The temple was built around the swayambu. She also chose this place to stay as wished by the devotees as a Swaymbu. She appeared in Her true divine form as Ambica. A woman came to this place, offered turmeric and neem leaves – manjal and veppilai in Tamil. Residents of this region were affected by serious diseases and were at a loss not knowing what to do. Devotees offer their prayers by walking on the fire pit and carrying fire pots. The 21 day Chithirai festival is very grandly celebrated in the temple. She comes in procession around the prakara in a palanquin carried by women only. This darshan is rarely missed by devotees of the place.
Veerapandi mariamman skin#
To emphasize the philosophy that Shiva and Shakti are but one, and also as Mariamman represents Shakti, She is dressed as Lord Shiva with a forehead eye and crescent moon, udukkai and trident in hands and clad in a tiger skin design cloth on the Shivrathri festival day.Īccording to Shiva puja rules, 6 pujas are performed on Shivrathri. Women praying for the safety and longevity of their Mangal Sutras pray near the stone post with turmeric abishek and offer jasmine and lime fruit garlands. During the Chithirai festival a neem tree post with three branches is placed near Ambica with all music rituals. There is a stone post opposite the shrine which is regarded as the Lord (husband) of Ambica. Women seeking child boon pray with bangles. It is the staunch belief of the people that any disease prolonged or terminally threatening would disappear with the grace of Ambica. As Ambica blesses the devotees from their ailments, she is praised as Maruthuvachi, meaning a lady doctor. Darshan of swayambu Ambica is available only during abishek. The first puja is dedicated to Swayambu and to idol Ambica next. As the temple was raised in the Linga form, the Goddess is dressed as God Shiva and poojas are performed accordingly.Īmbica Goumari Amman appears with Udukkai, sword, gadkam and skull in her hands. Goddess Gaumariamman presides here in the form of a Linga. Gowmariamman temple is built by the Pandya King Veera Pandi during 14th Century. Goddess Gowmariamman is the main god of this village. The famous Mullai River flows viz this town, the festival in Gowmarriamman temple is very famous. This town is located at 80 km west of the Madurai and 8 km from Theni. Veerapandi is a panchayat town in Theni district in Tamil Nadu. Gowmariamman temple is located in the veerapandi village.