Coimbatore Ramalinga Chowdeshwari Temple

Address

Coimbatore Ramalinga Chowdeshwari Temple

Sukrawarpet,

Coimbatore district,

Tamil Nadu– 641 001.

Phone: +91 422–2479070, 9688324684, 9786899345

Amman

Sowdambigai / Chowdeshwari

Introduction

• Other Names: Sri Sowdambigai, Banashankari, Chowdamba, Choodambigai.
• Location: Situated in the heart of Coimbatore, at the beginning of Mettupalayam Road, and is the first temple on the way to Ooty Hill.
• Unique Aspect: Though located in a city, it is considered the guardian deity of the forest as history mentions that the goddess was brought from the forest in ancient times.

Puranic Significance:

• History:
  • The temple is over 1000 years old and dedicated to Shakti, Chamunda, and Jyothi (divine light).
  • According to Devanga Purana, Sage Devala, a progenitor of the Devanga community, created weaving and clothing. He was attacked by five demons while returning after obtaining threads from Lord Vishnu.
  • Devala called upon Shakti, who appeared as a divine light, mounted on a lion, wielding weapons, and killed the demons. The demons’ blood, in five colors, was used to soak the threads.
  • The goddess was then named Chowdeshwari (or Sowdeswari) and advised Devala to worship her during every New Moon (Amavasya).
• Connection to Devanga Community:
  • Devala later founded the Sagara Kingdom and married various divine figures. His followers are called Devanga or Devangar.
• Connection to Lord Rama:
  • According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, after killing the Brahmin Ravana, wanted to worship Shiva to atone for his sin. He instructed Hanuman to bring a lingam, but Sita built a sand lingam on the shore in the meantime.
  • The lingam brought by Hanuman was given to Devala Rishi, who named it Ramalingam. Devala worshipped both Ramalingam and Chowdeshwari Devi, thus giving the temple its name Sri Ramalinga Chowdeshwari.

Beliefs:

• Devotees believe that worshiping at this temple will cure diseases and bless them with peace and prosperity.

Special Features:

• Flagpoles: Separate flagpoles for Chowdeshwari Amman and Balamurugan.
• Main Shrines:
  • Ramalingeswar with Nandi in the southern part of the Artha Mandapam.
  • Nataraja, Gayatri Devi, and Lakshmi Narayana in the Kolumandapam.
  • Vinayaka, Balamurugan, Navagrahas, Chandran, Surya, Nalvar, and Devala Maharishi in the Mahamandapam.
• Inner Prakara Shrines: Dakshinamurthy, Sandikeswarar, Kalabhairava, and Durgai.
• Inscriptions: Inscriptions with the Kalabhairava Ashtaka, Dukka Riyasha Ashtaka, Gayatri Mantra, and Lakshmi Narayana Mantra are inscribed in the shrines for devotees’ convenience.

Festivals:

• Chitra Poornima (April-May)
• Vaikasi Visakam (May-June)
• Aadi Pooram (July-August)
• Vinayaka Chaturthi (August-September)
• Navaratri (September-October)

Century/Period

1000 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Coimbatore

Nearest Railway Station

Coimbatore

Nearest Airport

Coimbatore

Location on Map

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