Periya Mariamman koil of Ramanathapuram
Compiled by
P.R.Ramachander
Pookuzhi which literally means
“Pit of Flowers” is the pit of
burning embers kept free of ashes by
fanning the pit. This is very common
in many of the Mariyamman temples as well as Draupadi amman
temples in Tamil Nadu. Normally male
and female devotees after observing penance
and drenched by bath of turmeric water , enter this Pookuzhi and walk through it. It is a great miracle nothing happens to any of them.
But there is a Mariamman temple in Ramanathapuram town called Periya Mariyamman temple where entry in to
the pookuzhi is banned to the fairer
sex.. The temple believes that since the marriage of a girl is done with fire
as witness, they should not enter the Pookuzhi. However the men who walk over
the pookuzhi , take the burning embers from the pookuzhi by a spade and
pour it over the heads of the female
devotees who had observed penance.
Nothing happens to any of the ladies.
This temple is situated is situated about half a km distance
from the new Bus stand of Ramanathapuram town. It is believed that one very old
king of the Sethupathi dynasty after he defeated the Mysore kings was attacked
by small pox. The present temple at that
time was situated in a locality called Alli kulam. The king as per the advice
of people worshipped the goddess and was cured of the dreadful disease. One of
his descendents called Ramanatha
Sethupathi , joined three
cultivation water reserves by a canal and diverted the income generated by it for the upkeep of this temple, Many
Sethupathis then took lot of interest in the development of this temple. Slowly it became a bog temple and hence was called the Periya Mariamman
temple. This goddess is very famous for curing of poxes, ensuring long married
life as well gifting of progeny. Apart from Mariamman, this temple also has
Gods like Durgai amman, Chandana Mariamman, Rakkachi Amman , Kurathi Amman, Lord Ganesa, Young
lord Subramanya, , Karupannachami, Pathittu padi Karuppan and Kala BHairavar.
There is alsoi a temple of snake pit and a temple dedicated to the old King
Sethupathi who started it all. Ithi tree
and Malai Vembu are the temple trees.
The temple is open
from 6Am to 10 Am and 6 PM to 8 PM.
However on Tuesdays and Fridays it is open from 6 Am to 2 Pm and 6 Pm to 9 Pm.
The main festival
is the Festival of Pookuzhi which is held in Panguni (March-April) . Apart from this Chithra pournami festival , and Navarathri
are celebrated in the temple . All
Fridays of Adi month (July-August) and
Thai (January-February ) are also
festival days.
Thanks Mr P R R for the wonderful write up on Goddess
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Goddess to bless you and your team for the efforts taken to share the information with all lay readers and interested person around the world.
Kasturi G
Thanks Mr P R R for the wonderful write up on Goddess
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Goddess to bless you and your team for the efforts taken to share the information with all lay readers and interested person around the world.
Kasturi G