VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Veeramathi Amman / ஸ்ரீ வீரமாத்தி அம்மன் கோயில், and Sri Karuppana Swamy Temple, Annual Festival 2016, தாழ்குணி / Talguni, Erode District, Tamil Nadu

Friday, 22 July 2016

Sri Veeramathi Amman / ஸ்ரீ வீரமாத்தி அம்மன் கோயில், and Sri Karuppana Swamy Temple, Annual Festival 2016, தாழ்குணி / Talguni, Erode District, Tamil Nadu

22^nd July 2016.

The annual festival of our Kula Deivam Sri Veeramathi Amman, at Talkuni, near Kolapalur, was celebrated this year on 20^th July and 21^st July 2016. This Sri Veeramathi Amman belongs to a section of Viswakarmas of Kuruppu nadu in Kongu mandalam (During Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara kings ruled the present Coimbatore, Erode, Salem districts, which were called Kongu mandalam, and the same was divided into 24 subdivisions, and one of the subdivisions is Kuruppa Nadu with Vijayamangalam as the head headquarters) and worshiped as Kula Deivam.

The festival will be held during 1^st week of every year. This year I was fortunate to attend both days' functions. Since it is a village god, the temple is a little way from the village. Talkuni and poojas are performed by a non-Brahmin priest, usually called a poojari. Kannimar and Karuppaswamy are in the adjacent building. The Poojas conducted are typical Village type and not confirmed to any agamas.

TIRTH POT ( KUDAM ) PROCESSION

On 19^th July 2016, afternoon, A batch of 20 people went to the Bhavani river (Puliampatti), 12 km away from Gobichettipalayam, and brought theertham for abhishekam, usually called as “Abhisheka tirtha kudam“. The abhisheka tirtha kudams are brought to the temple in procession with melathalam and fireworks (Musical Instruments like Thavil, Nathaswaram, Pambai are played. A few ladies also danced to the tune of music, called “sami aduthal” throughout the procession.

Abhisheka Theertha kudam procession with melathalam

Abhisheka Theertha kudam procession – Ladies dancing – Sami Aduthal

Abhisheka Theertha kudam procession

Abhisheka Theertha kudam was kept at the temple after the procession

AMMAI AZHAITHAL (அம்மை அழைத்தல்) (INVITING THE OTHER GODS FOR THE FUNCTION )

This function is used called “ammai azhaithal”, is to invite other gods, right from Sri Vinayagar, to all the Ammans of Tamil Nadu (Mari Amman, Kali Amman, etc). The Pooja was offered to a very small linga-shaped stone, called Padavettamman, on a small platform. The offerings are brought from the temple with mela thalam by a person who has the authority of the same village. At the end of the pooja, the pambai musician invites all the gods to attend Sri Veeramathi Amman’s thiru Kalyana urchavam (ie, the annual function and not the usual thirukalyana functions held at Shiva or Vishnu temples).

Pooja to Sri Padavettamman

AMMAN ABHISHEKAM.

On the 20th July morning, around 07.00 hrs, the Abhishekam was done to Sri Vinayagar, Sri Veeramathi Amman, and Sri Murugan, with the abhisheka theertham brought from the river Bhavani. After Abhishekam, the mavilakku was brought to the temple by a group of Ladies after performing a small pooja at Sri Azhagu Raja Perumal Temple with melethalam. Pooja was performed to Sri Veeramathi Amman after the mavilakku reached the temple. Abhisheka Panchamirtham and prasadam sarkarai (sugar) Pongal was distributed to the Devotees.

Maavilakku at Sri Azhagu Raja Perumal temple

Mavilakku procession

Maavilakku procession was received at the temple, and a pumpkin was cut to remove thiristi (to remove bad happenings)

Abhishekam to Amman

Amman in Santhana alangaram after Abhishekam

THE PERUM POOJA TO SRI KARUPPANNA SWAMY.

After the pooja to Sri Veeramathi Amman, the perum Pooja was started to Sri Karuppanna Swamy, and non-vegetarian prasadam was offered after sacrificing the goats and cocks. A separate poojari conducted the pooja for Sri Karuppanna Swamy with the mouth covered. During that time, Kannaimars are covered with cloth. The non-vegetarian prasadams are distributed to were distributed to the devotees.