| Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman | |
|---|---|
Main Gopuram |
|
| Name | |
| Proper name: | Arulmigu Kondathu Kaliamman Temple |
| Devanagari: | श्री कोंदथू काली अम्मन मंदिर |
| Tamil: | அருள்மிகு கொண்டத்து காளியம்மன் திருக்கோவில் |
| Location | |
| Country: | India |
| State: | Tamil Nadu |
| District: | Erode |
| Location: | Pariyur, Gobichettipalayam |
| Architecture and culture | |
| Primary deity: | Arulmigu Kondathu Kari |
| Important festivals: | Car Festival, Pongal, Navaratri |
| Architectural styles: | Dravidian architecture |
Arulmigu Kondathu Kaliamman Temple(Tamil: அருள்மிகு கொண்டத்து காளியம்மன் திருக்கோவில்) is one of the famous Amman temples located in Pariyur near Gobichettipalayam in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. There are also other temples namely Sri Amarapaneeswarar Temple, Sri Adinarayana Perumal Temple and Sri Angalamman Temple nearby. Pariyur is located in the north western part of Tamil Nadu around 3 km from Gobichettipalayam. Its about 40 km from District headquarters Erode,45 km from Tirupur and 85 km from Coimbatore.Its about 390 km from Chennai and 280 km from Bangalore. It is moderate and humid for most of the year. The surrounding water logged rice fields contribute to the high humidity levels.
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The history of the temple dates centuries back. The temple is considered to be more than 1500 years old. The name Pariyur literally came from 'Pari' 'oor' meaning, 'place ruled by Pari'. Vēl Pāri was a great king who is considered in Tamil literature as one of the Kadai ēzhu vallal (literally meaning, the last of the 7 great patrons). Arulmigu Kondathu Kaliamman is a powerful Goddess who was the deity responsible for the prosperity of the country ruled by Pari.
The Amman temple has a five storey main Gopuram and the temple has an outer mandapam covering the inner sanctum made of black marble. There are intricate carvings on the pillars of the temple including a ball shaped of single stone inside the lion's mouth. Lion is considered as the main vahana(vehicle) of the Goddess. The main deity facing north, wears a crown of fire and is seen stamping a demon under her feet. The Goddess is considered to be a powerful protector against evil.
There is a vaikkal (canal) running near the temple which is situated among lush green fields. The temple has shrines dedicated to Siddhi Vinayagar, Sri Pon Kaliamman and Kannimar. There is a huge statue of Sri Maha Muniappan, who is regarded as the Saviour against fear and evil apart from granting boons for bearing children. The divine ropes offered to Sri Maha Muniappan and Sri Kondathu Kali are considered to provide protection against evil and ill health. Apart from this, there are deities of Kaval Deivam or Guardian Deities, Brahma and other Gods/Goddess. Inside the temple, we can see the statues of Brammahi, Maheshwari, Gowmari, Vaishnavi, Mahendri and Chamundi. There is a urchavar statue normally referred to as 'Chinna Amman' which is the miniature of the main Goddess.
There are also temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu also in Pariyur. The Shiva temple whose chief deity is Sri Amarapaneeswarar, is built fully of white marble and is a pleasure to visit. The chief deity of Vishnu temple is called Adhi Narayana Perumal which has a separate sannathi dedicated to Hanuman.
The famous 'Fire Walking Ceremony' (Kundam)is held during January every year. The kundam is 40 feet in length and lakhs visit the temple during this ceremony. The annual car festival is celebrated during that with grandeur. This temple attracts a large gathering from the surrounding places all the time. The annual festival lasts for about a month. It starts with 'poochatuthal' which marks the beginning of the festival period. About two weeks after that,comes a Monday when Amman is decorated in a sandal armour (santhana kaapu), a day after that Pongal is kept to honour the Goddess and ladies carry a sweet called 'pachai maavu' to be presented to the Goddess. The famous Kundam takes place the next day(Thursday) followed by the car festival, the following day(Friday). On the next day, the Goddess starts on a week long visit to the surrounding areas in a muthu palakku or pushpa palakku(caravan of flowers). The people of the surrounding areas receive the Goddess with prayer and offerings. Then finally she returns to the temple and the festival is complete. During the festival, a lot of people visit the temple to offer their prayers. A lot of temporary shops and others come up during this period synonymous with fairs in India.
