Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple

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Overview

The Devi Karumariamman Temple is located in Tiruverkadu and is dedicated to Devi Karumariamman. Mother Ambica graces from the corridor (prakara) seated on a swing called Unjal.God Vinayaka is seated under the Peepal tree (in Tamil Arasamaram). There are also shrines for Navagrahas (the nine planets), God Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Srinivasa - Padmavathi and Sri Anjaneya. Years ago, an ant hill existed in this place.People began to worship this as Mother Ambica. The Mother appeared in the dream of a villager and asked him to build a temple where the ant hill was located. Once the construction of the temple was started, the ant hill got demolished. The people found an idol of Ambica as a swayambu under the ant hill. So she is praised as one not from the womb (Karuvil Illadha Karumari). Mother Ambica presides here with a lion vehicle. Here a yagam is performed with red chillies on new moon day

About the temple

Mother Karumari Amman is a swayambu in the sanctum sanctorum under the golden vimana – tower above the sanctum- in a graceful form with all Parasakthi features. There is also an Ambica idol behind the presiding deity as Mahakali with fire, sword, skull, trident and a drum called Damarukam. Gopuja (Puja to cow) is performed daily in the morning. Kumkum archana is performed to Ambica in the evening between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. called Pradosha time. There is a deepa (lamp) in Ambica shrine, called Pathi Vilakku, surrounded by Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga and Sun and Moon opposite to each other. There are also peacock, serpent, and lion vehicles of the Gods. This lamp is ever burning. It is believed that worshipping Ambica and this lamp would keep their families wealthy.

There is tank outside the temple known as ‘sacred ash tank’. The flag post-kodimaram is in front of Ambica shrine. Festivals begin in Ambica temples with Kappu Kattu (announcing the beginning of festival) ceremony. Here, festivals begin by hoisting the flag. Ash of cow dung is offered as Prasad in the temple. We have seen Lord Vinayaka in temple with His tusk in the right hand and Modhaga-the sweet pudding ball- in the left. Here, He blesses the devotees with the right hand and keeps the left assuring them – Abhaya hastha. This is a different style. It is said those worshipping Mother Devi Karumariamman should worship in this shrine too. There is a separate shrine for Sage Agasthya. The sage had to come to south to balance the earth as Mount Kailash went down due to the heavy weight of a huge gathering of Sages when the wedding of Shiva-Parvathi took place there. Lord Shiva granted the wedding darshan to the Sage here. Also, the shrine of Mother Verkanni who granted darshan to the sage is here.

Legend and Stories

There was an ant-hill in this place long ago. People were worshipping this as Mother Ambica. Mother appeared in the dream of a devotee and asked him to build a temple for Her in that spot. When people demolished the ant-hill, they found Ambica as a swayambu and built the temple here. As She was not in the womb of a Mother, she is praised as one not from the womb (Karuvil Illadha Karumari).

Festivals

Aipasi Annabishek is performed to Mother Devi Karumariamman in October-November. Aadi Festival in July-August is very famous. Maximum duration of festivals goes up to 15 days. Rarely in some Shakti temples, festivals run upto 48 days also. In this temple, the festival that begins in the month of Aadi (July-August) continues for 12 weeks ending with Purattasi month-September-October. On Sundays, abishek is performed with 108 pots of milk followed by procession. On the 9th Sunday, Mother Devi Karumariamman is taken in procession in a palanquin decorated with flowers. On Masi Magam day in February-March, Amman is taken to Bay of Bengal for sea bath. Other festivals include Thai Brahmmotsavam in January-February, Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, big festivals in Aadi (July-August) Navarathri in September-October, Skanda Sashti in October-November and Panguni Uthiram in March-April.

How to Reach Sri Devi Karumariamman temple

Tiruverkadu is 12 km away from Chennai Koyambedu on the Poonamallee Road. Bus facilities are available from all points in the city. The nearest railway station and airport are in Chennai.

Temple Address