Samayapuram Mariamman Temple Timings, History

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is an ancient goddess Durga temple situated in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Samayapurathal or Mariamman is the main deity, Here Aadi Shakthi is made of sand and clay like many of the traditional Mariamman deities is considered as most powerful Goddess, and hence unlike many other Hindu deities there are no abhishekams conducted to the main deity, but instead, the “Abishekam” is performed to a small stone statue in front of the main Idol.

It is believed by the devotees that the Goddess has enormous powers over curing illnesses and hence, it is a ritual to buy small metallic replicas, made with silver or steel, of various body parts that need to be cured, and these are deposited in the donation box. Devotees also offer Mavilakku a sweet dish made of jaggery, rice flour and ghee. Offerings of raw salt are also made to the Goddess by the rural devotees. A huge number of devotees visit this temple on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Samayapuram is the second most wealthy temple in Tamil Nadu after Palani.

Devotees believe that the Goddess has enormous powers to cure illnesses and that is why it is a ritual to purchase small metallic, silver, or steel replicas of various body parts which are to be healed, and these are deposited in Hundis. Devotees also offer Mavilakku, a sweet dish made from brown sugar, rice flour and ghee. Rural devotees also make offerings of raw salt to the Goddess. A large number of devotees visit this temple on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

• Samayapuram is the second richest temple in Tamil Nadu after Palani.
• Women devotees offer their Mangalyam/Thali/Mangal Sutra, as part of their prayer and donate it to temple Hundi.
• The Goddess goes through a 28-day fasting period for the welfare of human beings (starting from the last Sunday of the Tamil month Maasi). Only fruits and flour are offered to the Goddess as Naivedyam during her fasting. Marking the end of her fast, a unique Abhishekam is performed, i.e. a sacred washing of the deity with only flowers. This occasion is celebrated as the “Poo Choriyal festival”.
• In the Samayapuram temple, the presiding deity Samapurathal can be seen from the main entrance of the temple, as this is only possible in very few temples.

Mariamman Temple Darshan Timings: 5: 30 AM to 9:00 PM

Samayapuram Amman Temple Schedule:

Maha Kumbabishekam rituals, homam and poojas, 08:30 AM
Deeparadana – 12:00 Noon
Homam – 05:30 PM
Poornahuthi – 08:30 PM
Dress Code: Any decent outfit.
Darshan waiting time: 30 – 45 mins.

Samayapuram Temple History:

Samayapuram Sri Mariamman is a much-adored deity but unfortunately, the historicity of the shrine and its divinity could not be traced in the absence of any inscriptions in the temple or elsewhere so far.

Though empirically the antiquity of the Samaypuram temple or its principal deity could not be established, the mythological belief gives a free run to several theories. The Bhagavatha Purana says Shakti is the celebrated sister power of Sri Krishna, having been born as Maayadevi or Mahamaaya to Yashoda and Nanda of Gokulam.

Sri Krishna, born to Vasudeva and Devaki at Mathura, was entrusted with Yasodha while Yasodha’s own daughter Mahamaaya was relocated to the Mathura Prison where Devaki’s brother Kamsa tries to slay Her when the Almighty Adi Para Shakti reveals Her true self and escapes Kamsa’s clutches. In that, the Adi Para Shakti is believed to be the sister of Lord Vishnu, with Lord Krishna being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Yet another legend points to the relationship between the Mahakali, worshipped fervently by the famed King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, and the Mariamman here at Samayapuram. According to this category of belief, vouched for by a section of the Archakas at this temple, Mahakaali transformed Herself into Mariamman. It is important to note here that “Maari’’ in Tamil means transform and not far off the Samayapuram is the place Maahalikudi where the Ujjaiani Om Kaliamman temple is located. There one could see a slew of subjects, like statues of Kali, and Vedhal associated with the legend of King Vikramaditya. “Maari’’ is also referred to as rain and in Samayapuram the deity is deeply associated with “shower of grace’’.

There are also stories that the Sri Mariamman Utsava (processional) idol was once adored by the Vijayanagar emperors and after their downfall, was brought to the present-day Samayapuram in Tamil Nadu in an ivory palanquin. Later, the Nayak king Sri Vijayarenga Chokkanathar raised a separate temple for the deity at Kannanur. The pillars of the Mandapam adjacent to the scared flag mast sport idols of Nayak kings testifying to their contributions of them to Sri Mariamman.

