Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple

Overview

Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple is located in Kulasekaranpattinam near Thiruchendur in the Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is 300 years old. Though this is a Shiva Temple, all importance is for Mother Mutharamman as to Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. Navarathiri festival is the grandest festival in this temple. More than 1,500,000 devotees celebrate together here.This temple is under taken by Tamilnadu Government.

About The Temple

In this temple Goddess Muththaramman and Swami Nganamoorthiswarar vigrahas are installedas a combination of each other. This is a special feature of the temple.The combined vigraha is not seen elsewhere. In the Garbagraha, Swami and Goddess are shower their blessings to the devotees as Swayambu Murthigal.

Artha Mandapam

It is situated next to the Garbagraha.

Maha Mandapam

Next to the Artha mandapam, the Maha mandapam is seen, where Pechiamman, Karuppaswamy and Bairavar shower their blessings to the devotees.

Kodi mandapam

Next to the Maha mandapam is a 32 feet high Kodimaram which is fully covered with Brass. At the bottom of the Kodimaram is Ambal & Swami, as one side, Astira devar on the other side, Lord Vinayaga on the third side, on the fourth side Lord Balasubramaniyan statues are molded in the Brass.

About the Deity

According to astrology, if two planets mutually occupy the houses belonging to each other, it is called Parivardhana yoga. For example, Shukra may be in the house belonging to Mars and Mars in turn may be in the house of Shukra-Venus. Similarly, Mother had exchanged Her Power with Lord and Lord in turn had offered His powers to Mother in this temple. The Mantra used in the Shakti puja, Yantra the copper plate installed under the Mother idol according to religious rules and traditions and the Thantra the puja codes are followed in this temple as in Mother Meenakshi temple in Madurai.

Small pox appears on the body of the affected as pearls which people use to call Muthu in the body. As a remedy, people use to store water around the Goddess to bring the heat of the boils-Muthu down and dry them. Mother thus cures the patient. Hence the name of the Mother in the temple, Muthu-(pearl) Attru (treating) Amman-Goddess – Muthattruamman – Mutharamman.

Pooja Timings

Kaalasanthi - 8.15 A.m.
Uchi Kaalam - 12.00 Noon
Sayaratchai - 5.30 P.m.
Raakala Pooja - 8.15 P.m.

Festivals

3 day Aadi Kodai festival is celebrated in July-August dressing Lord and Mother as Kurava-Kurathi, a nomadic tribe, when people do begging to fulfill their prayer commitment. Special pujas and decorative Deepa Aaradhanas are performed on Chithirai first falling almost on April 14, special pujas and Annabishekam in Aipasi-October-November. Tirukarthikai in November-December is celebrated with car festival lighting Deepas and Chokkapanai Deepa. Margazhi Danur pujas in December-January and Maha Shivrathri in February-March are also very grandly celebrated in the temple.

Dasara-10 days Navaratri festival

In this temple Dusshera is being celeberated as a big festival. Lakhs of people assemble here to celebrate this festival. This temple stands unique amongst the other temples, which celebrates Dusshera. The same Dusshera itself is celebrated here as a 12 day function instead of 9 days.

History behind this Dusshera festival

Once upon a time due to the curse of saint Agathiyar, The saint Varamuni became a man with a buffalo head. The term “Magisam” means buffalo. Since he had a buffalo head he was called Magisasuran. With his continuous meditation and strenuous effort Magisasuran gained more power and dominated all over the world.

To condemn the domination of the Magisasuran the saints approached the Goddess and informed the hardship done by Magisasuran. Then with the power of Goddess there appears a female baby. The baby was named as Lalithambigai. The baby grown up within 9 days and on the 10th day she grew as Annai Parasakthi Lalithambigai with lots of anger came strongly and destroyed Magisasuran and this day (i.e.,) 10th day is being celebrated as Dusshera.

The growth period of Annai Parasakthi during the nine days are resumed as Navarathiri. The first three days for Malaimagal, the second three days as Alaimagal, and the last three days as Kalaimagal. After the Goddess Annai Parasakthi killed Magisasuran she was called as Magisasura Marthini. At last the Goddess came to this city, settled and showered her blessing on all her devotees.

The devotees whoever wants to observe vridham should do so for 41 days continuously, during the dusshera(10 days) they should dress like the god/goddess and should not do any mischief, leaving all bad habits, and should be pure at body, mind and soul. One more thing is that whoever wants to dress up like “Goddess KALI” should be more cautious than others, since people come to them for blessings. People can dress up like any God and Goddess according to their prayers and wishes.

Navaraathri Avadharam and their Rewards

Day 1 – Durgai Avadharam - Raagu dosham goes off
Day 2 – Viswakarmeshwar Avadharam - Financial status improves
Day 3 – Parvathi Avadharam – Wealth
Day 4 – Balasubramaniam Avadharam - Long live and healthy life
Day 5 – Navaneethakrishnan Avadharam - Relief from the prolonged illness and long liveness
Day 6 – Mahisasuramarthini Avadharam - Winning power
Day 7 - Ananda natarajar Avadharam – Mukthi
Day 8 – Gajalaksmi Avadharam - Financial status improves
Day 9 – Saraswathi Avadharam - Education

Offerings

Devotees light Mavilakku, a lamp made of rice flour mixed with ghee, undertake body circumambulation-Anga Pradikshina, carry fire pots, Vel Ambu Kuthal-punching the cheeks with needles are the prayer commitments practiced by the devotees. Some organize feeding-Anna dhanam and Hundi contribution.

Significance

Those affected with small-pox, handicapped, mentally retarded pray in the temple for relief and it is the experience of the devotees that Mother Mutharamman responds to their prayers without delay. People who lost their properties earlier, meeting loss in business say they had recovered their assets after praying to Mother. They also pray for child boon. Those suffering from leprosy pray here for 41 days with fasting, get cured. They firmly believe that Mutharamman is the guardian of their welfare.

How to Reach Kulasekaranpattinam Mutharamman Temple

Airport

The nearest Airports are Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Tuticorin Airport.

Railways

The Nearest Railway Station is at Tiruchendur. The Tiruchendur railway station is just 14km for this temple.

Road

Kulasekaranpattinam Mutharamman temple is 12 km from Tiruchendur. Bus facility is available. The distance to Kulasekharan Pattinam is 60 km from Thoothukudi, 70 km from Kanyakumari and 70 km from Tirunelveli.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Mutharamman Thirukovil,
Kulasekaranpattinam, Thoothukudi District,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 628203.