The Mutthumariamman Thirukoyil is one of the oldest Amman shrines in Pondicherry, tended to by two hereditary lineages of pusaris for 9 generations. Pujas are offered twice daily by a hereditary Vanniar priest, with abhishekam only in the morning at temple opening. The deity here is not a Thalai Mariamman or the Mariamman shown just with a head, but a full seated figure. At several times of the year, she receives an abhishekam followed by an elaborate alankaram that can take all night to prepare for the next morning’s puja. The priests pride themselves on developing and growing the alankara traditions of this temple. The temple’s Aandu Vizha or celebration of the anniversary of its last Kumbhabhishekam (2024) occurs at the end of August, in the middle of Aavani Masam. Its annual festival is celebrated in Thai (January-February), inaugurated on the fifth day following Amavasya, each day’s festival is conducted by one of the communities of the town: Dhobi, Senaithalaivar, Naidu, Vysya, Vellala, Vannia, Senguntha Mudaliar, Vanniar, Arya Vysya and Brahmins conduct the festival respectively, with the Dhobis doing the dhvajarohanam and the Brahmins finishing with the unjal utsavam, according to longstanding arrangements. Mutthumariamman is the kuladaivam for local families, many of whom have moved to France but continue to return for key events and/or sponsor them from afar. As such, the temple becomes the site for several private functions, such as the Periyandavar Puja, and the place where all local communities come for Deepavali and Amavasya nonbu (fasting or other related observances).