Annai Aadhiparasakthi

The Divine Mother is the fulcrum of the temple, the axis around which it revolves and has evolved continuously over the last four decades. Unsurprisingly, Her vigraha was the first to be built and consecrated in 1984. Thus, everything else at the temple came after the Divine Mother.

A unique aspect of Annai’s Sannidhi is that it features two murthis or vigrahaas of the Divine Mother, each representing a distinct aspect of the Eternal Sakthi. Thus, in the sanctum sanctorum, Divine Mother Annai Parasakthi the cosmic vibration (Omkaara Sakthi) and Annai Aadhisakthi the yogic power (Yoga Sakthi) reside together as Divine Mother Annai Aadhi Parasakthi.

Annai as the cosmic vibration is represented by the larger vigraham, with eight hands, while Annai as the yogic power is represented by the smaller murthi. Abhishegam, Sandana Kaappu, Kumkuma Kaappu and Velli Kavasam are performed only to the smaller vigraham.

Annai Mahamandapam

The hall (mandapam) in front of the sanctum sanctorum has seven protective forces called Saptha Kannigal namely, Brahmahi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Naaraayanee, Vaaraahi, Mahendri and Chaamundi. The hall also features the sculptures of the Navagrahaas (Deities of the 9 planets) with their divine consorts, seated on their respective Vaahanaas (vehicles) as stipulated by the Divine Mother.

The four outer corners of the Sanctum also feature small Sannidhis dedicated to four Siddhas, each facing a specific direction. Siddhar Thayumanavar’s sannidhi is to the South East; Siddhar Vallalar’s is to the SouthWest; Siddhar Pattinathar’s sannidhi is to the North West and Pambatti Siddhar’s sannidhi is to the North East.

How to Worship

As per Annai’s Arul Vaakku, devotees who seek the Divine Mother’s grace to resolve their problems and shortcomings should light one ghee lamp for the Divine Mother and nine ghee lamps for the Navagrahaas from the permanent spiritual lamp (Akhanda Jyothi) situated in the temple. After lighting the lamp, devotees should circumambulate the Divine Mother nine times, taking care to look at one Navagraaha each during each circumambulation and praying to it to resolve their problems. Then they should sit in front of the Divine Mother’s Sannidhi, chant the 108 mantras (108 Archanai Malar) given by the Divine Mother thrice and earnestly pray to the Divine Mother to rectify their problems.

According to Annai, the Navagrahaas bound by the Divine Mother rectify their ill-effects and also give their blessings to the devotees who regularly worship Annai in this manner.