Punnainallur Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukoil, one of the 88 temples belonging to the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam, is located 5 km away on the Thanjavur – Nagapattinam road. It is situated quite a distance from the central area.

The Chola emperors who ruled Tanjore installed Ashta Shaktis as guardian deities in the eight directions around Tanjore. Arulmiku Punnainallur Mariamman is the deity that was established on the eastern side of Tanjore.

Vengoji Maharaja, the ruler of Tanjore, stayed at Samayapuram, also known as Kannapuram, in 1680 when he went on a pilgrimage. That night, Ambikai appeared in the king’s dream. During that encounter, Ambikai instructed him to come and worship the deity resembling termite mounds at Punnaikkad, located 5 kilometers east of Tanjore.

Following the instructions, Vengoji Maharaja visited Tanjore and proceeded to Punnaikat. Upon reaching the forest, the Maharaja discovered the site of Ambikai and constructed a small shelter, which he named Punnainallur. Additionally, he bestowed the village to the temple as an offering.

Later, during the reign of Pratap Maharaja (1739 – 1763), the village of Arulmozhipettai was granted to this temple. He also provided funds for the construction of the Arulmigu Kothandaramar temple in the northern direction of Ambal’s temple. People who visit this temple come to worship Lord Ambal and Eswaran, as well as to pay homage to Perumal.

The deity who bestowed eyes

Subsequently, during the reign of Tulaja Raja, who ruled Tanjore from 1763 to 1787, the daughter of the king was afflicted with blindness due to measles. In a dream, Ambikai appeared to the king as a young girl and urged him to visit her shrine along with his daughter for worship. After conveying her message, Ambikai disappeared from the dream.

Arasa Kumari regained her eyesight after the king accompanied her to the temple and both worshipped Ambigai. Filled with happiness, the king erected a small temple in honor of Ambigai. Furthermore, he constructed a circular temple around this initial shrine. Subsequently, the king collaborated with Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami to craft the image of Mariyamma for Ambigai. This collaboration also involved the consecration of the Chakra. The king also oversaw the construction of a Shiva temple named Kailasanathar.

Following that, under the rule of Saraboji Maharaja (1798 – 1832), significant additions were made to the temple. These included the construction of the Maha Mandapam, Nardhana Mandapam, Front Gopuram, and Periya Thiruchuttu. Additionally, the Maharaja organized pilgrimages to the temple to pay homage to Ambigai.

Shivaji Maharaja was responsible for constructing the third temple and engaging in numerous other projects. In 1892, these additions were made to the temple: the Outer Hall, Bhojana Road, and North Tower. These constructions were carried out under the supervision of King Shivaji’s wife, Kamatsyamba Bhai Saheb.

Shivaji Raja II passed away in AD 1855. The Rajagopuram, built in the same year, is an exquisite seven-tiered structure located at Kalkaram.

There is no ablution

The special feature of this temple is that the shrine of Mariamman is made of clay. Therefore, Abhishekam is not performed for Ambal in the sanctum sanctorum.

To the right side of Ambal, there is a Vishnu Durga facing North, specifically intended for Abhishekam rituals. Abhishekams are conducted on this Vishnu Durga as well as on Ambal Utsava Murthy. Additionally, in accordance with Agama principles, four distinct periods of puja are observed each day.

Thailakappu

Ambal, who is revered as the embodiment of compassion, undergoes a Mandal (48 Days) Thailakappu Abhishekam ritual once every five years. During this occasion, a Mandal (48 Days) Ambal is intricately drawn on a White Screen and invoked, followed by worship and rituals dedicated to this representation.

During this period, Ambal in Karuvarai is anointed twice daily for 48 days using a mixture of Chambrani Balm, Punugu, Arakaja, and Javvadu. The Ambal tends to become heated during the Thailabishek and Tailakappa rituals. To alleviate this, a Naivediyam offering is prepared by placing curds and tender coconut water before Ambal. This practice is adopted to ensure the comfort of the deity during these rituals.

To mitigate the heat experienced by Ambal, both the inner and outer tanks are filled with water. Every year during the summer days, Ambal’s visage and neck are adorned with sweat-like pearls, which manifest naturally. This phenomenon continues to this day. In light of this, devotees fondly refer to Ambigai as “Muthu Mariamman” due to the presence of these pearl-like droplets.

Ammai Mandapam

When both children and adults gets measles, if they offer prayers to Ambal and fill inner pots with water from the temple, they tend to experience a swift recovery without significant complications. Additionally, it’s a customary practice for individuals afflicted with measles to visit this temple and stay for a few days to aid in their recuperation. To facilitate this, a dedicated Measles Mandapam has been constructed to provide a space for patients recovering from measles.

Festivals

Ambal’s annual festivals are celebrated during the months of Aadi, Avani, and Puratasi. In the month of Aadi, there are special events like the pearl pallakku (palanquin) procession, poochorithal (flower decoration), and tiruvilakku (lamp) pujas. The annual festival takes place in the month of Avani, featuring a chariot procession on the last Sunday of the month. The Theppa Utsavam occurs during the month of Puratasi, accompanied by the Navratri festival. In Margazhi, there is the Laksa tiruvilakku festival, and the Balkuta festival is observed from the Masi to Chitrai months.

Jaggery pond

Inside the temple, there is a pond name Jaggery Pond. People who have pimples on their body offer prayers to Ambal and purchase jaggery, which they then place into the pond. It is a common belief that this ritual will lead to the dissolving of pimples and tumors, similar to how jaggery dissolves in water. This practice continues to be observed as a tradition.

Sunday’s Crowd

The temple consistently draws large crowds of devotees, with Sundays being particularly busy when numerous worshippers from various towns visit. It has been a longstanding tradition for thousands of devotees to offer milk and water to Ambal, particularly during the summer season, and partake in Abhishekam rituals.

Every Sunday, this temple witnesses the influx of thousands of devotees from various locations who come to pay homage to Ambal and find themselves immersed in a state of spiritual rapture. Throughout the summer season, a multitude of devotees fervently pray to Ambal, and their fervor is heightened through the ritual anointment of milk pots and the carrying of kavadi offerings.

In addition, devotees make various offerings according to their prayers, including hair, live chickens, as well as body parts made of gold and silver. Goats and cows are also presented as offerings, resulting in a sense of tranquility and peace of mind for those who offer them.

The Thirukkudumdukku festival has taken place in this Punnainallur Mariamman temple in the years 1950, 1987, and 2004. This temple, renowned as the bestower of sight, the healer of measles, the curer of sores, and the bestower of blessings upon its devotees, has hosted this significant festival during those mentioned years.