Ammangudi Durgaiamman Temple, Ammangudi Mahishasuramardhini Temple near Kumbakonam…
There is a popular Mahishasuramardhini Temple, situated in Ammangudi, located near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, and it is one of the powerful temples, dedicated to Ma Devi Durga and Lord Kailasanathar.
The Address of the temple:
Ammangudi Kailasanathar Durga Parameswari Temple,
Ammangudi, Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk,
Thanjavur District – 612 202
Phone: +91 435 246 7167 Mobile: +9194430 46255 / 94439 32983
Here the chief deity (Moolavar) is worshipped as Lord Kailasanathar and Durgai Amman is worshipped as Devi Durga Parameswari.
The temple was built during the Chola period, and it is believed to have been consecrated by Krishnarama Brahmarayar, the chief commander of the army of Rajaraja Chola I, in 944 A.D. During the Chola period, it was known by names like Ammangudi and Rajarajeswaram.
As per ancient legend, Mahishasura was wearing a Lingam around his neck, which Devi Durga removed from his severed neck and installed as Lord Kailasanathar in Ammangudi. Devi then started doing rigorous penance for 12 years and installed a Vinayaka idol for uninterrupted penance. After 12 years, Lord Kailasanathar appeared before her, telling her that the evil effects of slaying Mahishasura had vanished, and instructed her to remain in Ammangudi to protect devotees. Thus, the place came to be known as Ammangudi(The place of holy Amman(Divine Mother)).
Devotees believe that Goddess Durga, after slaying Mahishasura, took a holy dip in the Cauvery River and then reached Ammangudi. She washed her trident in the temple pond at Ammangudi. This tank is known as Papa Vimochana Theertham, as it is believed to cleanse the sins of the devotees.
She is also known as Durga Parameswari or Mahishasuramardhini and is depicted seated on her lion mount with eight hands, holding various weapons.
The temple doesn’t contain a separate shrine for Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) since Devi Durga herself presides over them. Notable deities in the temple include the Sun God, Saraswathi, and Ganesha.
Devotees visit this temple to seek relief from sins, for a blessed marriage life and blessings of children, and improved knowledge and concentration for students. Special pujas for reducing the negative effects of planetary aspects, relief from sins (Dosham), and blessings for children are held here. Devotees also pray to Lord Ganesha (Tapas Maragatha Vinayakar) for knowledge and concentration in education.
The temple celebrates various festivals, including Maha Shivaratri, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Panguni Uthiram, Karthigai, Navaratri, Durga Ashtami, and special pujas on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Mondays for various purposes such as marriage, wealth, child blessings, disease relief, and more. The temple holds a special Sura Samharam festival on the eighth day of Navaratri.
The Mahishasuramardhini Temple in Ammangudi is not only a place of worship but also a site rich in history, legends, and unique features. It holds spiritual significance for devotees seeking various blessings and is a center of religious and cultural activities. It is believed that this temple was built in 944 A.D.
SONGS IN PRAISE OF OUR HOLY MOTHER MA AMMANGUDI DURGAIAMMAN
Hey my dear holy mother, you are the powerful Durga, the merciful Amman, the magnificent Kali, the dynamic Meenakshi, the soft natured Annai Kamakshi, Kamalakshi, Visalakshi.
Hey my dear mother please give us Bhakti, and by the way we could attain great Shakti (Powers) and in course of time, we would attain Mukti (Salvation).
Hey my dear Ammangudiamma, even during my joyful as well as fearful times, my mouth must utter your names only. In times of sleep, I would dream only about you, and during my death bed also, my mind would think only about you, and I would chant only your names.
Hey my dear benevolent soft natured AMMA, even if I have been put on fire, I would never curse you, but I would consider the dreaded fire as one of your blessings only. Even if I have been eaten up by wild animals like lion and tiger, I would consider them as your holy vehicles, and I wilfully give my life by reciting your precious names.
Hey my dear Devi Durga, since you have several numbers of rich devotees, don’t forget this poor devotee, since you have adorned with precious garments and ornaments, don’t neglect my simple offerings, since you are the Loga Nayaki (The Universal Mother), since you are the mother of Lord Vinayaka and Muruga, don’t forget me and consider me as one of your sons.
Hey my precious mother, please fulfil my wishes quickly since I am very much concerned about it! Please remove my miseries and sorrows through your merciful eyes, and please make me to live in this earth without facing any difficulties.
Hey mother, whenever I call you, please don’t hesitate to hear, whenever I see you, please have a look at me, whenever I worship you, please acknowledge it with your kindness, whenever I commit any mistakes with or without my knowledge, please don’t punish me, but, instead of that, bless me, for not committing anymore mistakes in my future life!
Hey Gowri, Jagadamba, Mathangi, I must see only your image on everybody. I must consider everyone as your aspects, I must do only good things in my life, I must eat only your Prasad, I must take bath only in your temple ponds, I must talk only about you, I must visit only your temples, I must realise you even during my madness, I must offer you the holy flowers by considering it to be the divine flower Parijatha and I must have to lay down in your lap by seeing your kind face again and again.
“OM SRI AMMANGUDIAMMA POTRI”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR