Kondathukali Amman Temple

Overview

Kondathukaliamman Temple is located at Perumanallur, Tirupur District, Tamil Nadu. This Temple is 1000 year old temple historically called as Perumpazhanam. This temple dedicated to shakti.

About The Temple

Sri Ammayappar on Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, Lord Muruga holding weapons in his 12 hands with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Lord Vinayaka with his writing instrument (Ezhuthani in Tamil) on his lower right hand facing west grace the devotees at the entrance mandapam. Behind are shrines for planet Saturn, Chandikeswara, Mother Durga & Dakshinamurthy in the corridor-prakara.

As Mother performed penance facing west, Lord Shiva too graces in the temple facing west. On his left, Mother graces with lotus flowers in hands and a crown facing west. The brass frame around her has a lion at its top. This ancient place was covered by green fields when Mother performed her penance. Green fields in Tamil are called Pazhanam, hence was known as Perum Pazhanam and Perum Pazhana Puri which in course of time changed as Perumanallur.

One Ponnambalakoothan belonging to the Chola region donated this land for renovating the Vinayaka temple here. Remembering him, the place is also known as Koothanur. Sri Sundaramurthy Nayanar and his friend Cheraman Perumal, a staunch Shiva devotee worshipped the Lord here. As the temple was built by kings Rajaraja Uthama Cholan and Uthama Chola Veeranarayanan, the Lord is named Uthamalingeswarar.

Lord Oordhvathandavamurthi, Arthanareeswarar, Veerabagu, Nambirajan with his wife and scenes explaining the importance of Shivarathri are beautifully sculpted in the pillars of the temple.

About The Deity

The presiding deity of this temple is Kondathu Kaliyamman (Kundathamman) and Kondathukaliamman. A rare depiction, left to the shrine of the Goddess showing Muthukumaran holding his sword piercing his neck is an exclusive feature of the temple not to be seen in any other temple.

Legend and Stories

Once, people began to indulge in sinful and arrogant activities, forgetting God totally. The righteous shrunk while the wicked grew in numbers. Furious Shiva caused sand rain threatening total destruction of earth. Some Shiva devotees prayed to Mother Parvathi to pardon the sinners and turn them good. Mother Parvathi pleaded with Lord Shiva for them which he turned down.

To help the people, Mother came down to earth and began a severe penance on Lord Shiva sitting westward under a Vilwa tree in Perumpazhanam. Lord Shiva appeared before Mother Parvathi and granted her wish. Mother Parvathi stayed in the place in the name of Govardanambikai with Lord Shiva as Uthamalingeswarar. Later, the temple was built by Chola kings.

Festivals

11 day Brahmotsavam in Chithirai (April-May), Aani Thirumanjanam in June-July, Sani Peyarchi – transition of planet Saturn once in two and half years, Navarathri in September – October, Shivarathri in February – March and Tirukarthikai in November – December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

The famous 'Fire Walking Ceremony' (Kundam) is held during March – April every year. The kundam is 40 feet in length and lakhs visit the temple during this ceremony. The annual car festival is celebrated during that festival with grandeur. This temple attracts a large gathering from the surrounding places all the time.

The annual festival lasts for about a month. It starts with 'poochatuthal' which marks the beginning of the festival period. About two weeks after that comes a Monday when Amman is decorated in sandal armour (Santhana Kaapu). A day after that Pongal is kept to honour the Goddess and ladies carry a sweet called 'Pachai Maavu' to be presented to the Goddess.

The famous Kundam takes place the next day (Thursday) followed by the car festival the following day (Friday). On the next day, the Goddess starts on a week-long visit to the surrounding areas in a muthu Pallakku or Pushpa Pallakku (caravan of flowers). The people of the surrounding areas receive the Goddess with prayer and offerings.

Then finally she returns to the temple and the festival is complete. During the festival, a lot of people visit the temple to offer their prayers. A lot of temporary shops and others come up during this period synonymous with fairs in India.

The other festivals celebrated include Navarathri when the Amman poses in nine forms, Chithirai Kani (Tamil New Year), Ambu Sevai (demonstration of Goddess killing a demon), Adi Perukku, Pongal and other Hindu festivals. Kudu Muzhukku or Kumbhabhishekam is performed once in 12 years. A midday free meal is provided to the poor in accordance with the chief minister's free Annadhanam project.

The goddess is taken for a procession on a golden chariot, around the temple premises every evening. There are two large temple cars which are taken for procession during the annual festivities. The temple cars are usually used for the procession during the festival times. A Golden armor or 'Kavacha' is also being made for the Goddess.

Poojas

Pooja Details	Timings
Kalasanthi	7.00 A.m.
Uchi Kaalam	12.00 Noon
Sayaratchai	6.00 P.m.

Special Poojas are conducted on Monday and Friday.

Significance

People pray for child boon, progress in education and for removal of obstacles in marriage talks. Devotees perform abishek and Vastra to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation projects of the temple.

How To Reach Kondathukali Amman Temple, Perumanallur

Airport

The Nearest Airport is located at Coimbatore.

Railways

The Nearest Railway Station is Tiruppur Railway Station.

Road

Perumanallur is 15 km from Tirupur on the Tirupur – Erode bus route running through Gobichettipalayam. Salem route and 10 km from Avinashi.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Kondathukaliamman Thirukoil,
Perumanallur,
Tiruppur District,
Pincode – 641666.