Arulmigu Koniamman Temple
அருள்மிகு கோனியம்மன் திருக்கோயில்
Samadevi (Goddess Durga/Parvati) · Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Ancient
About the temple
The historical guardian mother deity and namesake of Coimbatore city (Koyan-puthur); consecrated originally by Irula leader Koyan to protect the city from famine and war; home to the famous annual Koniamman Car Festival (Therottam) which brings the entire metropolis to a festive standstill. Traditional belief: Protection of families from epidemics and accidents, resolution of marriage obstacles, cure of eye and skin diseases, and grant of commercial success.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 21:00
- Established
- 13
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Samadevi (Goddess Durga/Parvati)Ganesha FamilyLord Murugan
- Deity form
- Ancient seated stone vigraha of Goddess Koniamman holding Trishula, Damaru, sword, and skull bowl, crushing the demon under her foot with compassionate smile
- Religious tradition
- Agamic Shakta Tradition & City Guardian Deity Worship
- Sanskrit name
- श्री कोणियम्मन् मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Coimbatore Koniamman Temple, Town Hall Amman Temple, Guardian Mother of Coimbatore
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)
- Special days
- Masi Car Festival (Therottam), Navaratri: 04:30 AM - 11:30 PM (Continuous Darshan)
- Festival timings
- Open continuously till 11:30 PM during Masi festival days
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 06:00 PM
- Night aarti
- 08:30 PM
- Special aarti days
- Every Friday, Tuesday, Masi Therottam, Aadi Fridays, New Moon days
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Chatukkala Puja, Sahasra Kumkumarchana, Suhasini Puja, Chandi Homam, Oonjal Seva, Silver Chariot procession
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Special Abhishekam to Ambal on Fridays and Tuesdays)
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Consecrated by Irula chieftain Koyan; built into a stone temple by Hoysala King Vira Ballala III and Mysore Wodeyars
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Tamil stone sthapathis
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed granite stone base, brick-lime soaring Rajagopuram, gold-plated kalashas
- Historical events
- The historic city of Coimbatore derives its name directly from the chieftain Koyan and Goddess Koniamman (Koyan-muthur / Coimbatore)
- Renovations
- A grand new 86-foot tall 7-tier Rajagopuram was constructed and consecrated in a magnificent Mahakumbhabhishekam in 2011
- Archaeological importance
- The foundational epigraphical and cultural shrine of Coimbatore city
- Legends
- Chieftain Koyan was guided in a dream to construct a fort and temple for Goddess Durga (Koni) to safeguard the tribal settlements against wild beasts and famine
- Inscriptions
- Stone records preserved in the temple detailing endowments made by Mysore Wodeyars and merchant guilds of Big Bazaar Street
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 13th Century foundations with 2011 CE monumental Rajagopuram construction
- Structure
- Dense urban walled temple complex with seven-tiered entrance Rajagopuram, pillared navaranga, inner sanctum, and chariot shelter
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Soaring seven-tiered 86-foot entrance Rajagopuram adorned with hundreds of colorful stucco sculptures depicting Shakta puranic legends
- Mandapa
- Pillared Navaranga hall supported by polished granite columns depicting Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati
- Sculptural features
- Ancient stone murti of Goddess Koniamman; silver and gold Kavachams; sculpted lion mount; shrines of Vinayaka and Murugan
- Artistic elements
- Intricate ceiling floral patterns, embossed silver altar frames, and gold-plated kalashas
- Construction technique
- Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry adapted for a bustling city center location
- Unique features
- The famous Masi Therottam (Car Festival) featuring a massive 84-foot decorated wooden chariot pulled through the heart of Coimbatore by 100,000+ devotees
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Masi month (February/March Car Festival), Ashwayuja Navaratri
- Special celebration days
- Every Friday, Tuesday, New Moon day (Amavasya)
- Cultural events
- Folk dance, Nadaswaram, Carnatic concerts, and massive civic celebrations during the annual Therottam
- Annual events
- The monumental Koniamman Therottam through Raja Street, Big Bazaar Street, and Oppanakara Street
- Peak crowd season
- February to March (Masi festival) and July to August (Aadi month)
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 100+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.