Nagapattinam Nellukadai Mariamman Temple

Address

Melakottaivasal,

Nagapattinam district,

Tamil Nadu 611001

Amman

Nellukadai Mariamman

Introduction

The Nellukadai Mariamman Temple is one of the most famous temples in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Built by a rice trader, the temple was built as per the wishes of the Goddess who had appeared in his dreams. The temple is believed to have mystical powers. This temple is just ½ km from the Railway station.

Puranic Significance

The temple might have been constructed either in the 19th century or the early part of 20th century.

As per legends; there was a lady by name Periya Nagathammal in this town who was into paddy sales business. She was known for her honesty and integrity. One day, a young lady in yellow saree, came to her shop and wanted to buy some paddy. When the trader went inside to bring the paddy, the young lady disappeared. Periya Nagathammal was so much attracted by the charming face of the lady and she wanted to see that face once again. Unfortunately, the lady did not come back. When she was sleeping in the night, the young lady appeared in her dream. The trader was very happy to see that face and wanted to know more details about her. The young lady said that she was none other than the Mariamman and she was present in an ant hill below the neem tree in the neighborhood. She wanted Nagathammal to construct a temple in that place and she would ensure prosperity and safety for the entire community. The trader was thrilled and as soon as she finished her bath in the next morning, along with the local people, she went to the designated place and found the idol of the Amman in the ant hill. With the help of the community, a temple was constructed and a copper image of the Amman was made and kept in the main shrine. As the temple was associated with the paddy trader, the temple came to be called Nellukadai ( Nellu= paddy, kadai=shop) Mariamman temple.

As per another legend, it was a male paddy trader who was involved in the episode. One evening, when he was about to close the shop for the day, a young lady came there and requested him to provide her shelter in the shop as it was raining heavily. The trader though believed her story, was not sure whether to leave the lady alone in the shop. As a compromise, the lady agreed to remain inside the shop and the trader could lock it from outside. The next morning, when he opened the shop, instead of the lady, he found Amman’s idol. As the temple was associated with the paddy trader, the temple came to be called Nellukadai Mariamman temple. While the main shrine is that of Mariamman, there is a small Amman idol in front of her. She is facing east and in her four hands, she holds a small drum, rope, knife and a skull. Her sitting posture is called Veerasanam and having darshan of the Amman in this pose, removes all our worries.

Special Features

There is a vimanam above her shrine and like Mariamman; she is also sitting in Veerasanam with four hands holding various weapons, with a five headed serpent as umbrella. In front of her shrine, there is a shrine containing only this Amman’s head. Every year, during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May), along with the Car festival, there is a special prayer is performed and it is called Sedal/Sedil. This is a unique form of prayer not seen in other temples. This temple is having a three tier gopuram, Vasantha Mandapam, four pillared hall, festival hall, Mahamandapam and Artha Mandapam. In the main shrine, Shri Mariamman is present. There are separate shrines for Siddhi Vinayakar, Subrmanyar, Dakshinamurthy, Ayyappan, Vishnu Durga, Navagrahams, Kathavarayan and other deities. Like the Neelukadai Mariamman temple, here also Sedal is done for small children. The temple was built by a rice merchant. Mari Amman came in his dream and instructed him to build a temple for her. It is known as Nellu Kadai Mari Amman temple.

“Sedil” is a function celebrated in the temple during the annual Chitirai festival. The `sedil’ is a 30-feet long wooden pole with a diameter of 12 inches, mounted on a two-foot diameter and 10-feet tall pedestal. The pujari of the temple will stand on one end in a door-like frame and the other end will be pushed by the workers to rotate the `sedil’.

Devotees take a vow before Goddess Nellukadai Mariamman to put their children in the `Sedil’ as a fulfillment of prayers for ensuring good health to their wards. The priests in the `Sedil’ will take the child and take a round and then make him/her alight in front of the temple.

Festivals

Chitra Poornima in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October