Masani Amman Temple
Introduction:
Puranic Significance:
A TO Z INDIA
Midhun
Masani Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in Anaimalai Town in Pollachi Taluk in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This Temple is a highly revered shrine among the Tamils. It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, nestled amid grasslands against the backdrop of mighty Anaimalai Hills.
Masani Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in Anaimalai Town in Pollachi Taluk in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This Temple is a highly revered shrine among the Tamils. It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, nestled amid grasslands against the backdrop of mighty Anaimalai Hills.
This Temple is facing towards north with five tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is enclosed within compound walls and has entrances on all four directions. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Masani Amman. Normally, goddesses in the sanctum can be seen either in standing posture or in sitting posture but here she can be seen in lying posture facing the sky which is a unique feature. The deity measures 17 feet from head to foot. She is depicted with four hands; two hands are placed on the ground and the other two hands are raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident. A demon named Makudasuran can be seen at her feet. Nadukal can be seen in front of her. There is a Neethi Kal (Stone of Justice) in the temple premises. The prayer of applying the chili paste on this stone is quite famous. Shrines of Ganesha, Pechiyamman, Kumba Muneeswarar, Durga, Mahishasura Mardini, Sapta Matrikas, Karupparayar, Bhuvaneshwari and Bhairavar can be seen in the temple premises. During Sangam era, Anaimalai was called as Nannur and was ruled by King Nannan. He owned a mango grove near Aliyar River. The king was fond of his mango grove and was heavily guarded by his soldiers. He had proclaimed severe punishments on those who plucked fruits from the mango grove that belonged to him. One day, a group of girls were bathing in the Aliyar River. A little girl saw a mango in the river that had fallen from the grove. She consumed the fruit not knowing of the strict measures. The guards informed the incident to the King. Nannan sentenced her to death despite the plea of his subjects. The little girl pleaded for mercy and his father offered 81 elephants and gold equal to her weight to the King Nannan for sparing her life. The king refused and executed without any remorse. The villagers and relatives of the girl got furious over the incident, attacked the king and killed him in a battle near Vijayamangalam. The girl was buried in the graveyard near Aliyar River and later, a shrine was built in her honour. The villagers made a reclining image of the girl and started worshipping her. As she is in a crematorium (Mayanam) in a reclining form (Sayana), she came to be called as Mayana Sayani Amman. Later, it got corrupted to Masani Amman. As per legend, Sage Viswamitra decided to perform penance in the mountains of Kadaganachi. He heard that the place was inhabited by a demon named Tataka. He harassed the people and sages whoever ventured into his area. The sage felt that the demon might cause trouble to his penance. Hence, Sage Viswamitra requested King Dasaratha to send Lord Rama and Lakshmana along with him to the mountains of Kadaganachi. It is believed that the brothers made an idol of Masani Amman and worshipped her to bless them with the strength to kill the demon.