Koniamman is the guardian deity of Coimbatore. She is one of the nine sisters who have been protecting Coimbatore for ages. The others are Makaliamman (Poomarket), Bhadrakaliamman (Thuraiyar Veedhi), Draupadiamman (K.G Street), Vasavi Kannikaparameswariamman (Vysial Street), Kamakshiamman (Big Bazaar Street), Sowdamman (Raja Street), Dandumariamman (Avinashi Road) and Ankala Parameswariamman (Vysial Street).
Koniamman is the guardian deity of Coimbatore. She is one of the nine sisters who have been protecting Coimbatore for ages. The others are Makaliamman (Poomarket), Bhadrakaliamman (Thuraiyar Veedhi), Draupadiamman (K.G Street), Vasavi Kannikaparameswariamman (Vysial Street), Kamakshiamman (Big Bazaar Street), Sowdamman (Raja Street), Dandumariamman (Avinashi Road) and Ankala Parameswariamman (Vysial Street).
Long ago an Irula tribal ruler Kovan prayed to this Goddess and it was a time when the city was engulfed by forests. This was due to its proximity to the western ghats. The River Noyyal used to flood the region during the time of the monsoons. Those were the days when Roman merchants visited the region in search of agricultural implements, gems and cotton textiles. The export surplus came in the form of gold and silver coins. People believed that silver would ward of an evil eye and keep the wearer safe from the effects of witchcraft. Centuries later Aditya Chola (875 - 907 AD) took over the Kongu country and Coimbatore which was known as Kovanpadhy / Kovanpudhur came under his care.
The Noyyal River Civilization began to flourish with the construction of a temple for Goddess Koniamman. A number of water bodies like the Ukkadam Kulam came in handy for the people and they began to prosper. The float festival for Koniamman used to take place on the temple tank which was located on the opposite side of the temple. It had to be closed due to the advent of plague and the festival began to be held at the Raja Street Venugopala Krishnaswamy Temple Theppakulam (temple tank) .
Goddess Koniamman is a form of Devi Durga Mahishasuramardhini who is known as Selva Raja Rajeswari, the bestower of wealth and fortune. Interestingly Koniamman takes the name by virtue of being the deity who protected the ruler and the ruled. The Koniamman Ther Thiruvizha or the Car Festival is an important annual event which brings the full city together. The Goddess lived in the fort area and the temple car was located at 'Ther Mutti' on Raja Street. The four streets which are frequented by the deity are Raja Street, Oppanakkara Street, Vysial Street and Karuppa Gounder Street (KG Street). Most of the cities have Vadukkuratha Veedhi (North Car Street) kind of names but Coimbatore is not thus endowed.
The Car Festival, Chaattu and Thirukalyanam are important events. Most of the women in the city visit the temple at the time of the Chaattu and offer their prayers. The temple will be full of women cutting across all sections of the society. Turmeric, vermillion , glass bangles etc.,would be the order of the day. People used to visit the Thermutti (the place for the temple car) on Raja Street from the morning of the Car Festival Day. A lot of salt would be offered to the deity. The Thermutti is usually decked and painted just before the festival. The family of V.S.Sengottiah has been getting it done for a long time. His great grandsons Sengottian and Raja have been continuing the tradition.
I remember the Thiruvizha from my childhood days. My mother Aravindakumari and grandmother Lalitha Bai used to make two lamps made of rice flour and jaggery with ghee and wicks. Two raw onions and sweet Pongal were part of the fare. A silver kooja would also be used. All the unmarried kids would be made to hold it on their head on a simmadu (a head towel placed like a thattu idli) and just slowly spin around. This was later offered in the temple and brought back. we used to eat this ' jothipindi ' Great granny Rajalakshmi had begun this practice in our family which has been in Coimbatore for about 108 years thus far (since 1912).
The festival day would see a big power cut for the electric lines had to be removed in order to facilitate the movement of the Koniamman Temple Car. Hundreds of devotees used to draw the car and a team would take care of the brakes, turning points as well. The streets used to be full of people. Panju mittai, kutchi ice-cream, ice fruit, soda, mini giant wheels, two girl dolls doing ring a ring a roses, balloons, whistles, snacks, free distribution of butter milk and snacks would fill up the streets. Residents would be waiting on both the sides of the streets and the side lanes eagerly. Koniamman the Selva Raja Rajeswari of Coimbatore would be visiting everyone that day. Therefore they would be ready with flowers, fruits, sweets, turmeric pods, betel leaves and a lot of devotion.
The finely caprisoned car would be a sight to behold. It’s tall and stately appearance with colourful festoons added to its majesty. The wooden parts with carvings depicting the culture of the region. It’s huge wooden wheels which would stop and creak while brakes get applied. The processional deity would be on the top and the Aarati plate would go up and come down many times. Crowds singing praises of the deity will add to the ecstasy of the day. The policemen of city and their efforts to maintain calm and order at the time of this event has been part of our times. The tall head dresses worn by them during the yonder years added to the flavour of the festival. Kids used to enjoy the day which was full of sweets and joy. While the elders would be in eager anticipation to receive the grace of Koniamman.
I still remember our old house 'Raju Bhavan' on Vysial Street. My great grandfather P.A.Raju Chettiar would be ready to seek the blessings of the Goddess. All of us used to be there along with him. Our house verandah would be filled with members of the family. The deity used to stop briefly in front of our house and car ropes used for drawing would to be lowered. Great grandfather P.A.Raju Chettiar would go near the car, look up, fold his hands and offer his prayers. We used to follow him. An arati used to be done and it used to come down. He used to use his hands and feel the warmth of the flame and take it to his face . The kumkumam and vibhuti offered used to be applied on his forehead which was already ordained with a red namam. My fair complexioned great grandfather would be in his flowing khadi clothes and he used to sport a tuft on his head. He would have removed the angavastram (shoulder cloth) and wear it around his waist as a mark of devotion. The family members and household help including Avasaram (Dhandayudham) used to accompany him. It used to be a great moment for all of us. We used to stand on our doorstep and watch the car till it moved to the next street. We used to invite all our local relatives to witness the Car Festival.
The Guru Hotel family was always associated with the temple and the car festival. The Managing Director of Shobha Cloth Centre Jafer Ali used to sponsor the serial light settings for the same. The troupe under one Karunanidhi of Thiruvarur used to install the light settings. Kuppuraj, the manager of Shobha Cloth Centre and the rest of the staff used to offer their prayers to the deity at Oppanakkara Street. Rajendra Textiles T. P. Krishnan and members from all religious groups used to receive the Koniamman Temple Car in Oppanakkara Street. K. G. Mariappan of Guru Hotel used to play an important role during those years.
My aunt Subbulakshmi and uncle Pathi Raghunath got married on 5/3/1964. The Koniamman Car Festival was on the previous evening. The wedding was held on Vysial Street at our residence. All our family weddings had been held at our huge residence. A huge pandal was to be erected for the wedding. However it had to wait for the temple car to move ahead. No sooner did the temple car move, a huge team of people worked at break neck speed and put the pandal in place. The pandal, decorations and lights were ready in a jiffy. All the festivities took place thereafter. The father of the bride, P.A.R. Viswanathan had put in the best organizational efforts to ensure the making of the pandal in record time. The guests were spell bound. Famous actress and dancer E.V.Saroja had performed at the wedding reception which was held later. Those were the days.
The Koniamman Car Festival has always been a great occasion which united the people of the city. Coimbatoreans were always known for their camaraderie and it was more so during the Koniamman Ther Thiruvizha.