Arulmigu Madurakaliamman – Siruvachur

Arulmigu Madurakaliamman – Siruvachur

‘Arulkigu’ Madurakaliamman temple is situated in Siruvachur village, off Trichy – Chennai highway, at 8 km distance from Perambalur and 44 km distance from Tiruchy. The Goddess is known as Sri Madhurambhika. The beautifully made temple arch welcomes us at the highway itself. The temple, situated at a further distance of I km becomes visible with its majestic ‘Rajagopuram’ as we keep nearing. The beautiful hamlet is a treat to the eyes with its flush greenery, groves and waterbeds.

History of the temple

The temple is associated with the history of the ‘Silappathikaram’ heroine Kannagi. It is said that the righteous Kannagi, furious at the injustice meted out to her beloved husband Kovalan was roaming around unsatiated with the fire of revenge still smoldering at her heart even after she incinerated the entire town of Madurai. But when she stepped on the soil of this ‘sthala’, the dormant fire of hatred at her heart died down automatically and her mind was set at peace. It is believed that Madurai Kali Herself was here at this ‘sthala’ to bless Kannagi with peace.

The presiding deity at the temple is Chelliamman. A sorcerer brought this Chelliamman under his control and was misusing the power of the ‘amman’ to achieve his goals. Madurai Kaliamman reached this place on a Friday night. Chelliamman reported to Madirai Kali about the torture she was undergoing at the hands of the sorcerer. At this, Madurai Kali promised to help her out and stayed back. And, she destroyed the sorcerer. Chelliaman requested Madurai Kali to make the ‘sthala’ Her abode and bless the devotees and said that she would make the nearby ‘Periasami malai’ her abode but requested that she be offered the ‘mudal mariyaadhai’ at the temple for all time to come. Madurai Kali granted Chelliamman’s request and sat at the Siruvachur temple and Chelliamman sat at the ‘Periasami malai’. Madurai Kali, who sat at the temple on Friday, blessed Her devotees on the following Monday. And, that is the reason why the temple is kept open only on Mondays and Fridays, they say. Puja services are offered on these two days only. And, apart from these two days, the temple is kept open on its special days.

‘Madurai’ Kaliamman became ‘Madurakaliamman’ in course of time. And, there’s a variant that says that the enraged Kali became peaceful on entering this ‘sthala’ and blessed the devotees with many sweet things in life and She came to be called ‘Madura Kali’ because the term ‘Maduram’ meant sweetness. As per the request of Chelliamman, whenever ‘deeparadhana’ is done, it is first shown upward in the direction of Periasami malai where Chelliamman temple is situated and then only shown to the presiding deity.

Worship services

The ‘sannidhi’ is opened at 6.30 a.m. ‘Abhishek’ is done after 11 a.m. Then, gold ‘kavasam’ is put on the deity. ‘Darshan’ is allowed till 8 p.m. If there is a sponsor, ‘Gold ratha’ procession is done at around 6.30 p.m.

Festivals

During the Tamil month of Chitthirai, a 13-day festival is celebrated with all grandeur. It starts with flower shower on the first Tuesday after the new moon day. Thousands of devotees attend the festival. ‘Malai vazhipadu’, ‘Thirukalyanam’, silver horse mount and car festival are very important features of this festival. Special pujas are also done on these days.

Glory of Madurakali

Madurakali is a very powerful goddess. Those who worship Her once at this temple keep coming again and again. The temple is situated at the outskirt of the hamlet, surrounded by green fields, dense groves, hillocks and lakes. In the east-facing ‘sannidhi’, Madurakali is portrayed with four hands holding a small drum, ‘soolam’, ‘akshaya patthiram’ and a rope. She has been portrayed in a sitting posture with Her left leg folded and right leg planted firmly on Her mount Simha. The posture is one of grace and benevolence not of destruction as the demon is not portrayed.

On the days of puja, the ‘abhishek’ is started at 11 a.m. The deity is adorned with ‘gold kavasam’ and diamond necklace at around 1 p.m. and ‘mahadeeparadhana’ is done. Then ‘prasadam’ is distributed to the devotees. The two drummers, who beat the drums during the ‘mahadeeparadhana’ narrate the glory of the deity.

‘Angapradakshinam’ by devotees is a very important ‘prarthana’ at this temple. Another equally important ‘prarthana’ is ‘maa vilakku’. They prepare the rice flour inside the temple premises itself with care and devotion, following all the rules. Then, they light up ghee lamps. The required tools are provided by the temple itself and the space for this task has also been allocated. And, for those who are not able to do the work, they can employ workers attached to the temple. ‘Maa vilakku’ is considered as the most suitable ‘parihara’ for delay in marriage. Madura Kali blesses Her devotees through simple ‘pariharas’ for even very complicated problems. As She destroyed the sorcerer who was using black magic, the ‘sthala’ is famous for redemption from the evil impacts of black magic and people who are afflicted by the impacts of ‘billi’ and ‘sunyam’ come here for removing them and return happily with the evil lifted. All their woes and sorrows evaporate when devotees shed tears before Her. The problem of progeny is also solved.

Those wishing to donate or sponsor can contact the administration at the temple. 
Let us pray to Madura Kali that all should be blessed with solace and happiness and all those waiting for marriage should be blessed with early marriage.

Bus route

There are direct buses to Ponnamaravathy from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Thiruchi, Dindigul, Salem, Tirupur, Pudukottai and Thanjavur. And, there are buses that ply frequently from Ponnamaravathy to Vendhanpatti.

Timings – The temple is open from 7 a.m. to 12 noon; from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.