History of Samayapuram Mariamman

The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is an ancient temple in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is ‘Swayambu Mariamman’. The goddess is self-manifest. This is called the 'adhi peetam' of all Mariamman temples. Mariamman is considered a form of Shakthi (power) and a manifestation of Kali, also known as Mahamayi or Seethala Gowri.

The recorded history of this temple indicates that the present form of this temple was established by King Vijayaraya Chakkaravarthi during the early 18th century. However, it is widely believed that the local rural people of this region revered the Goddess for several centuries before the temple was even built. Here Mariamman blesses the devotees with 'ashta bhujam' (eight hands). She is devotedly called as Samayapurathal. The deity of Samapurathal is made up of clay and sand and hence the divine procedure of abhishekam (holy washing) is not performed. The Garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) also houses a small stone structure of Mariamman for which abhishekams are performed according to the 'agama poojai vidhi'.

Goddess is believed to cure people afflicted with measles and chickenpox. Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is a 'Parihara Sthalam' as the Goddess is regarded as the supreme power of curing diseases. The most common offering is the Mavilakku Mavu made of jagery, rice flour and ghee