ABOUT

The Kottai Mariamman Temple is one of the oldest pilgrimage centres of Salem City and is situated in the heart of the city and on the banks of River Tirumanimuthar. The presiding deity of his temple is Goddess Kottai Mariamman. The most popular feature of this temple is its Shevapet Mariamman Temple Car Festival, which is held at this temple every year, between the months of July and August and lasts for a week. This temple was built during the periods of Chera Kings, as the present Salem District then belongs to Chera Nadu. In Olden days there was a fort in this place. In the said Fort the then rulers built two temples, one Perumal Temple and another Mariamman Temple. This Fort was then guarded by the soldiers of Chera Kings. The Goddess is known as Malaimari. Mari means rain. So as and when rain fails, Devotees pray to this Goddess for rain. Abishekam and festivals are conducted in honour of Malaimari to get proper rainfall and help them from drought and to produce agricultural produces.