 The Maha Mariamman Temple in Valangaiman Varadarajam Pettai Street, Thiruvaroor. Maha Mariamman is also known as Seethala Devi. Her graceful and comforting form is fourhanded with the sword and
damaru (udukkai as it is known in Tamil) on the right hands and
paasa - the rope of bondage - and fire on the left hands. A five-hooded cobra canopies Her, Her eyes dispelling Her grace all around.
The story behind Seethala Devi
According to tradition, a couple left their girl-child, a baby, in the Ayyanar temple of Pungancheri, around 200 years back. The orphaned baby was lying in the temple and another couple - residents of Valangaiman Varadarajam Pettai Street found the baby and they took her home, adapting her as their daughter. She grew up under their loving care. Unfortunately, the child was afflicted with smallpox and died. The couple buried the mortal remains of the child in their backyard, erected a simple structure of bamboo sticks and coconut fronds over the
samadhi. Their love for the child was so immense that they started worshipping Her in the
samadhi.
Paadai Kaavadi
It is today a very staunch belief that She protects whoever worships Her and devotees throng her temple because it is
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said that Seethala Devi brings good health and prosperity to all Her devotees. The diseased, especially those afflicted with smallpox, pray to her for relief. The devotees then offer their own selves as their offertory to Seethala Devi. The person who is cured is carried in a
paadai - a simple stretcher made of bamboo sticks and fresh coconut fronds, as the dead are carried to the graveyard, with his or her relatives following it. This ritual is known as
paadai kaavadi. The paadai is taken around the temple thrice. The Maha Mariamman temple attracts a large number of devotees - estimated to be more than a lakh - on the day of the ritual. This ceremony of thanksgiving is observed every year on a particular day. But it is not necessary for the devotee to wait for the day of the ritual.
 This rite can be performed on Sundays and there are many who perform it on Sundays.
The temple festivities are conducted in the month of Avani and Panguni. The Panguni festival is celebrated for 11 days when literary and devotional discourses, debates, music and dance programmes are conducted everyday.
Other deities like Irulan, Pechi Amman, Madurai Veeran are also installed and worshipped in the Maha Mari Amman temple. Devotees come to Her with deep and unshakeable faith and no wonder they get what they want.
The temple comes under the HR & CE Board.
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