Tamil Nadu is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and its deeply rooted spiritual traditions. Goddess Amman holds a special place in the hearts of Hindu people. Goddess Amman is a manifestation of goddess Shakthi. Numerous devotees worshipping Goddess Amman throughout India and beyond. Here, we explore ten of the most famous Amman temples in Tamil Nadu.
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Amman Temple, located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is a historic temple complex originally dating back to the 4th century CE, with its current structure built in the 16th–17th centuries. According to Hindu legend, the god Shiva came to Madurai as Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, the daughter of the Pandya ruler and a manifestation of the goddess Parvati. The temple is dedicated to their divine union. This temple is known for its intricate sculptures, towering gopurams, and the annual Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival, which attracts thousands of devotees.
Address: Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple, Madurai - 625001, Madurai District
Timing: Temple hours from 5:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
2. Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, Trichy
The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Shakti, is in Samayapuram, just 16.8 km from the city center of Trichy District. Mariamman is a manifestation of the ancient energy of Durga, Maha Kali, or Adi Shakti, the Mother Goddess. This temple is one of the most famous shrines of Goddess Shakti in Tamil Nadu. The temple attracts thousands of devotees weekly, particularly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The event known as "Poochoridhal" is very famous. Over 300,000 devotees attended this event, which takes place in Maasi. Additionally, the Chithirai Ther Thiruvizha is highly renowned. Every year, on the first Tuesday of the month of Chithirai, devotees gather to witness the goddess grace the Chithirai chariot procession.
Address: Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram - 621112, Thiruchirappalli District
Timing: Temple hours are from 5:00 am to 11:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
3. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram
In the temple town of Kanchipuram, the Kamakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Kamakshi, a form of Parvati the supreme goddess in Shaktism. This temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peedams. The temple's origins are debated, with some attributing its founding to the Pallava kings between the 5th and 8th centuries CE, while others suggest it was built by the Cholas in the 14th century, or even as recently as 1783. The temple honours Kamakshi but also includes a shrine for Vishnu in his Varaha form... Kamakshi is worshipped in five forms within the shrine. The annual festival takes place in the Tamil month of Masi, from mid-February to mid-March. The most important day is Maasi Pooram, celebrating the Avirbhava dhina of Lalitha Maha Tripura Sundari in Kanchi.
Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannathi St, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502
Timing: Temple is open from 5:30 AM to 12 PM and 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM
4. Masani Amman Temple, Anaimalai
Masani Amman is a Hindu deity primarily worshipped as a family deity (Kuladevi) by certain communities in Tamil Nadu, where she is regarded as an avatar (incarnation) of Adi Parashakti. This temple is in Anaimalai, Pollachi area, in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is located on grassland near the Anaimalai Hills. The temple enshrines the sleeping goddess Masani Amman as its presiding deity, depicted in a unique lying posture measuring 15 ft (4.6 m) from head to foot.
Address: Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, Anaimalai – 642104, Coimbatore District.
Timing: The temple hours are from 6:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
5. Punnainallur Mariamman Temple, Thanjavur
The temple is in Punnai Nallur, in the Thanjavur district. Here, the goddess is worshipped in the form of Suyambu Moorthy, and she is also revered by names like Durga, Mariamman, and Muthumari. In general, all Fridays are special, but the Fridays in the Tamil month of Aadi are particularly significant. Devotees flock to the temple in August/September, a season closely associated with this goddess. Sundays are considered the most auspicious days for worshipping the goddess.
Address: No-19, Mariamman Kovil, Arulmolipet, Thanjavur, TamilNadu 613001
Timing: The temple hours are from 5:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
6. Bannari Amman Temple, Erode
The Arulmigu Bannari Mariamman Temple is located in Bannari, in the Erode district. The main deity is Goddess Bannari, an avatar of Goddess Shakti and known as the goddess of rain. She is considered powerful in both Tamil and Kannada folklore. Here, the goddess appears as Suyambu, so vibhuti (sacred ash) is not offered. Instead, termite mound soil is given as prasadam. During the 20-day Panguni Kundam festival, hundreds of thousands of devotees come to witness the celebrations.
Address: National Highway 209, Sathyamangalam Taluk, Erode District, Tamil Nadu 638401
Timings: The temple hours are from 5:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
7. Suyambu Varahi Amman Temple, Ramanathapuram
The Varahi Amman Temple, located in Uthirakosamangai, Ramanathapuram district, holds great significance for worshippers of Varahi Amman. The goddess is present in a self-manifested form, covered with silver armour. This temple, nearly 3200 years old, exists alongside the world’s first Shiva temple, Mangalanatha Swamy Temple, in Uthirakosamangai. The temple practices a unique form of worship where devotees grind turmeric into a paste outside the sanctum sanctorum and apply it to the idol to seek the goddess's blessings.
Address: Sri Mangalanathar-Mangaleswari temple, Utrakosamangai, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu
Timing: The temple is open from 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM
8. Angala Parameshwari Temple, Melmalayanur
The Arulmigu Angala Parameswari Temple is situated in Melmalayanur, in the Villupuram district. It is one of the most renowned temples in Tamil Nadu, where the goddess is known as "Putru Devi." Goddess Angala Parameswari is regarded as the primal force of the universe, responsible for creating the cosmos and the holy trinity. In the sanctum sanctorum, the termite mound itself is worshipped as the goddess. Although there are many temples dedicated to Angala Parameswari, the Melmalayanur temple is considered the most significant.
Address: Sri Angala Parameshvari Temple, Melmalayanur, Kodukankuppam, Tamil Nadu 604204
Timing: The Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
9. Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari Temple is situated in the city of Kanyakumari, the southernmost city of India. It is a popular tourist destination and a revered pilgrimage site, believed to be a Shakti Peedam where the shoulder of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen, imbuing the region with kundalini Shakti. According to the legend of the Kumari Amman temple, the demon Banasura had captured all the devas and held them in captivity. As per a boon, he could be killed only by a girl. In response to the devas' prayers, Goddess Parasakthi took the form of Kumari, a girl, to kill the demon. The devotion to Goddess Kanya Kumari dates to the ancient period of Kumari Kandam.
Address: Kumari Amman Temple, Sannathy Street, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, 629702
Timing: The temple is open from 4:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
10. Shri Karumari Amman Temple, Thiruverkadu
The Tiruverkadu Devi Karumariamman Temple is a Hindu temple located in Tiruverkadu, a suburb of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to the deity Karumariamman, whose idol in the sanctum sanctorum exhibits the graceful features of Parasakthi. There is also a shrine with a wooden idol of Karumariamman, referred to as Wooden Idol Amman. Sundays are celebrated as the day of Karumari. Twice a year, one can witness the remarkable sight of sun rays falling on the head of Devikarumari.
Address: Sannadhi St, Vallikollaimedu, Thiruverkadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077
Timing: The Temple is open from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM