“un karagam perrantha thammaa kanna noor maedai ye lae”

A few but very powerful words originating from the Mariamman Thallutu (a lullaby for the devine mother) meaning ‘O Great devine mother you gave birth to the Karagam, your eyes see the entire universe’

The word Karagam describes a pot or small metal vessel that is filled with sacred water for purification purposes, representing Madurai Meenachi and Karunai Kamachi; two forms of the devine Goddess. The Karagam pooja is associated with the ancient and powerful Goddess Mariamman, a form of shakti of the mother Goddess.

On the auspicious days of July 7th, 8th and 9th 2006 the fifth annual Maha Kali Pooja took place at 595 Albion Road, Etobicoke ON, along the banks of the Humber River. The great traditions that our forfathers started in India, are the foundation for the religious and spiritual rituals that took place during this time.

The pooja began on Friday morning at 4 am with special drumming by the Tappu drum followed by flag raising ceremony of Mariamman. As the sun set pooja was performed at the banks of the Humber River, where the karagam pots were filled with water and special mantras were recited by the priest to invoke the shakti of the Goddess Marriamman and carried to the temple by two pure boys under the age of puberty. As the shakti was carried to the temple, the Goddess was invoked in all her forms, Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ganga, Kateri and many more. She was carefully placed on her alter within the temple.

On Saturday, Hanuman pooja was performed by the preist and followed by vegetarian food for all who attend. Later in the evening, preparations were made for Ganga Ammaa and Kateri Ammaa pooja at the river banks.  Two pure devotees were chosen to lead the pooja and all devotees present are welcome to come along.

As Sunday morning begins, prasad in large quantities was prepared by the temple devotees. Pooja began at Dharti Ammaa, Suraj Narayan, Ganeshji, Ram, Krishna Hanuman and continued to Shiv ji, Naag Dev, Ganga Ma and Kateri ma. Next pooja was offered to Sangali Karupan, Munswaran, Nagorayan, continuing to Lakshmi Ammaa, Saraswati Ammaa, Durga Ammaa and Maha Kali Ammaa. Finally pooja was offered to Madurai Veeran. Another form of Lord Shiva and protector of the devine mother.

At this time, the priest invoked the shakti of Mariammaa, Kateri Ammaa and Madurai Veeran on three chosen devotees who fasted for the last 21 days for this special pooja. The purpose of this invocation is to serve humanity and help all those with sickness, distress, problems and pain in their lives. Special drumming is used  for the invocation process. Any devotees who have sickness or pain within their bodies, infertile women, spiritual problems are at this time taken infront of the Mariammaa or Madurai Veeran and the devine devi or devta will heal them or answer their questions through possession of a medium(Faith healing).