Punnainallur Mariamman Temple

Overview

Punnai Nallur Mariamman temple is a Hindu temple located at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple of goddess Mariamman is one of the famous temples around Thanjavur District. There is an important temple at Punnai nallur, 6 miles from Tanjore, dedicated to Mariamman.

The Sthala- Puranam states that, before waging a war with the demon Tanja of Tanjore, Lord Siva stationed the Ashta Saktis (eight powers) one at each of the eight directions, and the one stationed at the eastern direction is now the presiding deity of this temple.

Goddess Mariamman, a manifestation of Shakti, was worshipped here in the form of an anthill for a long time. It was only in the 18th century that a temple was built here. The seven-tiered gopuram came up recently. It is still maintained by the descendants of the royal family of Thanjavur.

The goddess is also called Muthu Mariamman because drops of moisture, like pearls (Tamil: pearls - Muthu) appear on the face and head of the granite statue from time to time.

About The Temple

In the first half of the 18th Century, King Thulaja is believed to have constructed a small temple with a single prakara for Goddess Ambigai at the place where the pit was located. Between 1798 AD and 1832 AD, King Sarabhoji II constructed the Maha Mandapa, Narthana Mandapa, the tall front temple tower and the 2nd Prakara. Subsequently, a third prakara and the outer walls were constructed.

The temple was fully renovated a couple of years back and sports a new fresh look. The main entrance of Punnainallur Mariamman Temple features a recently built Rajagopuram (temple tower) with seven tiers. The Dhwajasthambham (flag pole) and the Balipeedam (platform for food offerings) are in the first praharam (enclosure). This area also contains Naga deities (the snake gods) and a Vasantha Mandapam (hall).

As Punnainallur Mariamman is a self-manifested natural phenomenon, the famous sage, Sadhasiva Brahmendrar, a saint and composer of Carnatic music in Sanskrit and an Advaita philosopher from the 18th century, visited this temple. He installed the sacred symbol called Srichakram and shaped a face of Mariamman over the Puttru (anthill). Therefore, no Abhishekam (ablution) is performed on the image. Instead the goddess’s image is coated with punugu - the oily, perfumed secretion of the civet cat. People pay special fees to see Mariamman adorned in a golden pavadai (long skirt) and blouse. The skirt, that is beautifully pleated and etched as if it were made of fabric, is a truly magnificent piece of adornment.

The Abhishekam is performed to the Utsavar Murthy (processional deity), called Vishnu Durgai, near the sanctum. Once in five years Thailabishekam (punugu sattam or application) is performed for 48 days over the Puttru. During this ritual period, devotees can pay respects only to a curtain drawn in front of the goddess with an image of Amman featured on it.

During summer, you can see little drops of water—sweat—on the face and forehead of Mariamman. Water is filled in the area around the goddess’s image to reduce the heat in the sanctum.

Other deities like Vinayaka (Ganesha the elephant-headed god) and his brother Subrahmanya/ Muruga can be seen in the Punnainallur Mariamman Temple in their own little shrines. An image of Sage Sadhasiva Brahmendrar is also placed inside the main temple. To the left of the sanctum there is a shrine for Peechhi (Pechchi) Amman, a form of Rajarajeshwari (Parvathi) and another village goddess.

Legend and Stories

Lord Shiva waging Battle with Tanjan Asuran

Once Lord Shiva had to wage a battle against a demon called Tanjan Asuran. The story goes that before waging the war, Shiva installed one of the Ashta Shaktis (eight goddesses) in each of the eight directions. It is said that the Shakti installed in the eastern direction is now called Punnainallur Mariamman.

Venkoji dream on pilgrimage to Samayapuram

The Maratha King Venkoji Maharaja Chatrapathi was a devotee of Mariamman. He decided to go on a pilgrimage to Tiruchirapalli to visit the other powerful village goddess called Samayapuram Mariamman. On his way he rested under the shade of a tree. Suddenly in his dream Mariamman showed up and told him that she could be found in a forest of Punnai trees about three miles from Thanjavur. The King rushed to that spot and he saw a Puttru or a white anthill. Over this anthill he built the Punnainallur Mariamman Temple’s present structure.

