Main God : Lord Bannari Mariamman
Location : Arulmigu Sri Bannari Mariamman Temple,
Bannari, Sathyamangalam,
Erode District – 638 401. Phone: 04295 243366, 04295 243289.
Festivals :
GOLDEN CHARIOT FESTIVAL :
A golden rath of 9.8’ height is designed for Goddess Bannari Amman and from 1st may 2006 the rath is used for veethi ula. For this golden rath the temple has given about 7.77 kgs of gold. The wood and copper sheets were provided by peoples around the temple areas . The total cost of this rath is 53 lakhs. For taking golden rath to veethi ula devotees has to pay an amount of 1001 rupees and they can fix the timing for ula as they wish.
KUNDAM FESTIVAL :
The cowherd has his own doubts about that particular cow and he decided to have an eye on it. He allowed the other cows to graze and pursued that particular cow secretly. It went alone near a Vengai tree and stood beneath it. Milk began to flow from its udder automatically. He wondered at such a strangle sight and told about it to the other cowherds. The news spread like wildfire to the villagers. Next day they were on the spot to witness the wonder. They found the cow repeating the same behavior. Milk cozed out of the teats of its udder on the particular spot amidst the grass.
TURMERIC WATER DONATION :
On Thursday they will do pooja with turmeric water and the people belonging to temple will donate food for needy. The same day they do special Abhishegam and pooja for God.
THIRUVILLAKKU POOJA :
On Friday evening Thiruvilakku pooja (pooja done to light lamps) will be done. On this occasion lots of ladies will praise god.
MARU POOJA :
On Monday, the 8th day of Kundam festival maru pooja festival will be conducted. Sunday night itself they will decorate God as they decorated on the first day with golden kavasam (a metal that covers the entire body), costly ornaments and flower garlands.Then special Abhishegams will be done.
WORSHIP TIME : Opening Time : 5:30 A.M To 9:00 P.M
POOJAI TIMING :
Kalasandi Poojai – 5:30 A.M
Ucchi Kala Poojai -11:30 A.M
Saiyarachi Poojai – 5:30 P.M
Arthajamam Poojai – 8:30 P.M
People of past had witnessed the wonderful sight of tigers and cows quenching their thirst at the same spot of the river. Cowherds used to drive the cattle to the fields jeer for grazing. The cows fed on the grass found in plenty here. These cows were driven back to the stables at dusk. The cowherds used to extract milk form the udder of each cow and hand over the collected Milk to the owners of the cows. One particular cow did not allow the cowherd to get milk, nor did it allow its calf to go near it.
Around 300 years ago, the dana Nayakkan or Dhandanyakkan forest you all know now its been called as “BANNARI”. This name Bannari for this great historical place origined because of the great temple “Bannari Amman Temple”.
In ancient days Tamil Nadu consisted of five division known as Chera Nadu, Chozha Nadu, Pandiya Nadu, Thondai Nadu and Kongu Nadu.Kongu Nadu was situated on the western side of Tamil Nadu. Mountains, rivers and forests added beauty to this fertile soil.Bannari located on the North West boundary of Kongu Nadu. Of late, it has become pilgrim’s paradise because devotees from far and near visit this spot. It is held in high esteem as the celebrated abode of Goddess Mariamman.Bannari Mariamman temple is situated at a distance of fourteen kilometers from Sathyamangalam in Erode District. The temple facing south and it is surrounding by thick forests with verdant vegetation on the southern, northern and western directions.The range of mountains and the hilly backdrop add charm to the abode of the deity.Beasts such as elephants, wild pigs, bears, deer, hares, and monkey are found in the surrounding forests. Beautiful peacocks and various birds are also seen here.
The oracle was heard by everybody who has assembled there. In response to that message, the villagers Erected shed with ‘KANANGU’ a kind of forest herbs. In due course, the thatched ceiling was replaced by tiled ceiling. Funds were collected from philanthropists and the temple structure underwent renovation repeatedly and, the gopuram was built above the SANCTUM – SANCTORIUM. Shobana Mantapa in front of the temple with 24-pillared mantapa with carvings of architectural beauty was constructed in 1967. The Artha Mantapa, Maha Mantapa and Shobana Mantapa enhance the beauty of the temple. Separate shrines for such gods as Vinayaka, Bommairayan, Madeswara SARUGU Mariamman and Muniyappa are found in and around the temple.
The Bommarayan temple is in Artha mandapam facing west side and the Ganesh temple is in front mandapam facing east.God Matheshwaran is placed on a slab which is on the southern side of the Goddess temple.Near the temple pond a small temple facing west is constructed for Sarugu Mariamman is placed. The kumbhabishegam for this temple was conducted on second of this month.On the west side of the temple pond a big pit is present. In that pit water will be stagnant only on rainy seasons. On other seasons water won’t stagnate there. To the left side of the way to the temple pond, God VandiMuniappar is placed on a slab. During the festival for goddess the people of Cholar caste do special poojas for this God.
MIRACLES :
One British officer in charge of forestry did not allow the people to cut tress for kundam festival. All of a sudden, he began to suffer from vomiting and dysentery. He realized his mistake and prayed to the goddess to forgive him. His health was restored by the holy ash and water fetched from the temple. Then he allowed the people to prune trees from the forests for the festival.
Another British officer who was staying in the Traveller’s Bungalow did not like singing, dancing and playing the drums on the festival days. He passed an order to put an end to such activities. The next moment he has an awesome vision in which he saw two maidens with snakes around their necks. He became aware of his mistake and prayed to the goddess to bear with his fault. Then he revoked the orders and allowed the music and dance to go on as usual.
Yet another British officer aimed his gin at the walls of the temple and fired. Consequently he lost his vision. He prayed to the goddess and begged Her for forgiveness. His vision was restored by the holy water which was fetched from the temple and sprinkled on his eyes.
One Sheit from Bangalore halted his motorcycle and enquired about the temple. The people told him that the temple was known as Amman Temple. At once, he, in a funny tine, asked them whether there any ‘AYYAN TEMPLE’ nearby with such a satirical remark he started his vehicle. But it did not move. It stood still. Then he realized that he had incurred the wrath of the Deity by his sacrilegious remark, then he begged her to pardon him for his mistake. He broke up a coconut in from of the temple in atonement for his fault and then only he could start his vehicle.
Once a lonely pilgrim wanted to stay in the temple due to the nightfall. A ferocious tiger appeared before him. It struck fear into him and he prayed to the goddess for safety and survival. By the grace of the goddess, the tiger went away from that place.
Once tents were put up in Bannari in 1954 to train the soldiers. The camp officer used to go to the temple daily to pray to the goddess. One day he found the temple closed in the evening. So, he prayed from the mantapa in front of the temple. To his surprise, he saw a flicker of bright light in the sanctum sanatorium. Next day he told about this miracle to the officers of the temple and hosted a tea-party too.
Once, during the festival day, a necromancer practiced black magic and threatened the devotees by setting a bear and a tiger on them adamantly. By the grace of the goddess the bear was turned into a stone and the tiger was turned into a sand-hill.
Likewise, numerous miracles are performed by the goddess time and again.
Transportation facilities are made available to the devotees on important days. Special buses are piled from Sathyamangalam and Coimbatore on such days as Sunday, Monday, Friday, New Moon day and festival days. Further, boarding and lodging facilities are also available for the pilgrims.
Visit : tmpooja.com/info
