About two thousand years ago, the place was infested with thorny bushes. A shepherd while passing through this place, heard the voice of a girl child saying that she was here. He and the people of the place went to the place from where the voice came and found an ant-hill. People understood that a Shakti in the ant-hill had informed the people of Her presence there. They erected a temple in the open space and began worshipping the Goddess. They were celebrating Thai Poosam festival (January-February) each year.
During the festival, they use to take the Goddess to Kollidam River before beginning the celebrations. Once, when they were doing so, on way back to the temple from the river, they placed the palanquin for a rest under a neem tree but could not lift it again when they tried. A little girl, possessed of the Goddess told the crowd that she desired to be in that place only. The devotees had to leave the Goddess there.
Later, during the rule of the Vijayanagara king, a temple was built in S. Kannanore with a handful of sand brought from the Cauvery. This came to be known as Kannapuram Mariamman temple. Though Shakthi had Her temple in Kannanore, she was known as Samayapuram Mariamman with an importance to Her place of origin.
Devotees visiting Samayapuram to worship Samayapuram Mariamman also visit the Adhi Mariamman temple.
Adhi Mariamman graces with four hands. The sanctum sanctorum faces south towards S. Kannanore.
Adhi Mariamman also appears as Naga Kanni gracing her devotees. |