Ambalakaranpatti Sri Valladikarar Temple- Madurai

Address

Ambalakaranpatti, Madurai district,

Tamil Nadu 625106

Moolavar

Sri Valladikarar swamy.

Amman

Poorani and Porkalai

Introduction

The Ambalakaranpatti Valladikarar Temple, located in Ambalakaranpatti in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, India, is dedicated to Sri Valladikarar Swamy. The main deity of the temple is Sri Valladikarar Swamy.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old and has a unique history associated with a miraculous event.

Miraculous Event: The temple is known for a miraculous story involving a horse statue. A white man passed through the area and made fun of the horse statue, challenging it to eat grass and make noise. Veeranan Ambalam, the head of the place, prayed to Valladikarar and placed a bundle of grass before the stone statue. Although the grass appeared unchanged to others, the arrogant white man saw it as if the horse was eating the grass and heard it making noise. His horse became uncontrollable, and both he and his horse fell into a canal, leading to the white man’s demise. The canal was earlier constructed by white men and is referred to as the “Vellai Kanmai” or white canal.
Role in Local History: The region where the temple is situated, called Vellalore and part of the Madurai circle, faced issues with robberies in the past. People believed that an invisible man riding a flying horse was responsible for these robberies. They prayed to their deity, Ezhai Katha Amman (Goddess protecting the poor), to put an end to these troubles. The Goddess intervened, and the Mayavi (invisible man) agreed to stop causing miseries to the people. He also agreed to be worshipped and have a temple built in his honor.

Beliefs

Devotees visit the temple to petition Valladikarar in writing to seek help with issues like obstacles in marriage proposals and blessings for children. Cradles are hung from the Koohamuthi tree, where Valladikarar is said to have appeared. When a child is born, it is placed in a sugarcane cradle, and devotees perform circumambulations around the shrine of Valladikarar.

Special Features

Peria Karuppusami: The temple also has a shrine for Peria Karuppusami, located at the front side of the temple.
Koohamuthi Tree: Behind the temple, there is a unique tree called Koohamuthi, which resembles a mango tree. Valladikarar was found under this tree, and a stone has been placed there for worship, commemorating the spot where Valladikarar appeared.