Sunday Feb 09, 2025

Kumarai Pachaiyamman Temple, Cuddalore

Address

Kumarai Pachaiyamman Temple, Cuddalore

North Street, Kumarai Village,

Thittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District

Tamil Nadu 606111

Moolavar

Poomalaiyappar

Amman

Pachaiyamman

Introduction

  • Pachaiyamman Temple is dedicated to the village deities Pachaiyamman and Poomalai Appar and is located in Kumarai Village in Thittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.
  • The temple is believed to have been built in the 19th Century CE.
  • It is situated approximately 8 km from Thittakudi and 9 km from Thittakudi Bus Stand, along the Thittakudi to Kaliyamedu Route via Nedunkulam.

Puranic Significance:

  • The temple is associated with a myth involving a villager from the foot hills of the Podhigai Mountains who had seven daughters. He struggled to find suitable husbands for them. In response to their father’s struggles, the daughters built seven Shiva Lingas made of sand by a river and worshipped Lord Shiva to seek his blessing.
  • Pleased by their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared as a young farmer and attempted to embrace the girls, causing them to flee into a nearby forest, losing contact with each other. It took about a year for the daughters to reunite, and one of them, Kathayi, was found to be pregnant.
  • When the other sisters questioned her about the child, Kathayi claimed that the young farmer had forced her. The sisters didn’t believe her and asked her to prove her story by walking into fire with the child. Kathayi did so, emerging unscathed from the flames.
  • Lord Shiva then revealed himself and explained that the entire event had been his divine play. He declared that the seven daughters would become the village deities for seven villages, providing protection for the people from him. Seven Munis (sages) would assist them in their duties.
  • As a result, temples were established in seven villages, each dedicated to one of the sisters. The seven temples are:
    • Sannasi Nallur Parvathy (the eldest sister)
    • Puliyur Pattathal
    • Kaalingaraya Nallur Arunthavam
    • Vasithur Pooval
    • Kumarai Pachaiyamman
    • Venganur Maraliamman (Kathayi)
    • Arakandanallur Poongavanam
  • These villages are located in the Perambalur, Cuddalore, and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu.

Special Features:

  • The temple faces east and has a three-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower).
  • The presiding deities of the temple are Poomalai Appar and Pachaiyamman.
  • There are shrines for Vinayaga (Lord Ganesha), Murugan (Lord Kartikeya), and the Navagrahas (Nine Planets) in the temple complex.
  • Stucco idols of horses, dogs, and elephants are found facing the sanctum (inner shrine).
  • Large stucco idols of the Seven Munis are also present within the temple premises.

Festivals:

  • The Panguni Uthiram festival and the Avani Month Fire Walking Festival are the two most famous festivals celebrated at the temple. These festivals attract many devotees and are significant to the local community.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/07/pachaiyamman-temple-kumarai-cuddalore.html

Century/Period

19th Century CE.

Nearest Bus Station

Thittakudi

Nearest Railway Station

Pennadam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

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