By all accounts, it could safely be ascertained that the Samayapuram Sri Mariamman temple is more than 700 years old, having been a witness to the rise and fall of many Chola, Pandya, Hoysala and Nayak royals.

Samayapuram Mariyamman Festivals:

Chitrai:- grand chariot festival is held on the first Tuesday, the processional deity is taken to the nearby village Inam Samayapuram on the eighth day, Ambal is taken astride the Velli (Silver) Kudirai Vahanam on the ninth day and the main chariot festival is held on the tenth day.

Vaikasi:- Vasanthotsavam (Pancha Prakara Utsavam) is being conducted. The Pancha Prakara Utsavam is spread over a period of eighteen days at present.

Aani:- Special pujas are performed during Ashtami, Pradosham, Amavasya (New Moon Day) and Pournami (Full Moon Day).

Aadi:- Teerthavari ritual is conducted in the benign presence of the Ambal at the Peruvalai Vaikkal.

Aavani:- Special Abishekam and poojas are being conducted on the four Sundays of the Tamil month Aavani during which the processional deity is taken around the streets of the village on Yanai (elephant), Thanga Simham (Golden Lion), Kamadhenu and Rishabham (Bull) Vahanams.

Purattasi:- Navaratri and Vijayadasami are celebrated in a grand manner.

Aippasi:- On Mahalaya Amavasya day the processional deity is seated at the Vasantha Mandapam where special Abishekam and poojas would be performed.

Karthikai:- Deepam festival, Karthikai Deepam festival, the unique Pancha Mahadeeparathanai will be performed at the Moolasthanam when the deity will be draped in a white saree, the only day when she is attired in white.

Margazhi:- Special Thiruveedhi Ula (procession) and Abishekam will be performed on Thiruvathirai Nakshatra day

Thai:- Thai Poosam.

Masi:- Pachai Pattini Vridham for 28 days commencing the last Sunday of the Masi month and ending on the last Sunday of the succeeding Panguni month, for the welfare of the worldly beings and as a mark of ridding Herself of any affliction on account of slaying the Maayasura. During the penance period, no cooked food is offered to Amabal as Nivedhanam. Saltless buttermilk, sugar cane juice, Paanagam (a drink using jaggery), tender coconut and fruits besides the special Thullu Maavu (pounded rice flour) only will be offered as Nivedhanam to the deity. This is the most important ritual, not a festivity though, of the Samayapuram temple.

Panguni:- Panguni Uthram special Abishekam and other attendant rituals will be performed to the deity. As the deity will be on the ritualistic fasting penance for twenty-eight days, the days are spent in a rather pious manner.

Mariyamman Temple Subtemple:

Arulmigu Aadhi Mariamman Temple, Inam Samayapuram
Arulmigu Ujjaini Om Kaliamman Temple, Maakalikudi
Arulmigu Bhojeeswarar Temple, Samayapuram
Arulmigu Mukteeswarar Temple, Maakalikudi
Arulmigu Sellandiamman Temple, Samayapuram

How to Reach Samayapuram Mariamman Temple:

By Air:
Tiruchirappalli International Airport is 21.6 km.
Coimbatore International Airport is 212 km.
Chennai International Airport is 292 km.

By Rail:
Tiruchirappalli Railway Station is the nearest station which is just 19.7 km.

By Road:
Trichy is well-connected to all major cities. Amman temple is 20 km. Private Taxis, Busses, and Autos are available from Tiruchirappalli Central Bus Stand.

Samayapuram Temple Teerthams:

Sakthi Teertham
Mahamayi Teertham
Sarveswara Teertham
Jatayu Teertham
Ganga Teertham

Samayapuram Mariyamma Temple Address:

Arulmigu Mariyamman Thirukkovil,
Samayapuram,
Tiruchirappalli,
TamilNadu – 621112.
Office Number: 0431 – 2670460
Interior Office: 0431 – 2670907
Guest House Number: 0431 – 2670055

Arulmigu Mariamman Temple Map: