Kottai Mariamman Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Salem Airport at Kamalapuram in Omalur taluk is a domestic airport 19 km from the city.

• By train

  Salem railway junction is an important transit point in south India.

• By road

  National Highways NH7, NH47 and NH68 intersect at Salem.

On the way

• Outstation buses use the MGR Integrated Bus Terminus, also called the New Bus Stand.
• Local town buses leave from the Town Bus Stand, also called the Old Bus Stand.

Why devotees come here

Kottai Mariamman Temple stands at Fort in Salem, Tamil Nadu, and the deity here is known as Malaimari. The district government page says the temple was built during the period of the Chera kings. A well-known Mariyamman festival is celebrated here, and it ends with a fire walk.

Kottai Mariamman Temple is in the Fort area of Salem. The deity worshipped here is known as Malaimari. One of the famous Mariyamman festivals of Tamil Nadu is celebrated at this temple. The celebration is organised widely during July and August.

The district government page says the temple was built during the period of the Chera kings and belongs to Cheranadu. The Alagirinathar temple, popularly called Kottai Perumal Koil, stands near the fort in the city centre. The same place also contains a temple dedicated to Azhagiri Perumal and Mariaman.

The festival is a week long and ends with a fire walk. Salem railway junction is an important transit point in south India, and three national highways meet in the city.

Festivals

• July and AugustMariyamman festival

  A week-long celebration, widely organised across Tamil Nadu, that ends with a fire walk.

Tips for your visit

• Kottai Perumal Koil, the Alagirinathar temple, stands near the fort, so you can visit it on the same trip.
• If you want to see the fire walk, plan your trip for the festival week in July or August.

Questions people ask