Blog Archive

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple

Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple- Tamil Nadu

Irrukkankudi, the land where rivers Vaipparu and Arjuna meet

Is home to a temple more than 500 years old 

Maa Mariamman sits with her right leg folded,

A posture that’s the opposite of how she adorns the throne 

In the rest of her aalayas. 

Source: RVA Temples

Under the beautiful vimana of the aalyam

Lay the artha mandao and maha mandap

Nandeeswara and Kodimaram align outside

Vinayaka rests under the Arasa Maram 

Vazha Vandha Amma* and Rakachi Amman* sit on the west

Pechi Amman* and Muppdari Amman* have their shrines on the northwest

Kathavarayan* and Vairavamurthi* are at the east 

Karuppusami* has the southeast corner to himself

The bhakts worship the devas and devis in order 

None walking out of turn to change the tradition

Source: Maalai Malar

The story of Mariamman comes from 300 years ago 

When a poojari saw a woman 

Trying to lift a basket full of cow dung 

The poojari and others tried their best to help 

But the efforts went in vain until the woman called out

In a voice that wasn’t her own

Source: ePuja

In the ground below the basket 

Lay the murti of Mariamman 

Waiting to be dugout and cleaned 

To be built a proper abode in the village 

As she would sit guard and keep them safe. 

*********

Note: 

Vazha Vandha Amma, Rakachi Amman, Pechi Amman, Muppdari Amman, Kathavarayan, Vairavamurthi, and Karuppusami are local deities. 

*******************************************************************************

Source: 

https://www.templeshistory.in/2020/07/irukkankudi-mariamman-temple-timings.html 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariamman_Temple,_Irukkankudi 

********************************************************************************

#FreeHinduTemples



14 comments:

  1. Very nice.. Like your style, a lot can be said in a nice little poem without wading through a lot of literature. Kudos and best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The first poem took me a while to read. Wanted to get the words right. Looked out for the stars. :-D

    Well put. I am happy knowing about the deity. Loved the second poem. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha... Thank you. It was tricky and looked like I had to include them in the poem. :D

      Delete
  3. Loved the poetic way you have used to tell about irukkankudi mariamman temple. Thanks for sharing. I have often heard songs of mariamman now I can connect the deity too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoyed the history and story of this temple Sri. Thank you.
    Question: Does the 'right leg folded' have any significance/symbolism?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Arti. :)
      Yes, it does. Her murti has a standard posture with left leg folded and right one dangling over the edge of the throne. Only in this temple, she sits with her right leg folded and left one down the throne.

      Delete
  5. Srivalli, thank you for this wonderful post. I have come seen pictures of temples devoted to Mariamma in the Caribbean islands. There she's called Mariammen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome. :D
      Oh, that's amazing! I googled the temple you mentioned, and got to know a little piece of history. Thank you for sharing it me.

      Delete
  6. I wonder why she sits with her right leg folded... Is there some spiritual meaning assigned to it too?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried to find the reason for this, but couldn't. :(
      Guess the locals would know.

      Delete