Irukkangudi Mariyamman Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Mother Mariamman is between two rivers, Arjuna and Vaiparu praised equal to Holy Ganga. Hence, Amman is praised as Irukkankudi – between rivers – Mari Amman. The devotee thus gets the benefit of bathing in two Gangas. Arjuna springs from the Mahalinga Hills in Vatrairuppu. During their forest life, Pandavas were in this region, they came to the foot of this hill for a bath. But there was no water anywhere. Arjuna prayed to Mother Ganga and pierced the earth with his arrow from where sprang the Arjuna river. Pandavas had a pleasant bath.

The river flowing on the south side is called Vaipparu. This also has a puranic story. A hunter, Sambugan by name performed severe penance standing in the midst of fire north of Shivashailam at the foot of Pothigai hills. This penance caused a death in Ayodhya when it was under Lord Rama’s rule. Angry Rama marched with His army and killed Sambugan. He restored the man to life who died in His land. (This event is described in the Utharakanda of Ramayana). Incurring the sin of killing Sambugan, Rama installed a Shivalinga in Shiva hills, worshipped Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin. Lord Rama then reached the Western Ghats with his army. One Shambavan in the entourage told Rama that Sage Agasthya had hidden a pot in this place containing waters of all holy rivers. Rama was happy. He hit the hidden pot with an arrow from which a river sprang up. Vaippi means hidden. As the river flew from Vaipi, it is known as Vaipparu. Vaipparu flows through Karivalam Vandha Nallur, Sattur, Kollampatti and joins Arjuna river in Irukkankudi and flows further through Muthulapuram and Vilathikulam before reaching the ocean.

Temple History: This happened 300 years ago between Arjuna and Vaiparu rivers. A priest – Poosari – woman filled her basket with the cow dung she gathered and was prepared to go home with the basket but could not lift it alone. She asked others to help her. They too could not lift the basket. She herself was influenced by the power of Goddess and exclaimed that Amman was under the ground where the basket was placed and ordered them to take Her out and build a temple.

The villagers found the idol of Mother Amman, built the temple and are doing the pujas. Since then, She is the deity for the villagers taking care of their welfare.

The sanctum sanctorum is under a beautiful vimana. The Artha Mandap and Maha Mandap are close to the sanctum. Sri Nandeeswara and flag post-Kodimaram are in a line. Lord Vinayaka is under the Arasa Maram. On the west are Vazha Vandha Amman and Rakachi Amman. Pechi Amman and Muppidari Amman are in separate shrines on the northwest. Kathavarayan and Vairavamurthi are in the east. Karuppusami is in southeast corner. Devotees worship all these deities and...

According to legend, three hundred years ago between the rivers Arjuna and Viparu, a priest wanted to carry home a basket of cow dung that he had collected but could not carry alone. He asked others to help him, but no one was able to carry the basket. The priest, under the influence of Amman, said that Amman was in the ground under the basket and ordered them to take him out and build a temple. The villagers found the idol of Mari Amman and built the temple.

The sanctum Santorum is under a vimana. The Artha Mandapp and Maha Mandapp are close to the sanctum. Sri Nandeeswara and flag post-Kodimaram are in a line. Lord Vinayaka is under the Arasa Maram. On the west are Vazha Vandha Amman and Rakachi Amman. Pechi Amman and Muppidari Amman are in separate shrines in the northwest. Kathavarayan and Vairavamurthi are in the east. Karuppusami is in the southeast corner. Devotees worship all these deities and Mariamman in order.

Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple is located east of Sattur in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, and the Goddess Mariamman, a powerful deity whose protective and healing powers are most glorified. This temple is environs by serenity and features spiritual values. It is particularly famous for its annual festivals, especially the Panguni festival, which attracts thousands of devotees. It is not only the temple's history, en routed in local legends, but also the traditional Dravidian architecture of this temple that makes it an important cultural and religious point of interest in the area. A visit to this temple enhances religious devotion and appreciation of heritage for the region and community spirit. During the visit, the serene temple, with all its colourful festivals and zealous worship by devotees, offered a view into these deeply etched traditions and enduring faith that marked Tamil Nadu's spiritual landscape. It must be a pilgrim on this quest for blessings or a traveller on this cultural landmark—this Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple is sure to impress. If you visit in the evening hours , you can worship the goddess little free and get...

Arulmigu Irukkankudi Mariamman Kovil ? Arulmigu Mariamman Temple is located at Irukkangudi about 8 km East of Sathur on Thiruchendur Highway via Vilathikulam from Trichy, Madurai and Virudhunagar. This temple is 500 years old.

About The Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple ? The sanctum sanctorum is under a beautiful vimana. The Artha Mandap and Maha Mandap are close to the sanctum. Sri Nandeeswara and flag post-Kodimaram are in a line. Lord Vinayaka is under the Arasa Maram. On the west are Vazha Vandha Amman and Rakachi Amman. Pechi Amman and Muppidari Amman are in separate shrines on the northwest. Kathavarayan and Vairavamurthi are in the east. Karuppusami is in southeast corner. Devotees worship all these deities and Mariamman in order.

About The Deity ? Traditionally, Mother Mariamman appears in a sitting posture with left leg folded and the right hanging. It is vice-versa here.

Legend and Stories ? This temple is located between the two rivers Vaipparu and Arjuna. As two Ganges meet here it got its name Irukkangudi. River Arjuna flowing in the Northern part of this temple originates at Mahalinga hills known as Vathira Iruppu hills in the west. According to “Thiruthankal Temple Lore” once upon a time when Pancha Pandavas came here, Arjuna prayed to Goddess Ganga and split the earth with ‘Varunakanai'(arrow) forming a river. The river formed as a result came to be known as Arjuna river.

? River Vaipparu flows in the Southern part of this temple. According to Uthira Kandam of Epic Ramayana. A hunter named Sambukan indulged in deep penance amidst fire in the Northern part of Sivasailam at the foot of Podhigai hills. As a result a Brahman died at Ayodhi. Sri Raman, king of Ayodya killed Sambukan and brought back the...