Veerapandi Gowri Mariamman Temple – Theni

Address

Virapandi, Theni district,

Tamil Nadu 625534

Phone: +91- 99441 16258, 97893 42921.

Amman

Gowri Mariamman

Introduction

The Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple located in the Veerapandi, Theni district in the state of Tamil Nadu. The history of the temple dates back to the 14th century and was constructed by Pandya King Veerapandi. The king Veerapandi has been credited to restore his eyesight by being whole heartedly devoted to the gods Gowmariyamman and Kanneeswaramudaiyar. The beautiful and ever flowing river Mullai River runs its course nearby to the temple. The Veerapandi Gowmariamman Devi Temple is located at a distance of nearly 8 kilometers from the Theni bus stand.

Puranic Significance

The Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple is of great historic significance. It was constructed by the Pandya King called Veerapandian, during the 14th century. During his reign over Madurai, the king under unfortunate circumstances lost his eyesight. The inscriptions of the temple, according to historians, depict that the king Veerapandiya worshipped the Goddess Gowmariamman and Lord Kanneeswaramudayar by performing penance and meditation. The devotion poured by the king for the gods resulted in him regaining his eyesight.

Beliefs

Ambica Goumari Amman appears with Udukkai, sword, gadkam and skull in her hands. Swayambu Ambica is before this idol. Swayambu is dressed as Ambica. The first puja is dedicated to Swayambu and to idol Ambica next. Darshan of Swayambu Ambica is available only during abishekam. As Ambica blesses the devotees from their ailments, she is praised as Maruthuvachi, meaning a lady doctor. It is the staunch belief of the people that any disease prolonged or terminally threatening would disappear with the grace of Ambica. Women seeking child boon pray with bangles.

There is a stone post opposite the shrine which is regarded as the Lord (husband) of Ambica. During the Chithirai (April – May) festival a neem tree post with three branches is placed near Ambica with all music rituals. They shift it then near the stone post. Women praying for the safety and longevity of their Mangal Sutras pray near the stone post with turmeric abishekam and offer jasmine and lime fruit garlands. To emphasize the philosophy that Shiva and Shakti are one, and also as Mariamman represents Shakti, She is dressed as Lord Shiva with a forehead eye and crescent moon, Udukkai and trident in hands and clad in a tiger skin design cloth on the Shivrathri festival day.

According to Shiva puja rules, 6 pujas are performed on Shivrathri. This darshan is rarely missed by devotees of the place. Ambica is under four hooded serpent. She comes in procession around the prakara in a palanquin carried by women only. The 21 day Chithirai festival is very grandly celebrated in the temple. Devotees offer their prayers by walking on the fire pit and carrying fire pots.

Special Features

Festivals

Chithirai Utsav in April-May; Fridays of Aadi (July-August) and Thai (January-February) months, Purattasi Navarathri in September-October and Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.