August 16, 2013: Thousands of devotees from nearby villages, towns and districts thronged the Mariamman Temple at Irukkangudi, eight km from here, on Thursday. Many more pilgrims were on their way, either on ‘padayatra’ or in vehicles to worship the presiding deity on the last Friday of the Tamil month Aadi (August 16). Special bus services were also being operated.

Residents of Kalingapatti, Menmeni, Mettupatti, Nathathupatti, Vannimadai, Pothireddipatti, Periya Odaipatti, Mulluseval, Nalli, Subbulapuram and Kalingamettupatti could be seen making a beeline to the temple. Hundreds of men and children waited in long queues to tonsure their heads. Some of them preferred to bore their ear lobes. Free bathing points were established at a few places.

Merry-go-round, giant wheels and a liquor shop run by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) were reporting good business. All kinds of make-shift shops selling eatables, toys, pooja materials had sprung up at several points. Some women carried small earthen pots of fire on their neem-leaves covered palms while others carried earthen dolls or tiny figurines or a ‘pot with thousand eyes.’ Many invoked blessings of the Goddess seeking favours while others thanked the Goddess for her favours. However, several people make it a point to stay the night at the temple so that they can watch the procession of the deity on Friday before returning to their homes.

The idol of Mariamman normally appears in a sitting posture with left leg folded. On the other hand, here her right leg is folded. As per the legend, this temple was situated between the Arjuna and the Vaipar rivers. The Arjuna river originated from the Mahalinga Hills in Watrap, while the Vaipar flowed through Karivalamvandhanallur, Sattur and Kollampatti and joined the Arjuna river at Irukkangudi. Though the rivers have run dry, they have not reduced the devotion of devotees.

Source: The Hindu, DT. August 16, 2013.