Mariamman Temple, Ooty

The Mariamman Temple in Ooty is unusual in honouring two goddesses, Mariamman and Kaliamman, who are worshipped together on one site. Mariamman is a revered local deity in the area.

The temple's origin is told through a legend. Traders from Coimbatore used to meet tribal communities here every Tuesday to do business. One market day, two sisters of noble and divine bearing appeared, and locals told them to shelter under a nearby tree. That night a sudden flash of light lit up the place, and afterwards the sisters were gone. Concluding that they had been goddesses, the people built a temple to both of them.