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Arulmigu Bannari Amman Temple, Bannari, Sathyamangalam Taluk, Erode District, Tamil Nadu

Sri Bannari Amman Temple or Sri Bannari Mariamman Temple as She is affectionately called is a Goddess of Rain and this Temple is located on the foot hill of Bannari which again falls in Sathyamangalam Taluk of Erode District. This Temple could be seen on the Main Road leading from Coimbatore to Mysore. The Temple has a gorgeously coloured Welcome Arch on the main road leading to the Temple. Several years ago a few cowherds saw one of their cows oozing its Milk from its teat in the udder portion at a particular place and at a particular time of the day. Growing suspicious the boys followed the herd and dug the moist earth from within and were astounded to find Sri Bannariamman as a Swayambhu. Despite a few negatives from the then Britishers this Temple was built at the same place.

The location of the Temple is on the North Western side of the Kongu Nadu. This Temple does not have a consipicuous Rajagopuram. The Main Temple is actually South facing. Devotees can enter the Temple via the vehicular parking area. There is a South facing coloured Gopuram with a multi pillared Mandpam and Devotees can enter through this way. The ceiling of this multi pillared Mandapam is beautifully designed in contrast colours. The highlight of the Temple is that all the four Gopurams facing all directions have various coloured Idols of Sri Bannari Amman. Some of the walls here depict the Life and History of Sri Bannari Amman. This coloured Gopuram has various Amman Idols on it and looks eye appealing when seen. Opposite to this Gopuram there is an area earmarked in which Salt is offered by all Devotees. The Salt thus offered by several Devotees looks like a small hillock and people Pray here and offer Camphor light. Close to it is a place earmarked for breaking coconuts meant for this Temple.

The Temple authorities have erected steel railings through which the Devotees are guided towards the South facing Moolasthanam. At the threshold of the Moolasthanam are two black Dwara Baalaki Idols who seem to stand guard before the Moolasthanam of Sri Bannari Amman. There is no Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram in this Temple. Instead there is a Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a black North facing Simha Vaahanam looking towards the Moolasthanam. The threshold leading to the Moolasthanam glitters with gold plating and on top of it is the etched Idol of Sri Gajalakshmi. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Goddess Sri Bannari Amman is seen South facing and in a seated posture Blessing Her Devotees. She seems to be Omnipotent and dazzling to the eyes of Her Devotees. To the right is a Sub Shrine with a small Gopuram in which the Urchavamoorthy Idol of Sri Bannari Amman and Sri Sarugu Mariamman are seen South facing. Within the same Moolasthana Mandapam there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Ganapathy. A Shobana Mandapam having 24 pillars was the first to be built in the year 1967. It was closely followed by the Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. There is a large water pit or a Temple Pond close to the Temple which generally never gets parched. The Main Temple stands South facing amongst the back drop of rich vegetation and lush green forestry and this adds Charm and Beauty to the Omnipotent Goddess Bannari Amman.

This Temple has an exclusive Golden Chariot which is safely kept in a shuttered enclosure. This Golden Chariot is run daily in the evening around 6PM. This Temple has Thulabaara facilities and Earboring and Tonsuring facilities too. They have erected an angular ramp in several places and hence the sick and disabled can be taken wheel chairs. There is a Madapalli or Temple Kitchen and similarly there is a huge Annadhana Koodam for the sake of the Devotees. They have built Lactation Rooms at select places so that the Mothers could feed their new born kids. The Temple also has a Ghoshala and a Nandhavanam. There are several shops all around the Temple selling Fruits, Flowers, Garlands and other Divine Souvenirs.

The sounds created by the Peacocks and other jungle birds are simply music to the ears of the Devotees who come here for the first time. The Thiruvilakku Poojai done here by several women joining together and lighting oil lamps is eye captivating. The Temple has a Golden Chariot or a Temple Car which is used on special occasions. The Bannari Amman Thiruvizha and the Kundam Festival celebrated during the Tamil Month of Panguni is a great occasion for the congregation of Devotees. The Temple charges various fees for different types of Darshans. Likewise the Temple Management levies a vehicular parking fee depending on the type of the vehicle. Sri Bannari Amman Temple is one rare Temple which not only attracts local Devotees from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka but it draws lots of Devotees from other far flung States also. There is ample Vehicular Parking areas during ordinary areas. On special occsions and festive days vehicles are stopped well outside of Bannari to ease traffic congestion.

Contact Details: Rajasekar Poojari 88700 86187, Rajendran Poojari 95245 50505, Arumugam Poojari 94436 53570, Senthilkumar Poojari 94436 76712, Parthiban Poojari 89733 95910, Balaji Flower Shop 63791 77684 and 04295 243366

Temple Timing: 5.30 AM to 9 PM There is no closure

Distance from Erode to Bannari is 75 Kms

Distance from Coimbatore to Bannari is 75 Kms

Distance from Tiruppur to Bannari is 64 Kms

Distance from Avinashi to Bannari is 50 Kms

Distance from Bhavani to Bannari is 67 Kms

Distance from Palladam to Bannari is 73 Kms

Distance from Karur to Bannari is 150 Kms

Distance from Namakkal to Bannari is 139 Kms

Distance from Rasipuram to Bannari is 135 Kms

Distance from Salem to Bannari is 134 Kms

Distance from Thiruchengode to Bannari is 102 Kms