On the bank of the Kaveri near Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu stands the Samayapuram Mariamman temple, one of the largest and most visited shrines of the Goddess Mariamman — the beloved Mother of the Tamil land who guards against illness and grants health and protection. The self-manifested image, made of sand and clay, is revered as wonderfully powerful, and is never given a full water abhishekam, being honoured instead with sandal and turmeric.
Mariamman of Samayapuram is thronged by vast crowds, especially during her great Chithirai festival, when devotees offer fire-pots and undertake vows for healing and wellbeing. Among the most richly endowed temples of Tamil Nadu, Samayapuram is a supreme seat of the folk Mother-goddess of the South.
