- Deity
- Mariamman
- Location
- About 15 km north of Tiruchirappalli
- Busiest days
- Tuesdays and Fridays
- Main festivals
- Poochoridal, Chithirai car festival, Thaipoosam
- Nearest airport
- Tiruchirappalli
- Nearest railway station
- Tiruchirappalli Junction
What makes it special
Each year, from the last Sunday of the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), the goddess is believed to observe a 28-day fast, the Pachai Pattini Viratham, for the good of the world. During this time she is offered only liquids such as tender coconut water and juices instead of cooked food, and flowers are showered on her.
People who have recovered from illness often return to give thanks. Devotees light maavilakku, lamps shaped from rice flour and jaggery and filled with ghee.
Festivals
The temple is busy all year, and especially on Tuesdays and Fridays. The main events are:
- Poochoridal: the flower-showering festival that begins on the last Sunday of Masi.
- Chithirai Ther (car) festival in April–May.
- Vaikasi Panchaprakaram in May–June.
- Thaipoosam in January–February, spread over several days.
Offerings and vows
Tonsuring (head shaving), archanai, abhishekam and ear-piercing ceremonies for children are common. Many women offer thali (mangalsutra) pendants in the hundi, and farmers bring paddy. Some devotees carry fire pots or roll around the temple precincts in fulfilment of vows, and annadhanam (free feeding) is an important part of temple life.
Timings, dress and how to reach
The temple opens early in the morning, closes for part of the day and reopens in the afternoon until about 9 pm; hours are extended on festival days, so check locally. Wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees.
Samayapuram is on the Chennai–Trichy highway, about 15 km north of Tiruchirappalli, which has a major railway junction and an airport. Frequent buses run from Trichy's bus stands. Madurai is about 140 km away. We can combine Samayapuram with Srirangam and the Rockfort Temple in a Trichy temple day.
Also nearby
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