Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple

Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple

Kondathu Kaliamman Temple is an 1500 years old Amman temple located at Pariyur near Gobichettipalayam in Tamil Nadu.Arulmigu Kondathu Kaliamman is a powerful Goddess who was the deity responsible for the prosperity of the country ruled by Pari.

The place was previously known as Azhagapuri or Parapuri and the name Pariyur came from ‘Pari’ ‘oor’ meaning, ‘place ruled by Pari’. Vel Pari was a great king who is considered in Tamil literature as one of the Kadai ezhu vallal (literally meaning, the last of the seven great patrons).

The temple has a five-storey main Gopuram at the South corner and an outer mandapam covering the inner sanctum made of black marble. There are intricate carvings on the pillars of the temple including a ball shaped of single stone inside the lion’s mouth. The lion is considered the main vahana (vehicle) of the Goddess. The goddess facing north wears a crown of fire and is seen stamping a demon under her feet. Rudra is believed to be on the head of the Goddess.

There is a colossal statue of Sri Maha Muniappan, who is regarded as the savior against fear and evil apart from granting boons for bearing children. The divine ropes offered to Sri Maha Muniappan and Sri Kondathu Kali is considered to provide protection against evil and ill health. Apart from this, there are deities of Kaval Deivam (Guardian Deities), Brahma and other Gods/Goddess. Inside the temple, there are statues of Bramhi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Mahendri and Chamundi. There is an urchavar statue normally referred to as ‘Chinna Amman’ which is the miniature of the main Goddess.

To decide on things, people around the area ask the decision of the Goddess through a special practice known as “Vaaku Kettal”. They keep flowers on both the sides of the Goddess Kaliamman and the decision depends upon the flower which falls from the statue. The Goddess is specially dressed in sandal paste or turmeric paste during festivities.

The famous ‘Fire Walking Ceremony’ (Kundam) is held during January every year. The kundam is 40 feet in length and lakhs visit the temple during this ceremony.

Sri Kondathu Kaliamman protects devotees affected by magic spells, blesses devotees with child boon, a happy wedlock, high yield in farm occupations and all perennial happiness.