- Shakti
Gowmariamman Temple
- Veerapandi,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
Gowmariamman temple is located in the veerapandi village. Veerapandi is a panchayat town in Theni district in Tamil Nadu. This town is located at 80 km west of the Madurai and 8 km from Theni. The famous Mullai River flows viz this town, the festival in Gowmarriamman temple is very famous. Goddess Gowmariamman is the main god of this village.
About the Temple
Gowmariamman temple is built by the Pandya King Veera Pandi during 14th Century. Goddess Gaumariamman presides here in the form of a Linga. As the temple was raised in the Linga form, the Goddess is dressed as God Shiva and poojas are performed accordingly.
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 abishek. 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 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 abishek and offer jasmine and lime fruit garlands. To emphasize the philosophy that Shiva and Shakti are but 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.
Legend and Stories
Residents of this region were affected by serious diseases and were at a loss not knowing what to do. A woman came to this place, offered turmeric and neem leaves – manjal and veppilai in Tamil. They were cured and happy. They asked the woman who she was. She appeared in Her true divine form as Ambica. She also chose this place to stay as wished by the devotees as a Swaymbu. The temple was built around the swayambu. Later a full Mariamman idol also was installed behind the swayambu. The temple was further extended.
History of the Temple
The history of temple depicts that the King Veerapandiya prayed to the God to bless him, regain the eyesight which he had lost due to his ill fate. As he prayed, the God appeared in his dream and asked him to through the bank of the river Vaigai to the forest named Nimba Aranyam where he can worship and pray Goddess Gowmari and regain the lost eyesight. As instructed he prayed the Goddess Gowmari and regained the sight of one eye and prayed the God Arulmigu Kanneeswaramudaiyar, regained the sight of another eye.
Pooja Timing
Kalasandhi Pooja – 09:00 am
Sayaraitchai Pooja – 07:00 am
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.
Chithirai Festivals
Every year Annual festival is celebrated during the month of Chithirai (English month May). The first Tuesday of Chithrai month the installation of “Holy Post” is being performed to denote the commencement of festival. From that day onwards special Poojas are being performed for 21days. From the fourth Tuesday of chittrai month the Annual festival will be celebrated for eight days. From the fourth day of the festival i.e., from Friday the temple car with Goddess Gowmari is being drawn in procession for four days. During the time of festival days thousands and thousands of devotees gather, worship and receive the blessings of the Gowmariamman. Temple Car festival is most popular during Chithirai Thiruvizha. Amman will give Dharshan to devotees in different appearances with flowers, fruits, etc. This festival is most popular in southern Tamil Nadu. Government arranges 24 hours bus services from all southern cities and towns of Tamil Nadu.
Agni Chatti
Devotees carry fire pots, that is clay pots filled with pieces of burning coal in their plain palms and walk around the temple
Maavizhakku
“Dough Lamp” is prepared by mixing Rice powder with jaggery, making the dough in the shape of a lamp. This is filled up with ghee and the dough lamp is lighted. Finally on the 7th day – “Pookuzhi Irangudhal” takes place – A pit is dug on the ground and is filled up with burning pieces of coal. People will see to that the coal pieces keep on burning throughout the night. Devotees will walk and pass through this pit chanting the name of the goddess loudly.
How To Reach Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple
Bus facilities are available from Madurai. The temple is close to Cumbum bus stand. The nearest railway station is Theni, Madurai. The nearest Airport is Madurai.
Temple Address
Gowmariamman Temple,
Veerapandi, Theni District, Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode – 625534.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To get cure from Measles and other diseases
- Child boon
- Long married life
Shlokas
Sarva Mangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaardha Saadhike, Saranye Tryambake Gauri Naarayani Namosthuthe
Meaning -We offer you our salutations, Oh auspicious Naraayani, who is the good of all good, who can achieve everything and can offer refuge, Oh three-eyed Gowri.
Saranaangatha Dheenaartha Parithraana Paraayane Sarvasyaarthi Hare Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe
Meaning -We offer salutations to you, Oh Narayani, who has the infinite power of creating, preserving and destroying. You are the basis and epitome of the 3 gunas.
Sarvaroope Sarvese Sarvasakthi Samanvithe, Bhayebhyastrahi No Devi Durge Devi Namosthuthe
Meaning -I offer my salutations to you mother Durga, who is present in all beings and has all power, save us from all our wrongdoings O mother of the universe.
Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Shakthi Roopena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha
Meaning -Salutations to the Goddess who resides as Shakti in all beings.
Timings
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.