Velangudi Vayanachi & Periyanayaki Temple, Sivaganga

Address

Velangudi-Karaikudi, Sivaganga District,

Tamil Nadu – 630106,

Phone: +91 4565-283 422

Amman

Vayanachi & Periyanayaki

Introduction

The Vayanachi & Periyanayaki Temple, located in Velangudi Village near Karaikudi in Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu, is a temple dedicated to the deities Vayanachi and Periyanayaki.

Puranic Significance

Centuries ago, the people of Paliah Naadu used to hunt in memory of the noted chieftain Vallal Pari. During one of their hunts, they chased a rabbit that took refuge in a tree hole.
When they hit the hole to catch the rabbit, they heard the sound of metal. To their surprise, they found an idol of Goddess Ambica with a trident.
The man who first took the idol kept the trident and gave the idol to the villagers. They initially built a temple in their native Pallathur and installed the deity facing east.
However, the next morning, they found that the deity had miraculously turned to face Velangudi in the south. The villagers discovered that the man who had taken the idol retained the trident.
Convinced of the deity’s will, the villagers took the idol to Velangudi, constructed a temple, and installed Mother Vayanachi Amman in the temple.

Beliefs

People pray to Ambicas for good farm yields and a life free of diseases. Devotees perform abishek to Mothers, offer pudding-Pongal nivedhana and carry fire pots.

Special Features

The name Karaikudi is derived from the Tamil word “Paalai,” which refers to the dry, bushy region. The area was once known as Paaliah Nadu and was abundant with Kara plants and bushes.
The people who worked to convert these lands for farming were called Vallambars and Nattars. These individuals were skilled in archery and military affairs.
The deity Perianayaki was their Kula Devatha (family deity).
Vayanachi Amman, whose name means “Mother of Strength,” resides in the main temple and is believed to grant success to her devotees.
The temple also houses a deity known as Pidari, who is believed to drive away evil effects, or Peetas. Pidari played a significant role in the Panchayat courts, as witnesses would swear on Pidari, creating a strong deterrent against speaking falsehood.
There is a tank near the temple known as Chidambara Poigai, believed to be the abode of Siddhas (ascetics). Due to this belief, people do not bathe in the tank, but they worship it on Fridays.