Coimbatore is the Rome of the Kongunad region in Tamilnadu. Thanks to its strategic importance the city was part of every major South Indian Empire and therefore acquired a Cosmopolitan flavour. One can find people speaking all the major peninsular languages in Coimbatore. The city was blessed with the waters of the monsoon fed River Noyyal and the network of water bodies which provided the bounties of nature to the local population. The people built several temples all over this area and the local community took a lot of interest in the same.
The town by itself was sparsely populated those days and the places of worship were part of everyday lives for all the citizens. The Nine Ammans or Goddesses of Coimbatore came to be known as the Nine Sisters who protected the people and provided them with health,wealth,happiness and a long life. The senior city historian Kovai Kizhar C.M.Ramachandran was among the earliest to document the same. These temples are quite old and are very much part of the cultural history of the city. The festivals,celebrations and regular prayers assume enormous significance and it is a pleasant surprise to note that the local communities of the city have been involved in a really inclusive manner.
The city has grown today and it becomes all the more important to rediscover the roots of its faith and culture. It is earnestly hoped that the pilgrims and tourists will take a holy dip into the confluence of faith and culture.
Let us now travel deep into faith and time in order to enjoy the spiritual fervour. The stories behind these deities and the people behind them offer a wonderful experience which is worth savouring. It is here that we can get to see the immense faith of the common man and the wonderful results that have accrued to him. The simple and functional temples which happen to be the residences of the Nine Sisters have really proved that faith and beauty are from the perspective of the devotee and the beholder.
This introduction is as an exercise which earnestly hopes to make this pilgrimage an unforgettable experience which will be etched in the memories of the devotees. Let us now take a brief look at each one the Nine Sisters and their temples.
First of all it is important to completely focus the mind on this exclusive pilgrimage in order to make the same worthwhile.
Devi or Ambal or Amman is believed to be the primordial energy. Worship of Devi is said to grant success and victory to the Sadhak at all times. Kind that she is, Devi accepts all kinds of prayers and offerings provided they are done in good faith. Adi Shankara has sung several hymns on Devi and also written treatises on several of the compositions which extol her virtues. Several other devotees like Sadasiva Brahmendram, Muthuswamy Dikshithar, Abhirami Bhattar among others have captivated the Supreme Mother through their wonderful compositions. It becomes enriching when such compositions are made part of prayers or such pilgrimages. The wealth of faith enters the vault of our soul and stays with us for good when we enjoy the devotion that form part of these songs and prayers. Our mind becomes relaxed and we enjoy the beauty our existence when we we really become aware of such valuable prayers.
The journey therefore offers stories,music.local food,curios and an experience of Coimbatore's interesting religious heritage. Its time that each and every Coimbatorean undertakes this enduring journey.
Arulmigu Koniamman Temple
Timings - 6 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.
Koniamman is the guardian deity of the city. Long ago there was an Irula chieftain known as Kovan and the city derives its name from his. He was greatly devoted to Koniamman who is none other than Devi herself. Interestingly Koniamman takes the name by virtue of being the deity who protected the ruler and the ruled. Subsequently a temple was built for her near the Fort area on the Big Bazaar Street. The elders of the city got together a endowed a larger established during the year 1981 and now a large 85 feet tall and imposing Raja Gopuram has been added to the temple in 2014. The Icon is representative of Durga Mahishasuramardini,the destroyer of evil and the protector of the down trodden and afflicted.
The Koniamman Temple is quite spacious and has shrines for Panchamukha Vinayakar,Navagrahams with their consorts, Shantha Vinayakar, Subramanyaswamy with his consorts Valli and Devayani,Adi Koniamman, Durgai Amman and Koniamman. The Sanctum tower has three Kalasams and this is quite unique. The lovely Paavai lamps in the Mahamandapam are a sight to behold. This temple offers Annadanam to about 100 people everyday. The Prasadam counter offers quite a few tasty items. Devotees offer salt at the entrance in order to ward of evil and the effects of a jealous eye.
The annual car festival of this temple is quite famous and this runs through the Pettai area from Raja street to Oppanakkara street and passes through Vysial street , Karuppa Gounder street and reaches its location known as the Ther Mutti. Lakhs of people participate in this,the chaattu and the Thirukalyanam which is conducted annually. The float festival is held at the Arulmigu Venugopalaswamy temple tank at Raja street. The Adi velli and Navarathri poojas at this temple are well attended. Several wedding engagements,weddings and the first meeting between the bride and the groom are held here. Uppu Jawuli, a major event which forms part of the wedding shopping is done here by everyone. Besides all this the the Karagams and Agnichaattus of all the temples of this region begin at this auspicious temple. The form of Devi here is known as Selva Raja Rajeswari,the bestower of wealth and good fortune. It is considered to be a good omen if one gets to have a darshan of her in the Thanga Paavadai.
People of all denominations from Coimbatore and its neighbourhood can be seen here offering their prayers with great faith and devotion. The recitation of Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam,Sri Lalitha Trisathi and the Mahishasuramardini Stotram as this temple is considered to be appropriate.