Mariamman temple no 4 veerapandi

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[edit] History

In the early sixteenth century, Mughals were successful in fortifying their hold in North India. They slowly but steadily started conquering South India also. Except for Akbar, who is known for his 'Din-I-Ilahi', other Mughal emperors had very less or no religious tolerance. Due to forced conversions and disrespect to their culture and belief, Hindus in the Middle India started moving towards the Non-Mughal occupied South India.

The Hindus were not allowed to migrate out of the Mughal empire. During their migration, to safeguard their beliefs and culture and to protect it from Muslim vandalism, Hindus carried the Idols of their Gods with them. They believed in the God they were carrying and started towards South India through the forest covered, hilly ghats terrain. They crossed hundreds of thousands of kilometers from the present Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Karnataka regions by foot to Tamil Nadu.

A group of people from the present Mysore region settled down in Veerapandi, Coimbatore. They constructed a temple for the Goddess "Marriamman" that they have brought along with them. This Goddess is believed to cure all the eye diseases. Even today, "The Theertha" - a mixture of various medicinal plant leaves, is kept at the Goddess and then given to the sick people. And this mixture is applied to the eyes and is believed to cure the disease in 48 days. category:Marriamman Temple

[edit] Requesting permission from Amman

Devotees of this Amman, for all the functions, like marriages, starting new business, buying new vehicles, building new house, etc., get the permission from Amman and then started them. This is called as Poo Varam Kettal. Amman’s order has never failed till today. If Amman has not agreed to do things, then the devotees will never do that. They will fight to the death in honor of their Amman

[edit] Yearly Festival

Every year, during the month of may or June, the festival for the goddess mariamman is held. It comes in the Tamil month Vaikasi. Hence, the festival is so called vaikasi Thiruvilza. The festival usually starts on the New moon day and ends in Full moon day of every year Tamil month Vaikasi .

The Devotees believe that the near by village, Nayakanur is called as the home of the Bridegroom and No-4 veerapandi is called the home of the bride. The festival is celebrated in such a way that all the devotees of amman, will take bath in the well, which is called Amman’s Punitha Theertha and fulfill all their prayers in her temple on that day. On the festival day, Amman’s jewels and her dress all were kept in a box which is called the padaikalam. In this box, god Vishnu, brother of Amman is kept. This has the meaning that god Vishnu is bringing dowry to her sister on her marriage day.

The festival is celebrated in such a way that there is no partiality between the Shaivam and Vhainavam. This festival is being celebrated for more than 100 years. Large novelty knives are produced at the festival, and isinglass.

A team called Sri Ramar Bhajanai Kulzhu plays an important role in celebrating Amman’s festival. This team was started before 100 years, till today it is functioning well. It functions in such a way that they conduct bhajans, speeches of swamijis, help to celebrate the festival with full success. In the month of February 2007, the Maha Sandi yagha was celebrated in Amman’s temple for the sake of world peace. During this function more that 10,000 people participated and made this yagha a grand success.

Every year during festival more cultural programs are conducted especially karagattam,Poovodu eduthal. It is a common festival for all the villages around the temple approx 50 villages.

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