Dindigul kotaimariamman temple place in dindigul .The town wears a rapturous glow in the month of Masi (February / March) and it is the festive season in Sri Kottai Mariamman Temple. It is more than 200 years old. The Mariamman idol is said to be installed by the army of Tippu Sultan at the fort and so the temple is known as Kottai Mariamman Temple. The temple is crowded on Friday. Other deities include Vetri Vinayagar, Lord Muruga, Madurai Veeran, Kaali, Dhurga, karuppusamy and Navagraha.Sri Kottai Mariamman Kovil is more than 200 years old. The temple is built in a square shape. The idol of this temple is said to be installed by the soldiers of Tippu Sultan at the foot of the mountain. The temple got its name Kottai(Fort) Mariamman temple because of this. There are temples for Vetri Vinayaka at the South and Lord Muruga at the North of this temple.
There is a Mandapam Hall at the centre of where there is a sculpture of a Lion facing the Sannidhi. The deity Moolavar is seen here, embedded deeply under the floor in the sanctum Sanctorum. Various incarnations of the Goddess Mariamman are depicted on the sniper structure over the Sanctum Sanctorum.
A temple for Vinayaka is on the eastern side over the Amman Sannidhi and on western side, a temple for Madurai Veeran is also seen. On the front side, idols of Navagrahas can be seen. Idols of Kaalhi and Dhurga are on the back side of the temple. The golden shield will adorn the deity on every day between 5 PM to 9 PM. The temple is located in a two acre campus and is managed by a board of Trustees.
Temple History:
During the 18th century, there was only a small peeta and the idol of the deity. The army men of Tippu Sultan built a small mutt and installed the idol, which today is the Kottai Mariamman and guardian deity of the people of Dindigul. There are three special entrances to the temple. The processions are arranged through the front entrance. Other entrances are close to the Fort. The temple celebrates a 20 day festival each year.
Festival
Soon after the new moon day in the month of Masi, (February-March), on the fifth day, the festival flag would be hoisted for a 20 day celebration in the temple. The festival continues for 30 days.With the hoisting of temple flag that has a beautifully-sketched portrait of the Goddess Mariamman, the 20-day Masi festival commenced at Sri Kottai Mariamman Temple here on Tuesday.At the outset, special pujas were performed to the main deity and to the holy flag.Flag broughtPriests tied green sedge grass in the middle of the 'dwajasthambam (flag post)' and covered it with new white dhotis. After special pujas, the yellow colour holy flag was brought from the sanctum sanctorum to inner 'prakaram.'Later, the chief priest performed the eye-opening ceremony (drawing eyes on the portrait of Goddess Mariamman drawn on the flag).With music from percussion instruments, and chanting of holy hymns rending the air, the chief priest of the temple hoisted the flag on the flag post as large numbers of devotees witnessed the proceedings.A group of devotees from nearby villages carried 'palakombu' (holy pole) and installed it before the 'dwajasthambam.'Thousands of devotees poured water on the 'palakombu' and took part in the special pujas performed to the main deity.Holy car procession will take place on February 7, fire walk festival on February 22 and 'Dasavatharam' on February 23. The festival will conclude on February 26 with 'Theppa utsav.'
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