Kottai Mariamman Temple, Salem

Address

Kottai Mariamman Temple, Salem district -636 001 Phone: 0427 – 2267845

Diety

Amman: Kottai Mariamman

Introduction

The Kottai Mariamman Temple in Salem City, Tamil Nadu, is a significant and ancient pilgrimage center dedicated to Goddess Kottai Mariamman.

Puranic Significance

• The Kottai Mariamman Temple is located in the heart of Salem City, on the banks of the River Tirumanimuthar.
• The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old, dating back to the period of the Chera kings when Salem was part of Chera Nadu.
• During the pre-British era, the Mariamman Temple, known as Kottai Periya Mari, served as the guardian deity of Salem Fort.
• The present location of the temple on the eastern bank of the Thirumanimuthu River is attributed to the efforts of Kanakasabhai Mudaliar and Siva Sankara Mudaliar. They moved the deity here and conducted a Kumbabishekam (consecration) of the temple.

Special Features

• The temple’s unique feature is its small sanctum sanctorum, symbolizing the idea that regardless of one’s wealth or status, all devotees should humble themselves before God or Goddess to seek darshan.
• Goddess Mariamman, the presiding deity, faces the Eesanya (northeast) direction.
• In the sanctum, Mariamman is depicted with her feet on the head of a demon and a lotus bud beneath her feet.
• The temple features nine stone pillars inside the Sannadhi Mandapam, adorned with beautiful sculptures depicting a devotee worshipping the Goddess and Mariamman in combat with a demon, among other artistic representations.
• Malaimari, a form of Mariamman, is carved at the top of one of the pillars.
• The Kottai Mariamman Temple holds immense historical and cultural significance as one of the oldest temples in Salem.

Festivals

• The temple’s most important and ancient festival is the Aadi festival, which lasts for 15 days. A notable event during this festival is Poochattu, where flowers are supplied to other Mari Amman temples in Salem from this temple.
• The Aadi festival includes various rituals and programs such as planting the Kambam, inviting Mother Shakti, Karaka (a folk dance involving balancing pots on the head without touching them by hand), Uruludandam (rolling a pot), offering Pongal to Mari Amman, and Maha Abishek.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Kottai

Nearest Railway Station

Salem

Nearest Airport

Trichy, Coimbatore

0

lightuptemple