The Maratha rulers Thulaja and Serfoji also worshiped here and renovated the temple during their rule. It is said that the daughter of Tulaja Raja (1729-35) of Thanjavur lost her eyesight in an illness and regained it after offering worship at this temple. The Mariamman Temple is still maintained by the descendants of the royal family of Thanjavur.

History

In the year 1680, when the Maharashtra king Venkoji Maharaja Chatrapatti (1676–1688) of Tanjore was on a pilgrimage at Samayapuram, where there is a famous temple dedicated to Kali, Mariamman appeared to the King in his dream and told him -that she (the idol) was in a forest of Punnai trees at a distance of about 3 miles from Tanjore. The King lost no time in rushing to the spot indicated to him and recovered the idol from the jungle.

A temple was constructed at the place and the idol installed and so the deity of this temple is known as Punnainallur Mariamman. It is said that the daughter of Tulaja Raja (1729–35) of Tanjore, who lost her eyesight in an illness, regained it on offering worship at this temple.

Festivals

In general all Fridays are special; in particular the Fridays of the Tamil month Aadi will be more special. Devotees throng the temple in August/September, the season which relates a lot with this goddess. Sundays are considered to be the most auspicious days for worshipping the Goddess, when huge crowds mainly consisting of womenfolk and children pay their homage.

In the month of ‘Purattasi’ (September-October) the Floating Festival (Theppam) takes place in the holy tank located at the temple. Brahmotsavam takes place in the months of ‘Adi-Avani’ (August). Navarathri, Mahasivarathri are the famous festivals celebrated here.

Brahmotsavam

Brahmotsavam, the main festival of the Punnainallur Mariamman is celebrated in Adi (July-August). In this month there is a special procession of Muthu Mariamman in a highly decorated pearl palanquin.

Chariot Festival

The Car/Chariot Festival takes place on the last Sunday of Aavani (August-September).

Theppam or Tank Festival

In Purattasi (September-October) the Theppam or Float Festival is performed in the holy tank of the temple. A floating structure carries the image of the goddess and is lit brilliantly with many lamps. As it moves across the waters, it creates a heavenly spectacle.

Rituals

There is no daily Abhishekam for the Goddess Mariamman in this temple. Once in five years, Goddess Mariamman is anointed with a Thailabishekam (oil application continuously for 48 days). During this period, it is believed that her powers increase manifold and she is offered coconut water and curds (yoghurt) to cool her down.

Significance

Pechchi Amman is believed to protect and remove the fear of children who cry at imaginary things. People suffering from eye problems offer worship to Mariamman.

Punnainallur Mariamman Temple is popular with devotees who seek cures for skin problems. They come here to pray for relief from measles, chicken pox and skin sores.

Devotees come here and offer their prayers for one week to be healed from all kinds of illnesses. They drink the milk offered during the four poojas performed to the goddess every day. People pay special fees to see Mariamman adorned in a golden pavadai (long skirt) and blouse.

How To Reach Arulmigu Punnainallur Mariamman Temple, Punnainallur

Air

The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), 58-km away.

Rail

The nearest railway station is at Thanjavur, which is directly connected by rail to Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Chennai. Auto from Railway Station to Mariamman temple will cost Rs. 75-100. There is also a Mariamman koil railway station on the Thanjavur- Thiruvarur Rail route but this is a little far from the temple.

Road

Tourists can access Punnainallur by road from Thanjavur, which is just 6 miles away. Regular government bus services are available from Thanjavur.

Buses (towards Ammapet/ Nagapattinam) are available for every 15minutes from old bus stand/Railway Station. Also, mini buses ply between old bus stand and Mariamman temple.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Punnainallur Mariamman Temple,
Mariamman koil (P.O),Punnainallur,
Thanjavur District,Tamil Nadu, India.