Our Kula Deivam Sri Veeramathi Amman, Talkuni Erode District, Tamil Nadu - Annual Festival 2018.

02^nd August 2018.

Our Kulatheivam Sri Veeramathi Amman’s 2018, three-day annual festival was conducted from 31^st July 2018. Two separate functions are conducted for Sri Veeramathi Amman and Sri Karuppanna Swamy. The function was kick-started with a pooja to Sri Veeramathi Amman, followed by the bringing of holy water from River Bhavani at Nanjai Puliyampatti for Amman’s Abhishekam. Before this, all the gents and ladies who intended to bring Holy water wore the Kappu (the sacred thread tied on the right wrist to protect them). The Holy water was brought around 08.00 hrs, and they were welcomed from Akkarai Palayam Panchayat Office with mela tala and bursting of firecrackers. Vilakku pooja was conducted by the ladies. After Pooja to Amman, there is a function called Ammai azhaithal -அம்மை அழைத்தல் -(inviting the other female deities for Sri Veeramathi Amman’s Thirukalyanam - அம்மனின் திருக்கல்யானம் -, scheduled to be performed on 01^st August 2018) was conducted around midnight. A person of our Community, who was authorized to carry the pooja articles, called "padaikalam eduththal" - படைகளம் எடுத்தல் -to the Ammai, from Amman’s Temple.

On 1^st August 2018, sweet Pongal was prepared by the ladies, and the Ma Vilakku procession was also conducted from Sri Azhagu Rajaperumal Temple with mela tala and bursting of firecrackers. Annual festival pooja was conducted with Abhishekam to Amman.

Around 10.00 hrs after pooja to Sri Karuppanna Swamy and Kannimar, goats are being offered to Sri Karuppanna Swamy. The second part of the annual festival came to an end after serving the non-veg feast. The annual concluding special poojas called maru pooja were conducted to Sri Veeramathi Amman and Sri Karuppanna Swamy on Friday, the 3^rd of August 2018.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN.

Our Kuruppa nattu Kammalar (Vishwakarma) community people worshiped Sri Murugan of Arumalai at Thoranavavi, a small hill with 60 steps,  near Getticheviyur on Gobi to Tirupur Road. About 10 years ago, we were advised to worship Sri Veeramathi Amman as our Kula Deivam, a female deity at Talkuni near Kolappalur, Gobichettipalayam. The full history is not known, as to how they changed Sri Murugan to this Veeramathi Amman (somebody told me it was as per prasannam). But still, our community people worship both. It was also told that Amman was our ancestor, who lived and sacrificed her life for the well-being of our Community people. Hence, she is being worshiped as Kula Deivam.

Some of the function photographs are…

 Sri Veeramathi Amman

 Vilakku Pooja 

 Ammai azhaithal 

 Sri Karuppanna Swamy 

  Kannimar 

 Preparation of sweet pongal

 Ma – Vilakku pooja

 Ma – Vilakku pooja

Ma – Vilakku pooja

 Amman in alangaram after Abhishekam 

Shops 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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 – 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 

 Pooja to Sri Padavettamman 

 Pooja to Sri Padavettamman 

 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 

 Abhishekam to Amman 

 Abhishekam to Amman 

 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.

 Pooja to Sri Karuppanna Swamy 

 Saptamatrikas or Kannimars 

  

A musical treat 

The tablet contains the names of the donors for the expansions of the temple was opened by Mr T P Thangaraj of P R D Exports, Thiruchengode.

 

For the details and Photos of the annual functions held earlier: CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:--- 

Sri Veeramasti Amman Temple, Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Sri Ayyanar Temple, Sri Vinayagar Temple, Anjaneyar temple, Sri Chokkanathar Temple at Amarakunthi and Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Tharamangalam,

I had a chance to visit Amarakundhi / Amarakunthi to attend my co-brother's daughter’s marriage.  The Amarakundhi was once the capital of a small kingdom in Kongu Nadu,  ruled by the Gatti Mudali brothers, under the control of Madurai Nayaks during the eighteenth century (1700 to 1799).  Some of the Gatti Mudali kings, Mummudi Getti Mudali, Siyazhi Getti, Immudi Getti, and Vangamudi Gatti are responsible for the construction of the Tharamangalam Kailasanathar Temple (for details of my previous visit, CLICK HERE …. ), which is an architectural marvel temple. Many such small temples were also constructed during their period in their dynasty. Their ruling came to an end with the Chikka Devarayan of one of the Mysore kingdoms. Tharamangalam Vanangamudi Gatti Mudali and Senthamangalam Ramachandra Nayakar were defeated by Chikka Devarayan, who ruled for 31 years.

Other than the Tharamangalam Kailasanathar Temple, some of the temples are scattered in and around Tharamangalam. There are two such temples, a Vinayagar, and a Shiva temple still exist in Amarakaundhi. Visited the recent period temples like Veeramasti Amman (Veerammasti Amman – in Kannada). One thing I noticed was that some or others are kula Deivam for particular castes.  One of the common features of this temple is the Garuda thoon.

VEERAMASTI AMMAN TEMPLE.

This is called Veeramasti Amman in Kannada (might have the influence of the Mysore King's rule of this part of Kongu Nadu).  This Amman is the Kula Deivam for Chettiyar’s group. These Chettiars are Vaishnavites, who worship Lord Sri Vishnu.  In the sanctum, Amman is at the base of Lord Vishnu with Bhudevi and Sridevi.

Garudalwar, balipeedam, and Garudathoon are at the front of the temple, which is facing east.  This is a recent period temple.

VEERABHADRA SWAMY TEMPLE (VEERESWARAR).

This also belongs to the Sri Veerathanthi Maharishi Kothrampaleladu Vangusa Chettiar caste. The main Deity is Veerapathirar, in a standing posture, who is another form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva took this avatar to kill Dakshan. The temple faces east with a Garudathoon, and Rishabam is in front.  Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Siva Durgai are in Koshtam. This is the first time I have seen this Siva Durgai. The temple has all the features of Shiva temples.

SRI AYYANAR TEMPLE

This Iyannar also belongs to some caste, which is not known. This temple is very similar to any other Ayyanar temple, with a lot of stucco statues. This temple also belongs to a recent period.

VINAYAGAR TEMPLE

This temple belongs to the Getti Mudali period of the single mandapa type. The temple is in bad shape and may crumble at any time. The stones used are very similar to Tharamangalam Sri Kailasanathar temple. There are inscriptions on the steps.

ANJANEYAR  TEMPLE

This temple is also an old temple, but completely whitewashed with several coats.

SRI MEENAKSHI SAMETHA SRI CHOKKANATHAR TEMPLE

This temple is an old Shiva temple with all the features. The temple faces east with a Garudathoon at the front. There is no Rajagopuram, but with an entrance arch, balipeedam, and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance arch. Sannadhi for Rajaganapathy, Arumuga with Valli Devasena, Chandikeswarar, Sri Meenakshi Amman, and Navagrahas. Amman is facing east. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai are in koshtam. 

THARAMANGALAM SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE TANKS

Since I had visited the Sri Kailasanathar temple earlier, I skipped the temple and visited only the temple tanks. The tanks are with water and we could not see the steps' beauty. But the reliefs on all four sides of the steps are very beautiful. Some of them are...

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---