Valangaiman Sri Mariamman Temple, Tiruvarur

Address

Valangaiman Sri Mariamman Temple, Valangaiman, Tiruvarur. Phone: +91 4374-264575

Diety

Amman: Valangaiman Mariamman

Introduction

Mariamman Temple is a Amman temple in the town of Valangaiman in the Tiruvarur district of Tamilnadu, India. The presiding deity is known as Valangaiman Mariamman. The temple has front mandapa, arthamandapa, sanctum sanctorum and prakara. In the mahamandapa, at the south Vinayaka and at the north Irulan, Pechiamman, Veeran with consorts are found. In the arthamandapa processional deities are kept. Sanctum sanctorum is in square size. In the south of the temple, temple tank is found.

Puranic Significance

The story that Mother Shakti was born to Daksha and married Lord Shiva and that she ended herself due to the humiliation she met from her own father Daksha is popular among the people. Lord Vishnu requested Lord Shiva to create a beautiful Shakti. That Shakti created by Lord Shiva made many places as her abode, 108 in number. Some temples excel in glory these 108 Shakti Peeta. Valangaiman Maha Kali is one such temple. Some People believe that Mother Parasakthi took away the heat from the world and provided Rain to protect the lives on the Earth. They thought that Mother Parasakthi appeared in this world as Mariamman and some thought she was Renuka mother of Parasuraman. Others thought that Mariamman was Sakthi who destroyed Marasuran. Some thought that the worship of Kannaki later on changed into the worship of Mariamman yet people believe that Mariamman is part of Parasakthi who had taken away the heat from the Earth, provided Rain and protected the lives on the Earth. Still they believe that Mariamman is Mahashakti.

Beliefs

Those suffering from impaired vision, suffering from small pox and facing hurdles in marriage proposals pray in the temple.

Special Features

The Temple is situated with cultural style. The Sudha Idol of Mahamariamman in the front elevation is attractive with natural appearance. The stone idol of Pechiyamman, Erulan and Veeran are situated in left prakara mandapam. In the front mandapam and Alangara mandapam are constructed with artistic sense. The Sudha idol of Ambal in the alangaramandapam and Maha mandapam has a special appearance. The GarpagrahaVimanam is constructed in the scholar style. The Vimanam are in Dravida Style. In the prakara mandapam many Goddess Avatharam (Colour paintings) are found in the walls. The Prakara mandapam is RCC Roof. Many colour Kamalams are appeared in the top of the prakara mandapam roof. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Pechi Amman, Irulan and Madurai Veeran in the temple. The most important prayer commitment in the temple is the Paadai Kavadi – a ladder horizontally placed and decorated for carrying a dead body. The father is placed on this and carried as a corpse. The son with all devotion will carry the fire pot and the wife of the acting dead person will accompany with neem leaves. In some cases, the son will be on the Paadai with father and relatives carrying the fire pot.

Festivals

The two months Panguni and Avani are very important months for festivals in this temple. In the month of Avani on every Sunday special festivals are considered for Sithala Devi. On every Sunday special Abhishekam and Arathanais are conducted for the Goddess from 7.00 p.m night. Special Religious lectures, fine arts programmers are conducted for the people for the devotion towards the Goddess. A number of people worship the Goddess and receives her blessings. In the Last Sunday of the month Avani the floating festival of the Goddess is conducted. The Goddess in her Swan vehicle goes around the tank and appears before the devotees.