Malayala Bhagavathi Amman Temple

Overview

Malayala Bhagavathi Amman Temple is located in Kanakkampalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu state, India. Sri Malayala Bagavathi Amman is a swayambumurthy. Goddess Malayala Bhagavathi is the protector of her devotees from all hardships. She is the Guardian Deity to all those who come to her abode with trust and devotion. This temple is 500 years old. Plans and arrangements for building the temple were taken up in the year 1915. The consecration of the temple was performed in the year 1922. The second consecration of the temple was performed in the year 1977 on 22nd of Thai month (January-February).

History of the temple

A merchant in Karnataka was once carrying bags of turmeric in a bullock cart through the hill routes. As the weight was not in correct balance, the bullocks could not go freely. To correct the balance of weight, the trader wanted to load some rocks and went into the hill. One stone was glittering. After placing that in the cart, the balance was right. He was able to drive the cart without any difficulty. When the cart reached Kanakkampalayam the stone fell down but the trader did not notice that as there was no problem in the balancing. Sooner an anthill grew around the stone and the flies occupied the hill during the rainy season. A Valayavan – a community then living in the area – came to gather the flies for food and hit the anthill which began to bleed. The shocked valayavan informed the people there. One among the crowd was possessed and cried, "I am Malayala Bagavathy. Perform puja and worship me. I will protect you." The elders in the place immediately made a green tent – Pandal – and began pujas and worship. Later, in the year 1915, as planned, the temple came into being.

Pooja Details

Pujas to Amman are performed three times a day at 6.00 a.m., 12.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Special pujas are performed on all Fridays in the month of Aadi (July-August) and on New Moon days with abhisheks and special dressings (Alankaras). Women perform special worship with 108 lamps – Tiruvilakku.

Festivals

Saraswathi Pooja in Purattasi (September-October), Karthikai Deepam in November-December, daily Margazhi pujas in December-January, Pongal festival almost falling on January 14 and a procession in connection with this festivals and the Poochattu on the first Thursday in the month of Panguni (March-April), bringing Theerthakudam for this event, inviting the Deity for the festival and the Bhaktas (devotees) walking on the fire pit are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. Following this, Ambal (deity) is taken in procession on flower palanquin ending with the Manjalneer (water mixed with turmeric) event.

Significance

People suffering from any disease stay in the temple for 12 days continuously and light lamp called Nanda Deepam. They squeeze the essence of leaves of the trees around the temple and apply them on their body praying to the Goddess. They firmly believe that Ambal will cure them.

How to Reach Malayala Bagavathi temple, Kanakkampalayam

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore. The nearest railway station is at Erode. Malayala Bagavathi temple is 2 km west of the hill route from the Kanakkampalayam village near Gobichettipalayam in Erode district.

Temple Address