Araikasu Amman Temple - 108 Goddess Idols

Araikasu Amman Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Araikasu Amman. Amman is a village deity. There are 108 idols of Amman goddess in different forms in this temple.

The temple lies in Ratnamangalam, near Vandalur, Chennai city, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is near a popular temple for Lakshmi Kubera. Araikasu Amman is a powerful deity in the locality.

The Legend Behind the Temple

It is believed that once, a king who ruled Pudukottai lost a valuable document and prayed to Goddess Pragadambal, his Ishta Devata, to find it. The goddess fulfilled his wish, and in gratitude, the king performed a special Pooja in gratitude. The king also embossed the image of Pragadambal on one side of a coin of Araikasu denomination. These coins were distributed to his subjects during festive occasions. So people began to call the goddess Araikasu Amman, and they also began to worship her to get back the things that they lost or misplaced.

Temple Architecture

The temple is rather small. At its entrance is a rare idol of Ganesha with 8 arms, seated on a lion. In the main shrine, one can find the idol of Araikasu Amman. She is found in a sitting posture and has 4 arms.

The mount of Amman, lion, and Meru mountain face the main shrine. The wall that goes around this shrine has the idols of Saraswati Hayagreeva (Hayagreeva along with his consort), Lakshmi and Narayana, and Swayamvara Lingam (Shakti hugging the Shiva Linga). There are two other shrines for Ganesha and Ayyappa.

The unique feature of the temple is that it has 108 Amman (Goddess) idols. They are seen in different forms and postures. These goddesses are the presiding deities of different towns and villages in India and abroad.

Given below is the list of 108 Goddess idols and the places they represent. The last idol is Araikasu Amman, who is the presiding deity of this temple. Her idol is in the main shrine.

1) Meenakshi - Madurai

2) 1000 armed Kali - Kolkata

3) Kottai Amman - Devakottai

4) Gnana Prasannambika - Kalahasti

5) Kanaka Durga - Vijayawada

6) Annapoorni - Kashi

7) Garba Rakshambika - Tirukarugavur

8) Muthu Pechi - Thirunelveli

9) Pachai Amman - Thirumullaivayil

10) Chamundeeswari - Mysore

11) Sengalamman - Sulurpettai

12) Padmavathi - Tiruchanur

13) Visalakshi - Kashi

14) Ujjaini Maha Kali - Thanjavur

15) Karumari Amman - Thiruverkadu

16) Chellayee Amman - Kandanur

17 Kali - Kolkata

18) Annadana Mari - Salem

19) Muthu Mari - Virudhunagar

20) Raja Rajeswari - Bangalore

21) Sheetala Devi - Kudamurutti

22) Sri Chakra Devi

23) Sri Chandira Parameshwari

24) Maha Kali - Malaysia

25) Bhagavati - Chottanikkara

26) Teedavaga - Tuljapur

27) Sri Vasiya Mukhi

28) Kalyana Mari

29) Kodi Udai Amman - Thirumullaivayil

30) Santoshi Mata - Vellore

31) Aayirathu Amman - Palayamkottai

32) Durga

33) Ariya Nachi Amman - Pudukkottai

34) Kannathal - Nattarasan Kottai

35) Abirami - Tirukkadaiyur

36) Kannika Parameswari

37) Koppudai Amman - Karaikudi

38) Madura Kali - Tiruvachur

39) Angalamman - Melmalayanur

40) Vishnu Durga

41) Mookambikai - Kollur

42) Bannari Amman - Erode

43) Muthu Mari - Thyagamangalam

44) Bhavani - Periya Palayam

45) Attukal Bhagavati - Trivandrum

46) Durga - Patteeswaram

47) Kumari - Kanyakumari

48) Lalitha Parameswari - Tirumechur

49) Akhilandeswari – Tiruvanaikka

50) Nagathamman - Chengelpet

51) Vadivudai Amman - Tiruvottriyur

52) Sellathamman - Perambakkam

53) Veiyilu Katha Mari Amman - Tiruvaiyaru

54) Veera Makali - Aranthangi

55) Punnai Nallur Mari Amman - Thanjavur

56) Teppakula Mari Amman - Vandiyur

57) Raja Durgai

58) Bhuvaneswari - Pudukkottai

59) Kantimathi - Thirunelveli

60) Periya Mari - Erode

61) Kaamakshi - Mangadu

62) Raja Matangi

63) Mari Amman - Samayapuram

64) Kali - Chidambaram

65) Gomati - Shankaran Kovil

66) Vagula Devi - Tirupati

67) Abhida Kujambal - Thiruvannamalai

68) Mutharamman - Kulasekara Pattinam

69) Renuka - Padavedu

70) Kurangani - Muthu Malai

71) Gayatri

72) Nellukkadai Mari - Nagapattinam

73) Tiruvudai Amman - Vellore

74) Vana Durga

75) Chakkulaththukavu Devi - Thiruvalla

76) Bala Tripura Sundari - Vellore

77) Mannmani - Vettavalam

78) Vaishno Devi - Katra

79) Kola Vizhi Amman - Chennai

80) Poongavanathamman - Bhuvanagiri

81) Sri Gurukula Devi

82) Mumbayi Devi - Mumbai

83) Perattru Selvi - Thirunelveli

84) Nadi Amman - Pattukkottai

85) Periya Nayaki - Pallathur

86) Kamalambikai

87) Thandu Mari - Coimbatore

88) Shyamala Devi

89) Aindhu Veettu Kali - Aranthangi

90) Isakki - Muppandal

91) Kartyayani - Marathurai

92) Namba Nayaki - Rameshwaram

93) Yezhai Mari - Puducherry

94) Jaya Kaliyambal - Uraiyur

95) Sri Nimishambal - Mysore

96) Jakkamma - Panchalankurichi

97) Ulaga Nayaki - Nanguneri

98) Periya Gandhi - Navalur

99) Ulagaandeswari - Ottapidaram

100) Nitya Sumangali Mari Amman - Rasipuram

101) Sribagam Piriyal - Tiruvottriyur

102) Shenbaga Valli - Kovil Patti

103) Chowdeswari - Aruppukkottai

104) Sri Raja Kali - Dindugul

105) Ganga - Haridwar

106) Sharda - Sringeri

107) Mangalambikai - Tirumangalakudi

108) Araikasu Amman – Ratnamangalam

 

Benefits of Worshipping Araikasu Amman

Helps recover lost or misplaced articles,missing people, etc.

Eliminates delays or problems in marriage

Bestows progeny blessings

Bestows land and properties

How to Reach

Nearest Railway Station: Chennai

Nearest Airport: Chennai

The temple is well connected by road from Chennai.