Masani Amman Anamalai, Tamilnadu :

One of the extremely interesting Amman sanctuaries in India, is the Masani Amman temple. This temple is based upon the cremation ground, and the sanctum of Goddess Amman is likewise based upon the cremation region and thus the Amman is called as Masani Amman by local people and later it turned into the name of the temple. This temple is situated at Annaimalai close to Pollachi. It takes 1.30 hrs from Coimbatore to arrive at this temple.

The idol of the goddess is seven feet in length and is in tremendous sleeping position, her head is in East side and her feet faces the West. It is an extremely unique type of Amman, no other Amman in India is found in resting position. Toward the end of the god’s feet, a sculpture of Asuran is found, close to it around two feet high model of Masani stands gloriously.

ABOUT THE DEVI:

There are numerous legends of Masani Amman. The exceptionally popular and known legend is that, The Masani Amman in here was raised by a pious priest. Once a wretched monster named Magudasuran, tortured the people in the village and kept them as his slaves. The people became upset, as his deeds went beyond the limit. To stop this barbarity a priest in Annaimalai, made a yaha, utilizing the lamp fuel (Mannennai) from the cremation ground he lit the light. From this light Goddess Masani emerged as Light and obliterate the Asura. From that day onwards she was hailed as the Goddess of justice.

Another legend is that goddess Maha Shakthi arosed in this cremation ground and blessed Lord Rama to defeat Ravana and save Sita. Indeed, even in Vedas there is a mention of Masani Amman.

One more legend is that Masani amman is linked with Thadaka vadam where in Ramayana after she is killed she lays down similar to this devi and to surprise there are temples nearby with name Thadagainachi amman.

One more legend is that, the lord of Kongu nadu named Kootru Nannan, had his mango groove around here. The King’s affection for mango is incredible, he needs all the mangoes for him and became angry if anybody eats the mangoes in his woods. Once, while he was plucking mangoes from the tree, one of the mangoes slipped from his hands and fell into the stream close to the garden. On the opposite side of the stream a woman was bathing, she discovered this mango and tasted it, the extremely one second from now she was punished by the king. Without committing any mistake ,she was punished pitilessly by the lord. This young lady to acquire justice from the inhumane king, turned into a goddess Herself and battles against injustice. Later she was named as Masani.

ABOUT FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS :

The most exciting celebration in this temple is the Mayana Puja, this celebration falls in the long stretch of February-march the evening of Maha shiva rathiri. On this day a function named Elumbukkadi is praised in the banks of River Noyyal for Goddess Angalamman. This divinity is considered as the guardian angel of Masani amman, after this function the Anglamman is returned to the main sanctum and worshipped. Different celebrations are Adi peruku, chithirai kani and New Year.