Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple - Erode

Address

Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple Pariyur, Pariyur Rd, Gobichettipalayam, Erode district. Tamil Nadu 638313 Phone: +91-4285-222 010

Diety

Amman: Kaliamman (kondathukari)

Introduction

Kondathu Kaliamman Temple is an Amman temple located at Pariyur near Gobichettipalayam in Tamil Nadu, India. The prime deity is called as Kaliamman (Kondathukari). The temple is 1500 years old. The peeta under the deity is of a 7 tier design. The temple stands amidst a pleasant environment. There are other temples, namely Sri Amarapaneeswarar Temple, Sri Adinarayana Perumal Temple and Sri Angalamman Temple nearby.

Puranic Significance

The history of the temple dates centuries back. The exact date of establishment is unknown and the current temple was rebuilt in the mid 1950s. The place was previously known as Azhagapuri or Parapuri and the name Pariyur came from ‘Pari’ ‘oor’ meaning, ‘place ruled by Pari’. Vēl Pāri was a great king who is considered in Tamil literature as one of the Kadai ēzhu vallal (literally meaning, the last of the seven great patrons). Arulmigu Kondathu Kaliamman is a powerful Goddess who was the deity responsible for the prosperity of the country ruled by Pari. Sri Rudra is believed to be on the head of the Goddess. Her crown is fire of flames. She appears as Rudra Kali. The face of Rudra is on the head of the Goddess. Devotees bring huge quantity of wood to make fire in the pit which is forty feet long. The chief priest of the temple walks first on the burning pit followed by lakhs of devotees. It is a bone chilling event. Men, women, young boys and girls, even the handicapped would walk on the fire pit care free as if walking on a mattress. The pit itself carries the name of the Goddess – Kondathu Kaliamman. Seeking permission: Sri Kaliamman has the reply in two hands to the queries of devotees. If the reply comes from the right, devotees carry on the work they plan to do and stop if it is from the left. But for remedy from diseases, the reply is prayed for from the left. Muniappaswami: He appears in a colossal form. Those seeking child boon from the Goddess through a flower, perform abishek to Muniappaswami with 12 pots of water on a Tuesday. Those praying to this deity are freed from magic spells. The talisman and the threads placed at His feet have high power to cure prolonged diseases. Sri Kaliamman graces facing north. A siddha, known as Surara, had high powers with the grace of the Goddess. With his Mantra powers, he had the darshan of the Mother.

Beliefs

Sri Kondathu Kaliamman protects devotees affected by magic spells, blesses devotees with child boon, a happy wedlock, high yield in farm occupations and all perennial happiness. Devotees walk on fire pit. Offer Sari to Amman. They also perform Laksharchana (chanting the name of the Goddess one lakh times), 1008 conch abishek, dress her with flour colored green and sandal paste. They place the deity on a moving plank called Oonjal and sing her praise. General abishek and pujas are also arranged by the devotees and feeding the visitors (Annadhanam).

Special Features

The Amman temple has a five-storey main Gopuram at the South corner and an outer mandapam covering the inner sanctum made of black marble. There are intricate carvings on the pillars of the temple including a ball shaped of single stone inside the lion’s mouth. The lion is considered the main vahana (vehicle) of the Goddess. The goddess facing north wears a crown of fire and is seen stamping a demon under her feet. Rudra is believed to be on the head of the Goddess. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Siddhi Vinayagar, Sri Pon Kaliamman and Kannimar. There is a colossal statue of Sri Maha Muniappan, who is regarded as the savior against fear and evil apart from granting boons for bearing children. The divine ropes offered to Sri Maha Muniappan and Sri Kondathu Kali is considered to provide protection against evil and ill health. Apart from this, there are deities of Kaval Deivam (Guardian Deities), Brahma and other Gods/Goddess. Inside the temple, one can see the statues of Brammahi, Maheshwari, Gowmari, Vaishnavi, Mahendri and Chamundi. There is an urchavar statue normally referred to as ‘Chinna Amman’ which is the miniature of the main Goddess.

Festivals

5 day Margazhi (December-January) car festival (walking on the fire pit) drawing a crowd exceeding 10 Lakh; Aadi Friday festival on all Fridays of the month during July-August; Fridays in the month of Thai (January-February) are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Also, all Tuesdays and Fridays attract a huge crowd of devotees. Special pujas are performed during Navarathri days in September-October, Karthikai in November-December, Pongal, Deepavali, Tamil and English New Year days.