Amma - Kottai Amma...Who guards.. ஊர் காக்கும் கோட்டை அம்மா

We call the whole of Bharat, a punya Bhumi, every nook and corner is spiritually charged. That inspires seekers, including scientists to turn East and rush to Varanasi, Rishikesh...and all other kshetras across length and breadth of the entire nation, India, the Hindustan.

The ever expanding town, our native Devakottai is no exception. Here as much as I could count, you turn anyside, you have a temple in sizes ranging from a small shrine to mammoth one in the heart of the town, viz., Nagara Sivan Koil.

The uniqueness of Nagarathar Community is people in this one attribute their origins to one of nine temples, viz., Pillayarpatti, Ilayatrangudi, Iraniyur, Iluppakkudi, Mathur, Vairavan Kovil, Nemam, Soorakkudi and Velangudi. Matrimonial alliances happen between groom from one Temple and bride from different temple. 

All through the year one festival or the other keeps happening, as across the nation, here in this town, Devakottai.

The popular ones:

1. Monthly Karthikai Pooja and Annadan in Palani Andavar Kovil a.k.a T RM Swami Veedu;
Two days Maheswara Puja in this shrine every alternate years with Annadan on in a bigger scale,

2. Vijayadashami - Eswars and Perumal Swami's from all temples in the town congregate in the evening on the banks of Sivan Temple Tank. It's quite scenic. The Lords come riding in Horses - vahan of horses - and leave arches from bows - அம்பு எய்தல்.
3. Masi Maham Mageswara Puja and massive Annadan
4. 9 days Kandar Sashti Vizha soon following Deepavali,
5. The longer one is Kottai Amman festival for a full fortnight in Tamil month of Aadi.

Coming back to the Topic, it's about Kottai Amman festival.


This Shrine is kept open only once in the year during this Aadi festival time. Amma is invoked - aavaahan - only during this festival time. Hence the அபிஷேகம் in this Shrine during this festival is only on the altar in front of the Sanctum. The அபிஷேகம் is done once in the morning and once in the evening.

During this festival people hailing from this town have a vow - sankalp to attend and pray without fail at least one time during the 15 days festival. Regardless of wherever they are in any part of the world.

Pradakshnam ranging from 3 rounds of circumambulation to 11, 108...even 1008 are done by the devotees.

Every day Amma is decorated in different Avatars.

People pray here for different boons in life like good alliance, healthy life, education, job etc.

Women devotees cook fresh jaggery pongal and offer as naivedya, prasadam to Amman. They make மாவிளக்கு and offer Aarti to Amman.

Devotees carry their Milk vessels as offering in procession from Nagara Sivan Koil. Similarly they do carry baskets of flowers as offering and carry the same from Sivan Koil in procession.

And many devotees do offering of hair - tonsure as prayer.

Years ago only people from the town only were offering prayers here. Now devotees from other towns, cities also visit and offer their prayers. There is YouTube live stream too.

https://www.youtube.com/live/422xHILU7p0?si=kEljKzbJDgCym5BK

The fifteen days festival is well organised by Nagarathars of the town. 

May Amma grant all boons, peace and good health to All - "Sarve janāḥ sukhino bhavantu" 

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