Morning we go to Ezhai Mariamman down MG Road into Muthialpet, which was mentioned at Mutthumariamman last night, and find it being reconstructed, with the idol tentatively placed in a nearby thatch shack. One of the members of the Nirvagam is there. The Iyer has done abhishekam in the morning and left. He tells us that this is the oldest shrine in Pondicherry (of course!!) and that it is/was a swayambhu murti. He mentioned Sthala Purana or some sort of historical record book that was found behind the goddess, though nothing of where it is now. He also referred to the trio of Ellaiamman, Mutthumariamman, and Ezhaimariamman. Only one veethi ula, during Aadi Masam apart from Masi maham theerthavari.
Mentioned how some of the temple land was illegally sold off by one of the administratives, who eventually committed suicide. It will take another two years for the construction, and the Kumbhabhishekam. We don’t know this temple at all, but feel already the hardships in its way to reconstruction. Perhaps this is why any reconstruction and renovation are treated as processes needing blessings and prayers. So much can go wrong.
Nirvagam member tells us about the iconographic differences of this idol – she has a third eye and fangs, the features of Siva as well as Amman. Three murtis beautifully arranged in the tentative garbhagriha. Stone figure, Bronze figure, and Atti-wood figure [Ficus racemosa, cluster figs of the sort we saw at the Kamakshi Amman Koyil]. Pradosha murti on the side – Siva and Parvati on bull.
The temple is open to all communities. And seems to make sense: Ezhai means poor, destitute. So she is mother of utmost grace and generosity.
Iyers propitiate on all days except Friday when there’s a pusari there all day. I offer something via a QR code on site, and we leave. The nearby shopkeepers tell us that they have been trying to build this temple for some years now.