The Hindu Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple is situated in Thanjavur, temples in Tamilnadu, India. One of the well-known temples in the Thanjavur District is the shrine dedicated to the goddess Mariamman. Six miles from Tanjore, at Punnai Nallur, there is a significant temple devoted to Mariamman.
According to the Sthala Puranam, Lore Siva positioned the Ashta Saktis (eight powers) in each of the eight directions before engaging in combat with the demon Tanja of Tanjore. The deity currently in charge of this temple is the one positioned in the eastern direction.
It is an example of Dravida temple architecture in its authentic form and a symbol of the Tamil civilization of Southern India as well as the ideology of the Chola Empire. “Testifies to Chola’s brilliant achievements in architecture, painting, bronze casting, and sculpture” is the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
For a very long time, the goddess Mariamman—a manifestation of Shakti—was revered in this location as an anthill. This site did not have a temple constructed until the eighteenth century. The gopuram with seven tiers appeared recently. The Thanjavur royal family’s descendants continue to maintain it.
The goddess is also known as Muthu Mariamman because the granite statue’s face and head occasionally have wet spots that resemble pearls (Tamil: pearls – Muthu).
Tanjan Asuran, a demon, and Lord Shiva engaged in combat:
Lord Shiva once had to engage in combat with Tanjan Asuran. According to legend, Shiva placed one of the eight goddesses, known as Ashta Shaktis, in each of the eight directions before starting the war. Punnainallur Mariamman kovil is the current name of the Shakti that was placed in the eastern direction, according to legend.
During his pilgrimage to Samayapuram, Venkoji dreamed of Mariamman. Venkoji Maharaja Chatrapathi was the Maratha king. He decided to travel to Tiruchirapalli on a pilgrimage to see Samayapuram Mariamman, another potent village goddess. He stopped to rest beneath a tree’s shade while travelling. All of a sudden, Mariamman appeared in his dream and informed him that she was located roughly three miles from Thanjavur in a forest of Punnai trees. When the King arrived in a hurry, he noticed a white anthill or Puttru. He constructed the current Punnainallur Mariamman Temple structure over this anthill.
During their reign, Thulaja and Serfoji, the Maratha rulers, renovated the temple and held worship here as well. It is believed that after making offerings at this temple, the daughter of Tulaja Raja (1729–1735) of Thanjavur, who had lost her sight due to illness, was able to regain it. The Thanjavur royal family’s descendants continue to maintain the Mariamman Temple.
Punnainallur Mariamman History:
During a pilgrimage to Samayapuram, a renowned temple dedicated to Kali, in 1680, the Maharashtra king Venkoji Maharaja Chhatrapati (1676-1688) of Tanjore dreamed that Mariamman, the idol, was located approximately three miles away from Tanjore in a forest of Punnai trees.
Without any delay, the King hurried to the designated location and retrieved the idol from the jungle. Punnainallur Mariamman is the name of the deity of this temple, which was built there and has an idol installed. It is said that after worshipping at this temple, the daughter of Tanjore’s Tulaja Raja (1729–35), who had lost her sight due to illness, gained it back.
The Amman was first shaped like a hill of white ants (Puttru). The white-ant hill (Puttru) was sculpted into the image of Mariamman by the great saint Sadhasiva Brahmendra Swamy, who also placed a potent chakra there.
The kings of Tanjore were very interested in the temple’s development and competed with each other to build gopurams, mandapams, entrances, and other features. There is a holy tank, and every year in September through October, Purattasi hosts the “floating festival.” August through September, or Adi-Avani, are the months when Brahmotsavam is celebrated. Sundays are thought to be the most auspicious days for Goddess worship, when large groups of people, mostly women and children, congregate to honour the goddess.
Mariamman Temple’s divineness:
All physical ailments are healed for those who worship the goddess. Here, a charming and thoughtful form is displayed. The mother is prayed for and offered offerings in the temple in the form of mud replicas of the various body parts.
Punnainallur Mariamman is the name of the deity of this temple, which was built there and has an idol installed. It is said that after worshipping at this temple, the daughter of Tanjore’s Tulaja Raja (1729–1735), who had lost her sight due to illness, gained it back.
Lucky Days & Importance:
All Fridays are special in general, but the Fridays during the Tamil month of Aadi will be especially noteworthy. August and September are particularly associated with this goddess, so in those months, devotees swarm the temple. Sundays are thought to be the most auspicious days for Goddess worship, when large groups of people, mostly women and children, congregate to honour the goddess.
All physical ailments are healed for those who worship the goddess. Here, a charming and thoughtful form is displayed. The mother is prayed for and offered offerings in the temple in the form of mud replicas of the various body parts. Punnainallur Mariamman is the name of the deity of this temple, which was built there and has an idol installed. It is said that after worshipping at this temple, the daughter of Tanjore’s Tulaja Raja (1729–1735), who had lost her sight due to illness, gained it back.
Removes fear from children & Eliminates Diseases:
If someone offers sincere prayers to the Goddess, Pechchi Amman is said to have the ability to remove fear from children and to protect them from crying out of fear of certain things.
Health Issues: If devotees come here and pray for a week, they are said to be freed from various health problems if they drink the milk offered during the four daily poojas. This includes the removal of chicken pox and other diseases.
Punnainallur Mariamman Temple Timings:
Mariamman Temple is open from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm on weekdays.
On Sundays, the temple is open from 4.30 am until 9.45 pm. The Mariamma Temple sees an increase in devotee traffic on Sundays. At the Mariamma Temple, the timing of various special pujas is also predetermined.
Punnainallur Mariamman Location & Distance:
This temple is situated 6.7 kilometres from the Thanjavur Old Bus Stop in Punnai Nallur, also known as Mariamman Kovil.
Airlines: Mariamman Temple is located 64.5 kilometres from Tiruchirappalli airport, which is the closest airport.
Railways: Mariamman Temple is located 6.1 km from Thanjavur Railway Station, which is the closest railway station.
Roadways: The distances to the Mariamman Temple are as follows: 6.7 km to the Thanjavur Old Bus Stand; 13.5 km to the Thanjavur New Bus Stand; and 65 km to the Trichy Central Bus Stand.
Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple Address is No. 10, Mariamman Kovil, Thanjavur, Arulmolipet, 613001, Tamil Nadu
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