Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple- Coimbatore

Address

Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple- Anaimalai, Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District – 642 104. Phone: +91 4253 282 337 / 283 173

Diety

Amman: Anaimalai Masani

Introduction

Masani Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in Anaimalai Town in Pollachi Taluk in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This Temple is a highly revered shrine among the Tamils. It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, nestled amid grasslands against the backdrop of mighty Anaimalai Hills.

Puranic Significance

This Temple is facing towards north with five tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is enclosed within compound walls and has entrances on all four directions. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Masani Amman. Normally, goddesses in the sanctum can be seen either in standing posture or in sitting posture but here she can be seen in lying posture facing the sky which is a unique feature. The deity measures 17 feet from head to foot. She is depicted with four hands; two hands are placed on the ground and the other two hands are raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident. A demon named Makudasuran can be seen at her feet. Nadukal can be seen in front of her. There is a Neethi Kal (Stone of Justice) in the temple premises. The prayer of applying the chili paste on this stone is quite famous. Shrines of Ganesha, Pechiyamman, Kumba Muneeswarar, Durga, Mahishasura Mardini, Sapta Matrikas, Karupparayar, Bhuvaneshwari and Bhairavar can be seen in the temple premises. During Sangam era, Anaimalai was called as Nannur and was ruled by King Nannan. He owned a mango grove near Aliyar River. The king was fond of his mango grove and was heavily guarded by his soldiers. He had proclaimed severe punishments on those who plucked fruits from the mango grove that belonged to him. One day, a group of girls were bathing in the Aliyar River. A little girl saw a mango in the river that had fallen from the grove. She consumed the fruit not knowing of the strict measures. The guards informed the incident to the King. Nannan sentenced her to death despite the plea of his subjects. The little girl pleaded for mercy and his father offered 81 elephants and gold equal to her weight to the King Nannan for sparing her life. The king refused and executed without any remorse. The villagers and relatives of the girl got furious over the incident, attacked the king and killed him in a battle near Vijayamangalam. The girl was buried in the graveyard near Aliyar River and later, a shrine was built in her honour. The villagers made a reclining image of the girl and started worshipping her. As she is in a crematorium (Mayanam) in a reclining form (Sayana), she came to be called as Mayana Sayani Amman. Later, it got corrupted to Masani Amman. As per legend, Sage Viswamitra decided to perform penance in the mountains of Kadaganachi. He heard that the place was inhabited by a demon named Tataka. He harassed the people and sages whoever ventured into his area. The sage felt that the demon might cause trouble to his penance. Hence, Sage Viswamitra requested King Dasaratha to send Lord Rama and Lakshmana along with him to the mountains of Kadaganachi. It is believed that the brothers made an idol of Masani Amman and worshipped her to bless them with the strength to kill the demon. She appeared before them and blessed them with the boon to kill the demon. Further, she asked them to destroy her idol once the demon was killed. But, Lord Rama refused to destroy the idol. He wanted the idol to remain in the place for the safety of the people residing in the region.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Masani Amman for relief from family problems, losses due to breach of trust and theft, mental worries, safety of children and spells and witchcraft effects. It is a popular belief here that Masani Amman will cure any illness if you go around her trident. The prasadam offered in the temple is called Pachilam Marundu. Women consume the prasadam and tie a black thread in the hand to realize their prayers. There is unique worship practice offered to the Justice Stone in this temple. Merchants incurring losses in their business, people facing harassment from their enemies, people lost their belongings grind red chillis in stone grinder of the temple and smear the paste on stone of Justice called Neethi Kal for divine justice from Masani Amman. Devotees also place their grievances in writing and tie it in the hands of Devi. It is strongly believed that solution would knock the doors of the applicant within 90 days.

Special Features

Lord Rama was blessed by Masani Amman for his victory over Ravana: As per legend, Lord Rama on his way to Lanka to rescue Mother Sita, stayed in a graveyard in Anaimalai. He came to know the divine presence of Parasakthi in the form of Masani Amman in this place. He made an idol of the mother in reclining posture with the sand from the graveyard and Performed enhance to seek her blessings for his victory over Ravana. Pleased with his penance, Masani Amman appeared before Lord Rama and blessed him for his victory over King Ravana. Anaimalai: As the surrounding forest hosts huge numbers of elephants, the place came to be called as Anaimalai (Anaimalai means Elephant hill). Umbarkadu: Anaimalai was called as Umbarkadu in Padhitrupathu, one of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai) in the Sangam literature.

Festivals

The annual Kundam festival (Brahmotsavam) is the famous festival celebrated here during the Tamil month of Thai with much fanfare. The flag hoisting ceremony is celebrated on the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai (Jan- Feb) marks the beginning of Kundam festival. Mayana Pooja is performed to Masani Amman on the 14th day. The chariot festival is celebrated on 16th day. The Kundam (fire pit) is prepared at 10.00 PM on the same day. After offering prayers to Masani Amman, the devotees walk on the fire in the fire pit. The flag is lowered on 18th day and the Mahamuni Pooja is performed. The next day (19th day) marks the ending of the festivity. Vaikasi Visakam, Adi Perukku, Adi Pooram,Tamil New Year Day, Amavasai, Vinayakar Chathurthi, Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam, Margazhi Dhanur Pooja and Navaratri are the other festivals celebrated here. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered auspicious to Goddess Masani Amman. Special Poojas are offered to Masani Amman on the Karthigai star days and New Moon days.