Kumarai Pachaiyamman Temple, Cuddalore

Address

North Street, Kumarai Village,

Thittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District

Tamil Nadu 606111

Moolavar

Poomalaiyappar

Amman

Pachaiyamman

Introduction

Pachaiyamman Temple is dedicated to village deities Pachaiyamman and Poomalai Appar located in Kumarai Village in Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to be built in 19th Century CE. The Temple is located at about 8 Kms from Thittakudi, 9 Kms from Thittakudi Bus Stand. The Temple is situated on Thittakudi to Kaliyamedu Route via Nedunkulam.

Puranic Significance

Once, a Villager lived in the foot hills of Podhigai Mountains, had seven daughters. He struggled to get them married to suitable bridegrooms. On seeing their father struggle, the daughters installed Seven Shiva Lingas made of sand on the river bank and worshipped Lord Shiva to clear their worries. Lord Shiva was pleased by their devotion and decided to play with them. He came to the river bank in the guise of a young farmer and tried to hug the girls. The girls were shocked and ran into the nearby forest losing contacts with each other. It took around one year for them to rejoin together. Kathayi, one of the seven girls, had a child in her hip.

All the other six sisters enquired about the child. Kathayi said that the young farmer forced her, and child was born to him. None of these sisters believed this story. Kathayi started crying and asked her sisters what she had to do so that they believe her. The sisters asked her to walk into fire along with her child to prove her story. She did as per their sister’s wish and came out of the fire unharmed. Lord Shiva appeared before them and said it was his play with the girls. Further, he stated that seven girls would become Village deity of the seven villages where these girls ran away to protect them from him.

The Seven girls should help in relieving the fears of the villagers. Seven Munis would assist them in their duties. Subsequently, the temples were built in their respective villages. The Seven Temple is Sannasi Nallur Parvathy, Puliyur Pattathal, Kaalingaraya Nallur Arunthavam, Vasithur Pooval, Kumarai Pachaiyamman, Venganur Maraliamman or Kathayi and Arakandanallur Poongavanam. Sannasi Nallur Parvathy is the eldest sister. All these villages are situated in Perambalur, Cuddalore and Villupuram District.

Special Features

The Temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deities of this Temple are Poomalai Appar and Pachaiyamman. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Murugan and Navagrahas in the temple premises. Stucco idols of horses, dogs and elephants can be seen facing the sanctum. Large stucco idols of Seven Munis can also be found in the temple premises.