The other festivals celebrated include Navaratri when the Amman poses in nine different forms, Chithirai Kani (Tamil New Year), Ambu Sevai(demonstration of Goddess killing a demon), Pongal and other Hindu festivals.
The Amarapaneeswarar Temple celebrates 'Pradosham' every month with grandeur and 'Maha Shivaratri' in a greater way.'Karthigai Deepam' is also celebrated grandly. The AdiNarayana Perumal Temple celebrates 'Vaikunta Ekadashi' in a grand manner apart from 'Hanumath Jayanthi', 'Rama Navami' etc.
There are also two old hill temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya at Pavalamalai and Pachaimalai, about 3 km from Pariyur. All Saivite, Koumaram and Hindu festivals are celebrated at these two temples, especially 'Thaipusam' in Jan/Feb, 'Panguni Uthiram' in March, and 'Skanda Sashti' in Oct/Nov.
Because of the cultural and religious importance, people prefer Pariyur for marriages of their kith and kin. People as far as from Delhi with roots in Tamil Nadu conduct their marriage rituals here. There is a marriage hall which was constructed newly at a cost of over 60 lakhs.
The temple is open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Abisegam and Puja is performed thrice daily on a normal day at 5.00 am, 11.00 am and at 5.00 pm. Archanai is performed all the time and Prasadham can be got from a stall dedicated to it.
To decide on anything, people around the area ask the decision of the Goddess through a special practice known as "Vaaku Kettal (வாக்கு கேட்டல்)". They keep flowers on both the sides of the Goddess Kaliamman and the decision depends upon the flower which falls from the statue of the Goddess. The Goddess is specially dressed in sandal paste or turmeric paste during festivities.
The temple which was old and in a dilpliated condition centuries ago was constructed into a grand one around 70 years ago by P.S.Muthuvelappa Gounder & P.S.Nalla Gounder of Pudupalayam, Gobichettipalayam. Kudu Muzhukku or Kumbhabhishekam is performed once in 12 years.
A mid day free meal is provided to the poor in accordance with the chief minister's free anna dhaanam project.
A 'Thanga Ratham' or Golden Chariot, made for the Goddess was unveiled recently. The Goddess will be taken for a procession around the temple premises in the Golden chariot. There are already two large Temple cars dedicated to the Goddess. The Temple cars are usually used for the procession during the festival times.
A Golden Armor or 'Kavacha' is also being made for the Goddess.
The deity is considered to be the Kula Deivam (or the Deity of the clan) of the Gounder(Kongu Vellalar) cast in and around Pariyur. The Gounders belonging to Pari-ooraan kulam of Vadakarai Vellalar(Narambu Katti Gounders) have Kondathu Kaliamman as their Kula Deivam. The Gounders maintain the temple and renovate the same.
The temple is also famous for the films that were shot here. Many Tamil and Malayalam films have been shot, in and around the temple.
Pariyur is situated on a major Highway connecting Gobichettipalayam and Anthiyur. Bus services are available frequently from Gobichettipalayam. In order to get there by road, reach Gobichettipalayam and travel further 3 km to reach Pariyur. By rail, reach Erode(40 km) and then travel by road via Gobichettipalayam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 85 km away. The following table gives the distance from major cities:
| Sl no | City | Distance (in km) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gobichettipalayam | 3 |
| 2 | Erode | 40 |
| 3 | Tirupur | 45 |
| 4 | Coimbatore | 85 |
| 5 | Chennai | 390 |
| 6 | Salem | 100 |
| 7 | Trichy | 160 |
| 8 | Mysore | 163 |
| 9 | Tirunelveli | 350 |
| 10 | Madurai | 230 |
| 11 | Bangalore | 250 |