Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple
Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple
Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, also referred as Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple, is a highly revered shrine situated at Anaimalai, which is located about 24 km far south-westerly to Pollachi in Coimbatire district of Tamilnadu. It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, nestled amid grasslands against the backdrop of mighty Anaimalai Hills. The temple enshrines the goddess Arulmigu Masani Amman as the presiding deity. The deity is seen in a lying posture measuring 15 feet from head to foot, which is unique.
Masani Amman is primarily worshipped as a clan deity by certain classes in Tamil Nadu, where she is regarded as an avatar (manifestation) of Mahadevi.
According to a legend, when Lord Rama was on his way to rescue his wife, Goddess Sita, he learned about Masani Amman and that the deity represents Parasakti. He made an idol of the Goddess in a reclining posture with the sand available in the crematorium and offered her prayers before proceeding to rescue Sita. The place Annamalai is mentioned as Umbarkadu in Sangam Literature. The deity is also called Mayana Sayani (Mayanam meaning Crematorium and Sayani meaning reclining).
Legend
Thousands of years ago, Annamalai was ruled by a ruler called Nannur who owned hectares of land that had farmlands and mango groves. The panchayat of Annamalai was also called Nannur at that time. The ruler once announced the harshest levels of punishments for anyone found trespassing his property or plucking fruits. A lady, unaware of these measures, happened to eat a mango. She was immediately caught and sentenced to death. She and the villagers pleaded for forgiveness as she wasn’t aware of the rules, but Nannur didn’t budge and killed the lady. Later, the villagers fought against Nannur and killed him in a battle. After the victory, they built a shrine in the memory of the lady and named her Masani Devi, Masani meaning graveyard.
She is said to be the source of infinite energy and is believed to bless women trying to bear a child and also the one who relieves the physical issues girls undergo during puberty.
The prasad distributed at the temple is called Pachilam Marundu. It is considered to be highly beneficial for women who wish to bear a child to consume this prasad and tie a black thread around their wrist. Many women also tie a black thread to nullify the effects of witchcraft and black magic. Devotees also offer ground chilies to the justice stone with a wish to recover their possessions that have been stolen.