Pannamparai Madathi Amman Temple, Thoothukudi

Address

Pannamparai Madathi Amman Temple, Thoothukudi

Pannampari,

Thoothukudi District,

Tamil Nadu  628701.

Amman

Madathi

Introduction

• Location: Pannamparai village, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, situated on the route from Thiruchendur to Sathankulam.
• Deity: The temple is dedicated to Madathiamman, a woman deity who is believed to have been wrongfully murdered by her brothers.
• Historical Significance: The temple is believed to be 400 years old. It was established to honor Madathi, a woman whose unjust death led to the construction of the temple by her brothers’ heirs.

Puranic Significance

• Madathi’s Story:
  • Madathi was the youngest daughter of the Murugesa Pandian and Muthupechiyammal couple, and she had seven brothers.
  • After the untimely death of her parents, Madathi was cared for by her brothers.
  • Madathi was married to a man from a nearby village. However, when a rich man, Vadavedu Mirasudar, visited her village often, her husband became jealous.
  • One day, during a festival, Madathi and her son rode a giant wheel with Mirasudar, which led her brothers to wrongly believe that she had dishonored the family. In anger, they killed Madathi by chopping off her head.
  • As her head fell to the ground, it is believed to have cursed her brothers, causing them to lose their children and their village to suffer destruction.
  • The village of Cherankulam, where Madathi was killed, built the temple in her memory.

Temple Features

• Evolution: The temple originally began as a hut but has grown into a stronger and more structured temple over the past 200 years.
• Rituals: On Deepavali, the idol of Madathi is anointed with oil and water, dressed in fresh silk, and offered sweet and savory dishes.
• Animal Sacrifice: The temple does not allow animal sacrifices, as Madathi had specifically prohibited it. Instead, daily worship includes anointing the goddess with a pot of water.

Beliefs

• Divine Blessings: The goddess is believed to have a deep affection for those who seek her blessings, especially childless couples. It is said that she grants children to those who ask for her blessings, filling them with joy.
• Clan Goddess: Over time, Madathi has become the Clan Goddess for many people in the village, with devotees seeking her blessings for prosperity and well-being.

Current Worship

• While regular worship has not yet been fully established, devotees can still visit the temple and pray, as the priest’s house is in the same village. Devotees often seek blessings for children and well-being from the goddess.

Century/Period

400 Years old

Nearest Bus Station

Thoothukudi

Nearest Railway Station

Thoothukudi

Nearest Airport

Thoothukudi

Location on Map

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