Arulmigu Maakali Amman Temple: 6.30 AM to 12.30 PM and 4.30 PM and 8.30 PM.
The story of the legendary King Vikramaditya and his devotion to Mahakali at Ujjain has been part of our lore for centuries. The stories of Vikram and the Vetal which lived on the drumstick tree continues to draw the old and young alike at all times. Raja Vikramaditya had a throne with many statuettes of women embedded on it. If one had to ascend the throne the aspirant would have to provide suitable answers to questions raised by the statuettes. These questions dealt with Governance and the wisdom that should be exercised by a leader or ruler of a place.Unless one answered them properly it would not be possible to ascend the steps leading to the throne. It was kind of an entrance test which helped evaluate the suitability of a person for the job. Today many of us adorn positions in the place of work or in our society and we should think about our own suitability and appropriateness while occupying them. On thinking about this and if found wanting by our own assessment or by others it is best to equip ourselves by using every possible means . In order to do so we would surely require the grace of Mahakali, the Sister of the tutelary deity of Coimbatore - Goddess Koniamman.
The holy shrine of Maakali Amman is located in a small lane in the Poo Market area of the city. It is so nice that the Divine Mother is surrounded by flowers that add to the fragrance and beauty of the city. Coimbatore is very popular for its flower trade and decorations. In fact the Crafts Council of Tamilnadu has come out with a documentation of same through its path breaking publication - Pushpanjali, a beautiful book with excellent illustrations and pictures about floral decorations. The floral skills of the city have also improved the economic background of a number of people over the years. It has shown the world that the Coimbatoreans are equally skilled in exhibiting their aesthetics at all times.
The ancient temple is said to be centuries old and a number of Kannada speaking families consisting of Vokkaligas are very much attached to this temple - particularly the family of Shri.Nataraj, the original promoters of the Anandkumar Mills.There are shrines for Ganesha,Hanuman,Shivan,Kannimar,Nagar under the peepal tree or Arasamaram,Vettaikarasamy,Muneeswaran,Karupparayan, Alagu Nachiyamman and Pattalamman. Adi Velli,Navarathri and Amavasais are the times when a number of devotees congregate to pray here. The ladies of the city prefer to visit the temple particularly on Tuesdays and Fridays. During the month of Adi and the Fridays associated with this sacred month, all the old trader associations come in as groups and offer their special prayers which will include Abhishekams,Alankarams,Salutations and Naivedyam will be distributed to everyone present on the occasion.
Goddess Koniamman visits her Sister Maakali Amman at the time of her wedding and the car festival. She takes her along to take part in the celebrations. Goddess Maakali Amman comes back home after enjoying the festivities associated with her younger Sister Goddess Koniamman. People pray here and while doing so they offer one lemon or a garland of lemons to the deity. They take one lemon along with them after the prayer and preserve it in their homes. This is said to protect the family of the devotees and their household. The devotees who frequent this powerful shrine make ritual offerings as part of their prayers and in turn Goddess Maakali Amman fulfills the wishes and ensures the well being of her people.
The temple is also home to an Arasamarathu Vinayakar which is virtually hidden at the base of this very large tree. This large Arasa Maram or Peepal tree should be more than 200 years old and this shrine can be accessed from the main road. Anyone who goes around this Vinayakar is sure to be blessed with the abundance of Oxygen and the good grace of the eternal obstacle remover.
It is appropriate to recite the Mahishasura Mardhini Stotram at this ancient Maakali Amman Temple.
Some more related article:
The Nine Sisters of Coimbatore - Part 1: Arulmigu Koniamman Temple - Click here
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part II Arulmigu Bhadrakali Amman Temple - Click here
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part III: Arulmigu Kamakshi Amman Temple - Click here
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part IV: Arulmigu Ankala Parameswari Amman Temple - Click here
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part V: Arulmigu Vasavi Kannika Parameswari Amman Temple - Click here
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part VI: Arulmigu Arulmigu Ramalinga Sowdeswari Temple - Click here