 kms north of Tiruchirappalli town.The Maariamman Temple here, is one of the well visited shrines in Tamilnadu, dedicated to Maariamman, a manifestation of the primeval energy Shakti as the mother Goddess all sundays, tuesdays and fridays hundreds of devotees throng the temple and perform Poojas.

 

The offerings are in various forms.The most common offering is the Mavilakku Mavu made of jagery, riceflour,dhal and ghee. Mariamman is a form of Shakti worshipped in Tamilnadu, and is associated with prosperity and health. Local beliefs associate this deity with cures for diseases such as small pox and chicken pox.

 

 

The Maariamman Temple at Samayapuram in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli , is one of the well visited shrines in Tamilnadu, dedicated to Maariamman, a manifestation of the primeval energy Shakti as the mother Goddess.

 

Maariamman: Local variations of the worship of Shakti, the mother Goddess are seen throughout the Indian subcontinent. Mariamman is a form of Shakti worshipped in Tamilnadu, and is associated with prosperity and health. Local beliefs associate this deity with cures for diseases such as small pox and chicken pox.

 

Legend has it that Shiva created Kali, out of the poison that he had swallowed, and decreed that he kill Daarukaasuran.

 

Having originated from the Kaalakoota poison, she assumed the name Kaali. Mariamman is believed to be a form of Kaali, and is also known as Mahamaayi or Seethala Gowri.

 

 

Legends surrounding Samayapuram: Dasaratha, father of Rama is said to have worshipped here.

(Dasaratha)

It is believed that the processional image of Mariamman was in the possession of the Vijayanagar monarchs and that as their empire neared destruction, this image was brought down to Tamilnadu in an ivory palanquin. It is believed that the palanquin bearers placed image on the ground and paused for rest, and then found themselves to be unable to lift it off the ground. A temple was then established in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli, which was later expanded by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak of Madurai of the 18th century.

Samayapuram was a local capital of the Vijayanagar rulers in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli, and was known as Vikramapuram.

 

 

The Temple: This temple has separate shrines for the processional image of Mariamman and the moolavar in the sanctum.

DIVINITY OF THE TEMPLE

 

 

The important pilgrim center of South India is located in an island 6 km from Trichy. Surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri and its tributary Kollidam, is a 600-acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 pilgrims, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in south Asia

 

 

 

 

 

 

This temple has separate shrines for the processional image of Mariamman and the moolavar in the sanctum. There is also a shrine to Karuppannasaami a local deity. It is believed that that this deity was once installed at the Sri Rangan temple near Tiruchirapalli. As the chief priest felt that he was suffering from some malevolent effect from the Goddess, he asked the workers at the temple to remove the idol from the temple. The workers carried the idol northwards and put it down in a place called Kannanoor and left it there. Some passersby who saw this idol left unattended in the middle of the village informed the local villagers who named the idol Kannaoor Mariamman and established a shrine there.

 

AUSPICIOUS DAYS

There are four main festivals conducted in this temple in the Tamil months of 'Thai', 'Masi', 'Chithirai' and 'Vaikasi'. The festival conducted in the month of 'Masi' (February/March) is called 'Poochorithal' (inundating with flowers). Fridays are very special

(Utsava Vigraha)

 

 

Festivals: : Several worship services are offered throughout the day here. Offerings of salt, jaggery (brown sugar), lentils, jewelry are made by devotees.

 

(Amman Kavadi a-la-murugan Kavadi)

 

Annual festivals are celebrated during Thai Poosam, and in the tamil months of Pankuni and Chittirai.

 

 

 

The last Sunday of Pankuni marks the commencement of the festival, while the chariot festival is celebrated on the first Tuesday in the month of Chittirai, and the float festival is celebrated a week later.

 

Divine Mother ! Muthu mariamman of Samayapuram! Save your devotees from dreadful diseases! O Sheetala Devi, here is a garland of lemons to cool your anger! Om Namo Namaha!

Karpoora Nayagiye Kanakavalli!

Maari Karumaari MuthumaariAmma!!

Yours yogically,

 

Shreeram Balijepalli

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purity, Powers, Parabrahmam...

 

 

 

 

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