Tholpuram Valakkamparai Muthumariamman Temple facts for kids
The Tholpuram Valakkamparai Muthumariamman Temple is a Hindu temple located in Valakkamparai, Tholpuram, Sri Lanka. It is a special place where people come to worship the Hindu goddess Muthumariamman.
The Temple's Story
People believe that the goddess Muthumariamman chose this spot herself because it was a peaceful and suitable place. Many centuries ago, this area was covered with lots of trees like bow trees and margosa trees. You can still see some of these trees there today!
One sunny day, a young shepherd boy was looking after his sheep. An old woman called him and asked for some water. The kind boy gave her water from a nearby well. Then, the woman asked him to check her hair for lice. When the boy gently tapped her head, he was shocked! Her entire head was full of eyes! The boy shouted in surprise, and the woman suddenly disappeared.
That night, the woman appeared in the boy's dream. She asked him to build a small cot, which is like a simple bed, for her. The next day, the boy told his friends and neighbors about his dream. They helped him build the cot and started to worship the goddess Amman there.
Later, in 1658, the Dutch people were in charge of the area, and then the British took over in 1796. A book called "Jaffna History," written by A. Muthuthambipillai in 1912, tells us more. It says that a local judge named Saravanamuthu Muthaliyar had his court in a place called 'Sathiyakadu' in Tholpuram. During that time, a serious illness called 'masoorika disease' (also known as smallpox) spread widely. Saravanamuthu Muthaliyar got permission from the Dutch Governor to build an Amman temple. People started praying there, and soon, the disease began to go away.
Building the Temple
Old records show that the temple was first built around the year 1650. It was constructed with burnt bricks by Alakakone Muthaliyar and Saravanamuthu Muthaliyar. According to the temple's official register from 1883, a person named Ramalingam Kailayapillai, who was a descendant of the original builders, rebuilt the temple. He used strong stones and got help from the local community. This rebuilding happened on a piece of land called 'Valakkamparai' in Tholpuram.
From these records, we know that more than 1500 people took part in the temple's religious activities back then.
Over time, the temple grew bigger. Since it was first built, three special ceremonies called "kumpavisekamms" have taken place. These are important events where the temple is blessed and made new. The fourth and biggest kumpavisekam happened on April 6, 1988. Today, the temple continues to grow and improve every day.
Fun Festivals and Events
The temple celebrates many important religious festivals. The main event is the Chariot festival, which usually takes place in June or July. During this festival, a large chariot carrying the temple's deity is pulled through the streets, and many people come to watch and participate.
A Place for Celebrations
The temple also has a large wedding hall. It is fully air-conditioned and can be used for Hindu weddings and other events. Up to 500 people can attend weddings and other functions there. This hall has been open and used since 2015.
