Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is in Samayapuram near Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu. Samayapuram Mariamman is another form Sakthi, and is said to be very powerful in curing illness,especially viral ailments like chicken pox,measles of the devotees who visit here.
The Temple & the deity: The temple is said to have built during the 17th century. The temple has a big covered corridor leading straight to the main sanctum. You can see shops selling flowers,coconuts,fruits, devotional books and other items lined on both the sides of the path.
Festivals: Goddess Mariamman is said to undergoing fast on the the last Sunday of the Tamil month Masi (February-March) for 28 days for the welfare of all living beings in the world. During this period only tender coconut, and fruit juices in liquid form are offered as Nivedhyam to the Goddess. During these days a ritual called 'Poo Choridhal' is conducted.(showered with flowers)
The Chithirai Chariot Festival is celebrated for a period of 13 days from 1st of Chitirai ( mid of April) in a very grand scale which attracts hundreds of thousands of Devotees all over. The beautifully decorated Chariot with Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman will be pulled by devotees around the Temple.
Faiths & Beleifs: Those affected with Chicken pox and measles stay here in the temple and it is their beleif that they get cured fast. They consume the 'theertham' (holy water) given at the temple and lay in a bed of neem leaves. ( scientically it is proven that the Neem leaves are good disinfectant and has many medicinal properties). Tonsuring (offering of hair), ear boring ceremonies are done here as thanks giving. Devotees pull the golden chariot, carry fire pots, do 'anga pradhakshanams' (roll around in clockwise direction in the corridor of the temple), offer cradles made of sugarcane. The devotees offer 'maavilakku ( lamps made of rice flour,jaggery and ghee as fuel) for 15 days during Thaipoosam festival in January-February. They also offer paddy, grains, goats, cocks as prayer commitments.
Temple location The temple is in Samayapuram village which is 15 kms from Trichy off the Trichy - Chrennai highway.
Temple Timings The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
How to reach? This is well connected by frequent town buses from Trichy Main Guard Gate,Trichy Central bus stand, Chathiram bus stand.