Mariamman Temple

Mariamman temple also known as Vandiyur Mariamman Temple in Madurai. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of rain, Mariamman near the river Vaigai. The deity is associated with rain & fertility and stands as a prominent spiritual & cultural landmark in the region.

It is a perfect example of the traditional Dravidian style architecture which includes carvings & lively sculptures. It is well known for the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam which is a holy water tank or pond in the temple. It is one of the largest temple tanks in South India which is spread across 16 acres. In the center, a mandapam is present housing an idol of lord Ganesha.

Festivals Celebrated:

Every year, Float Festival or Teppothsavam is grandly celebrated in the months of January or February. In this festival, deities are paraded on boats in the water which are brightened with colorful lights.

History:

The temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The current temple structure & the tank were constructed in 1646 by King Thirumalai Nayak. During the excavation for bricks to build the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, an idol of Lord Ganesha was found. That 7 feet idol can be visited in the Meenakshi Amman temple. Later the area was transformed into a temple tank which is now known as Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. The temple complex includes shrines for Goddess Pechi Amman and Lord Ganesha.

How To Reach:

Mariamman temple is located at a distance of around 4.8 KM from Madurai bus stand and around 5.3 KM from Madurai railway station. You can take a local bus or taxi to reach the temple easily.