Arulmigu Dandu Mariamman temple: 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM.
Goddess Dandu Mariamman has been ever present in Coimbatore for millennia. However she let people know about her divine presence about 250 years ago during the reign of Tipu Sultan. Since the beginning of time Avinashi Road has been the eternal corridor that connected the city to the rest of the world. This road was used by the Pallava rulers to reach Coimbatore with their armies. During the later centuries the Uppilipalayam part of Avinashi Road was used as a camp to house the armies on the move. Such a place came to be known as Dandu meaning a tent being set up for hosting soldiers literally. Coimbatore came under the influence of the rulers of Mysore and when Tipu Sultan became the ruler, this region came under him. Tipu fought a number of battles against the British and finally succumbed in the year 1799 and Coimbatore came under their yoke thereafter. On the 24th of November 1804, Coimbatore was made the District Head Quarters and the city slowly evolved into a leading centre for commerce thereafter, thanks to the grace of the Dandu Mariamman and her sisters who still continue to usher in prosperity.
During the times of Tipu, his soldiers were ensconced inside the Fort and the good Goddess Dandu Mariamman decided to shower her grace on the city through one of her soldier devotees who had won her heart due to his piety. She gave a vision of herself in his dreams and told him that she had existed from time immemorial and will continue to exist for ever. Goddess Dandu Mariamman let her dear devotee know that she can be discovered amidst the neem trees and creepers near a water source. No sooner did it dawn, the soldier devotee and his friends went over to search for her and discovered her. They immediately installed her on a platform and later a temple was built for her in the same place. Thereafter she has been showering good health and wealth on the needy and the devoted.
Goddess Dandu Mariamman has cured many a disease. Whenever the people of the city were afflicted by small pox,plague or cholera they turned to her for she was sole refuge who cured them with her kind glance. Therefore whenever someone was afflicted by pox or similar ailments they promised to visit her and submit the ritual salt and pepper in front of her shrine on being cured. Besides this, seriously ill patients or their relatives offered to submit a clay model of the patient in front of her Sanctum after the complete cure, offer prayers to Dandu Mariamman and later place the same in the shrine of Muneeswarar found on the North Eastern corner of the temple. One can get to witness her curing miracles on an everyday basis while visiting the temple at any given point of time. This temple is also the home to the shrines of Ganesha, Mahalakshmi, Dakshinamurthy, Navagrahams and Subramanya. The temple is endowed with a Golden Car which is drawn around on request during the evenings. A regular Annadanam or free distribution of food is carried out everyday and devotees are welcome to contribute towards the same. Goddess Dandu Mariamman is believed to be the younger Sister of Goddess Koniamman and she participates in all the festivities connected with her elder sister regularly.
Goddess Dandu Mariamman is known for her efficacy in curing ailments and she is considered to be a form of Goddess Durga Devi. If the devotee or their family or friends make the offering of the lemon lamp at Rahu Kalam on Nine Tuesdays then the devotee will be blessed with a good spouse for eternity. Prayers on Fridays, Pournamis and Amavasais are considered to be wish fulfilling at this centuries old temple. The temple is known for its Poochaattu, Agnichaattu, Thiru vilakku Poojai, Sakthi Karagam, Vasantha Vizha, Tamilmurai Laksharchanai and the colourful Navarathri celebrations. Lakhs of devotees congregate in this temple at the times of celebrations and are blessed with her Supreme Grace. The annual concerts and programmes associated with this powerful deity are quite popular throughout this region. Several well known artistes have offered their best in her Divine presence. It is appropriate to read some important stanzas or the complete Sri Durga Saptha Shathi in her presence while also rendering some of the popular Tamil devotional hymns that celebrate her glory.
The all powerful Dandu Mariamman is sure to bless her devotees with good health and energy at all times.
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
The Nine sisters of Coimbatore - Part VII: Arulmigu Maakali Amman Temple - Click here