The Visit to this Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil, at Matale in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled in 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilising this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites of Sri Lanka.
Presiding Deity : Sri Muthumariamman Temple.
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing north with a 9 tier Rajagopuram. There are two more 3 tier Rajagopuram on the east and west directions. There is a dome type mandapam in front of the west side Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Amman is around the parapet walls around the temple. Kambathadi Vinayagar, Dwajasthambam with velli / Silver kavacham, Balipeedam and vahanam Simham are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of sanctum sanctorum. Amman is in sitting posture holding a Trishul on the right hand.
Inside is completely covered as a mandapam. Apart from the presiding deity, stucco image of various forms of Amman, Saraswati Durga, Maha Lakshmi, Kazhumaram, Nava kandam, Santhana Gopalar, Nataraja with Sivagami, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Manickavasagar, Utsava Idols, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Anjaneyar / Hanuman, Ramar, Sita and Lakshmana, Somakandheswarar, A sacred tree, Vinayagar ( with 5 faces – pancha mukha ), Sri Valli Devasena Shanmuganathar with 6 heads& 12 hands, Maha Vishnu in reclining posture on Adiseshan, Brahma, Sridevi and BhuDevi.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and a common Hall to accommodate various Utsavars and Stucco images. The north side Rajagopuram is of 32 meters ( 108 feet ) tall with stucco images of Amman’s various forms, Saivam and Vaishnavam related Puranas and epics. The Ceiling of the inner mandapam is drawn with paint related to various puranas. The pillars of the inside mandapam has the various images and are painted colourfully. There are about 1008 stucco images in this temple.
A Kalyana mandapam, office and staff quarters are constructed on the south side of the temple.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The history of the temple goes like this. During British rule, Tamil people from India were brought to Sri Lanka to work in the Tea Estates with heavy work load. People were accommodated in a cramped shelter. Due to unhygienic conditions people got the measles. Then they worshiped Muthumariamman and got cured. As a part of thanksgiving for relieving from the decease they constructed this temple and expanded latter.
This temple land was originally a part of paddy field, gifted by the owner in 1852 CE. Amman was under a tree. A New temple was constructed on the gifted land in 1874 CE by Nattukottai Nagarathars. ( Karuppannar ).
During July 1983, anti – Tamil riots the temple was damage certain extended and the same was restored back.
The east Rajagopuram was built and maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 20th January 2011. Most of the Stucco images are done by Tamil Nadu Mamallapuram Sthapathis. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 2013.
The Stucco images are done by sthapathis R Nagalingam and his son Ramanathan.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, a Cute little Girl wearing beautiful dress, was found in the premises of the temple. On the next day, the dress worn by the little Girl was alone found. On the same night She came in the dream of one Mr Nallamuthu to construct a Temple for her and identified her as Pattini. The original temple was built on the same spot where the present temple exists.
It is believed that, Muthumariamman will cure smallpox, Chickenpox. People also pray for child boon and safe delivery.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on all Hindu festival days like, Tamil New Year, Aadi month Fridays, Deepavali, navaratri etc,.
Annual festival will be celebrated in a grand manner with car / chariot procession during the month of Feb – March. During that time devotees used to offer, what they had prayed to Muthumariamman, similar to Trichy Samayapuram Mariamman temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 2.4 KM from Matale Railway Station, 27 KM from Kandy, 47 KM from Dambulla, 113 KM Anuradhapura, 144 KM from Colombo.
The nearest Railway station is Matale.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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