Salem Kottai Mariamman Temple is one of the oldest pilgrimage center located on the banks of River Tirumanimuthar in Salem District, Tamil Nadu State. The presiding deity is Sri Kottai Mariamman. The most interesting feature of this temple is the Shevapet Mariamman Temple Car Festival, which takes place in this temple every year between July and August and lasts for a week.
This Amman temple was built during the period of the Chera kings, as the present-day Salem district is owned by Chera Nadu. The Mariamman Temple, known as Kottai Periya Mari, was the guardian deity of Salem Fort during the pre-British period. The guardian deity, namely the goddess Periya Mariamman, was worshiped by the people of Salem for decades.
Special Abhishekas are performed from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM till the closes. Charges for special occasions vary depending on the festival. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Vinayak Chaturthi, Navratri, Deepawali, Karthika, Thai Pongal and Shivaratri are the major ones. The most important festival is the Aadi Festival celebrated in the Aadi month. It is celebrated for 22 days where millions of people visit the temple.
The Goddess was then brought to the present place on the Eastern bank of the famous Thirumanimuthu Aaru (river), by Kanakasabhai Mudaliar, Siva Sankara Mudaliar, Kumbabishekam was conducted later on and the Goddess Periya Mariamman is being worshipped by the people of Salem District.
The goddess is known as Malaimari. Mari means rain. So when the rain falls, the devotees pray to this goddess for it to rain. Abishekam and festivals are held in honor of Malaimari to get enough rain and help them avoid drought and produce agricultural products.
Archanai, Abhisekam, Ma Vilaku, Pongal Vaithal, Palikai, Tonsuring are performed here.
Salem Kottai Mariamman Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM
Evening: 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Selam Mariamman Temple Address:
Fairlands Main Road,
I Agraharam,
Salem,
Tamil Nadu – 636001.