Mondaicaud Amman Temple
Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple where Devi Parvathi is the prime deity. It is located near Colachel in the Western coast of Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.[1] This is one among the most renowned and most important Hindu temples in Kanniyakumari district.
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This temple is near the sea shore of Colachel and it is a sought after pilgrim centre for both people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The ten days Kodai festival at Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Amman Temple which is celebrated on the Tamil month of Maasi(March) called as Maasi Kodai is a major celebration in the region as well as in the district. The tenth day of festival is very important and local holiday is announced throughout the district. On the seventh day a ritual called as the ' Valiya Padukka ' is celebrated in which large amount fruits, food flowers are exhibited in front of Amman. On the ninth day of festival ' Periya Chakkara Theevetti ' called as the ring of fire in front of the Utsava Murthi Amman who is taken out from the Sanctum Santorum on Velli Pallakku (Silver Cart) with various events is taken as a procession around the Temple.
On the Midnight of the tenth day a unique pooja called as the ' Odukku Pooja ' is the most important ritual of the ten days festival. This temple is known as the Women's Sabarimala because many Kerala women carry ' Irumudi ' on their heads as in Sabarimala.[2] To accommodate the large populations special buses run between Nagercoil and nearby towns at the time of festival, there are also chain services operated from Thiruvananthapuram.
The idol of Devi here is unique, huge and is earthy. There are three idols of Amman in the Sanctum Santorum. The worship is also unique as every woman who visits temple should make Pongala and offer to Bhagavathy Amman. Cane Sugar Payasam is Devi's favourite. Mandaikadu Mandaiappam is also the major food offered to Amman. Before going in to the temple, people go to the Sea and wash their hands and sprinkle some divine Sea water on their heads and walk into the temple.
The goddess of this temple, Mandaikadu Amman is also linked with Ayya Vaikundar and is detailed in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy text of Ayyavazhi. Akilathirattu is the main source of reference which addresses the divine nature of the prime deity though the Stala Purana and the related beliefs are mentioned in few other texts too.
The unique aspect of the temple is that the devotees can see Bhagavathy Amman even from the road itself. During the festivals hundreds of shops are accommodated all through the streets. Thousands of devotees worship Bhagavathy Amman each day.
References
- Gazetteers of India, Tamil Nadu State, Kanniyakumari District, pages 1186-1188, Places of Interest, Mondaikadu Amman Temple.
- Aithiga Mala, Kottarathil Shangunni, 1889, Mondaikkattuu Ammanum Kodaiyum.
Citations
- "New flag post for Mandaicadu temple". The Hindu. 7 February 2017.
- "A temple where legends abound". The Hindu. 28 September 2001.
