Thiruverkadu Karumari Amman Devi Temple

Introduction about the Karumariamman Devi Temple

Karumariamman Devi temple is situated in Thiruverkaadu, the outer area of Chennai. Devotees rush to the temple daily, and the presiding Goddess is swayambu. This is one powerful place where the positive vibrations are high in every part of the temple. This is also the reason why so many devotees regularly visit the temple.

Significance

Other than the presiding Goddess, other Gods are also seated in separate shrines. These Gods are Lord Ganesha, Goddess Gowmatha, and Ekambareshwar. The Goddess here can be seen originating fire from her head. A Gopuram looks amazing and majestic; the temple also contains a tank punniyatheertham.

The temple is also considered because Lord Murugan came here to obtain the Vel from his mother Parvathi, the Goddess Karumari, to kill the demon Suran. Hence this place is also known as Verkadu. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old as of now.

Mythology

Some legends associate with this temple. One legend says that once Devi converted herself into an old lady and wanted to meet Sun God. She appeared in front of Sun, but he couldn't identify her and denied meeting her.

The Goddess turned back, but Sun started losing its luminance from that day. However, he soon understood why this was happening and approached Devi. Sun asked forgiveness from the Goddess, and he was forgiven.

During the conversation, Sun also made two requests. He requested the Devi to make Sunday an auspicious day for Amman. Next, he asked the Goddess to accept his illumination over her idol twice a year. Even now, it happens twice a year when the sun rays hover over the idol of the Devi and touch the idol.

Another legend says that once there used to be an anthill in this place that devotees worshipped. One day while worshipping, the Goddess appeared in front of the devotees and asked them to build a temple. The Devotees agreed, and when they removed the anthill, they found the head of the Devi beneath it. They built the temple around it in which the Goddess is worshipped.

Another legend is about Lord Thirumal, who once visited Thiruverkadu to meet the Goddess Umadevi. When he reached there, the lord's sister Karumari asked him to sit there as Srinivasan of Thirumurai. She asked the lord to assist her and bless devotees who come to the temple and worship Navagraham.

The lord agreed happily, and he stayed there. He promised his sister that he would protect the position of the Nine Planets.

Festivals

Barhmorchavam is one of the most important festivals celebrated here. The festivity lasts for 19 days and occurs in January, usually. Every day in these 19 days, the Goddess is taken on the processions using many mounts. For example, in the final three days, the Goddess sits in the procession in a decorated boat called Theppam.

Many other festivals happen here, such as Thai Posam, Maas Magam, Tamil New Year's day, Aadi Thiruvizha, Sashtismaharam, and Navratri. Additionally, daily pujas happen, and the rituals are followed.

Tuesdays and Fridays are considered significant as special pujas ad yagnas take place. Females make lamps and light them using ghee. The priest gives a blessed lemon to the devotees, which he advises to place in the puja room to have the blessings of Amman. People then need to return this lemon the next week and receive a new one; this process goes on for nine weeks. Doing so is believed to fulfill the wish of the devotee.

The Aadi festival, which occurs from July- August, is also a major festival here. On Sundays, Ksheerabhisheka, that is, milk abhisheka, is performed. Skanda Shashti is celebrated for eight days.

The priest also distributes the turmeric that is first applied to the Goddess. This turmeric blesses the girls to have a happy marital life; childless couples also come here and pray for a child.

Cow worship is another ritual that is performed daily in the morning. The evening arti happens between 4.30- 6.00 pm, in which Kumkum is majorly used. A puja happens on every new moon, during which a yagna happens with red chilies.