- Special Features
Foundation Year500 Years oldSthala TreeNeem tree – Veppa MaramTheerthamRathamArchitectureOther SpecialityThere is also a swayambu Amman before the presiding deity in the sanctum sanctorum.
- Sthala Puran
About 150 years ago, vegetables were carried in bullock carts from Satyamangalam via Punchaipuliampatti, Irumbarai and Sirumugai to Mettupalayam market. After a small break on the way, the cart men resumed their journey. One trader found a lime fruit, a small garland and a long stone among the vegetables. He immediately informed the matter to other traders. Confused, the trader placed them on the ground and began his journey but the bullocks could not move even a step further. He placed the stone, lime and the garland back on the cart and the bulls were able to move easily. After unloading the vegetable in the market, the trader placed the stone, garland and the lime under a neem tree called Veppa Maram in Tamil, prostrated before them and begged the pardon of the deity if he had committed anything wrong.
A voice spoke then saying, “You had placed me in the right sport. I will protect the people from here.” The news spread though the village. They immediately erected a tent and began worshipping. A little girl appeared in the dream of a senior man of the village and asked him how long they would worship Her under a pandal and could not they build a temple. The people of the place plunged into action then to build a full fledged temple, placed Amman idol in the sanctum sanctorum along with the lime, garland and the long stone and celebrated the consecration as per religious rules. As the place was then called Vandipettai – parking place for carts – Mother is praised as Pettai Maha Mari Amman.
- Architecture
The consecration of the temple was recently celebrated after renovations. Deepasthamba-light post- is outside the temple. There are the Trident with Udukkai, Bali Peetas and Lion the vehicle of Mother Mariamman. Dwara Shaktis are on both sides of the entrance mandap. Lord Vinayaka graces from the Artha Mandapa with the Maha Mariamman festival deity. Mother appears with four hands, holding trident and Nagasarpa in the upper hands and a vermillion pot in the lower hand and blessing the devotees by the other lower hand. There are shrines for Lords Kubera Vinayaka, Shiva Nandhi and Balamuruga and Navanayakas in the outer prakara.
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and Prayers
Mother Maha Mariamman is all graceful to Her devotees. Those affected with small pox are cured within 5 days of spraying the abishek theertha of Amman. Such an event took place about 65 years ago. The four year old son of the chief priest of the temple was affected with small pox and no doctor could save the boy and parents lost hopes. But the priest made a cradle and placed his son before Amman leaving the results in Her hands. The boy survived the attack and was cured miraculously. That boy, now 70 is the chief priest of Mother Pettai Maha Mari Amman temple.
Mother Amman not only cures small pox and heat related diseases but also grants all prosperity to Her devotees, hence a huge devotee crowd in the temple always
Offerings to DeityRealizing their wishes, devotees carry fire pots and punch their cheeks during festivals.
Stotras and Mantras
- FestivalsSpecial abisheks and pujas are dedicated to Mother Amman on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. On each new moon day, after all the traditional pujas, Mother comes in a procession within the prakara of the temple. Special pujas are dedicated to Nandhi (vehicle of Lord Shiva) and Lord Shiva on Pradosha days – 13th day of New or full moon day and to Lord Balamuruga on Kruthika star days. Poochattu vizha for Amman begins on the full moon fortnight in Chithirai month – April-May – with planting of the Agni Kambam – a post or a thick wooden stick with three branches to place the fire pot, receiving Amman from Amaravthi river. Devotees light the Maa Vilakku a deepa made of rice flower and ghee and cook pongal, perform pujas. After all these pujas, Amman’s procession starts and night going through streets throughout the night and reaches the temple back at next dawn. Special pujas are dedicated on the third Friday in Aadi month – July-August.
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