Masani amman
The name masani comes from the word mayana sayani which means one who sleeps in graveyard.
In the Sangam Era, Anaimalai was known as Nannanur and ruled by a chieftain called Nannan. There was a dense grove of mango trees belonging to him. Appointing checkpost officials, he had proclaimed punitive measures against trespassers. An unfortunate young girl who was bathing in the river Aliyar stumbles upon a mango fruit coming to her, floating on the water. Unable to resist temptation, she at once picked it up and bit it. The prying officials reported the news to the ruler. The poor girl was produced before the chieftain with her clothes dripping water. She pleaded not guilty and prayed to the lord to set free.
She explained that she never committed any offence; if at all it was considered an act of stealth, it was more by chance than by choice. Although the father of the woman offered to give an image made of gold equal to her weight by way of compensation together with 81 elephants, the ruler did not relent and ordered her execution.
Filled with fury and indignation, the kith and the kin of the ill-fated woman took arms against the unscrupulous chieftain and killed him in a battle near Vijayamangalam. The body of the hapless women was buried in the graveyard. An image of her was made and people started worshipping it every Thursday and Friday. Soon a temple was built for the women, commemorating her martyrdom.
She explained that she never committed any offence; if at all it was considered an act of stealth, it was more by chance than by choice. Although the father of the woman offered to give an image made of gold equal to her weight by way of compensation together with 81 elephants, the ruler did not relent and ordered her execution.
Filled with fury and indignation, the kith and the kin of the ill-fated woman took arms against the unscrupulous chieftain and killed him in a battle near Vijayamangalam. The body of the hapless women was buried in the graveyard. An image of her was made and people started worshipping it every Thursday and Friday. Soon a temple was built for the women, commemorating her martyrdom.
Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, often referred as Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple, is a highly revered shrine situated at Anaimalai, in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. The temple, nestled amid grassland interlaced with criss-cross pathways and rivulets against the backdrop of Anaimalai Hills, is about 24 km south-west of Pollachi. It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream.
Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple enshrines Goddess Arulmigu Masani Amman as the presiding deity. Other deities worshipped include Neethi Kal (stone of justice) and Mahamuniappan.
Shrine as a grievance cell
Most noteworthy feature of the Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple is that it serves as a welfare government listening to the grievances of the public, as a clinical dispensary rectifying the physical ills of people and as a court of justice easing the suffering of men and women.
Hundreds of devotees flock to the temple, especially woman, during Tuesdays and Fridays. The annual Kundam Festival celebrated here is a major draw attended by thousands of devotees amid much pomp and splendor.
The idol of Masaniamman is very powerful one and offer blessing to all devotees who have a stunt belief in her. Devotees also expect that Goddess will respond their prayer within three weeks. There is a stone image in the temple representing as a Goddess of Justice with the body of serpent.
Merchants meeting loss in their business, people hassled by enemies, women or men who lost their belongings take bath, sport holy ashes of the shrine, grind red chillies in stone grinder of the temple, smear the paste on stone of Justice called ‘Neethi Kal’.
In the sanctum, the extensive image of Masaniamman lying on her back measures about 15 feet long from head to foot. The gigantic image of Masaniamman is painted with flashy colours.
Here, one can see Goddess Masaniamman in the lying posture. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground, two hands raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident.
On Tuesdays and Fridays devotees rush to this temple, during Krithigai and New Moon day they undergo special pooja.
Here, one can see Goddess Masaniamman in the lying posture. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground, two hands raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident.
On Tuesdays and Fridays devotees rush to this temple, during Krithigai and New Moon day they undergo special pooja.
Nannan is one among the seven great kings who were great philanthropists. (kadai elu vallal)(the last seven philanthropists.) But the case of mayanasayani has given Nannan a black mark.
It is also believed that Lord Rama on his way in search of Seetha was attracted by this powerful temple and made meditation over here which adds glory to this temple. So, once you visit Pollachi don’t miss to worship Masaniamman.
WELCOME TO ARULMIGU MASANI AMMAN TEMPLE
Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, often referred as Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple, is a highly revered shrine situated at Anaimalai, in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. The temple, nestled amid grassland interlaced with criss-cross pathways and rivulets against the backdrop of Anaimalai Hills, is about 24 km south-west of Pollachi.
It is situated at the confluence of Aliyar River and the Uppar stream Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple enshrines Goddess Arulmigu Masani Amman as the presiding deity. The deity is seen in a lying posture measuring 15 ft from head to foot. The deity is depicted with four hands; two placed on the ground and two raised above. Other deities worshipped include Neethi Kal (stone of justice) and Mahamuniappan. Legend has it that during Lord Ram wanderings in search of Sita, he stayed in Anaimalai in a graveyard.
Most noteworthy feature of the Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple is that it serves as a welfare government listening to the grievances of the public, as a clinical dispensary rectifying the physical ills of people and as a court of justice easing the suffering of men and women. Hundreds of devotees flock to the temple, especially woman, during Tuesdays and Fridays. The annual Kundam Festival celebrated here is a major draw attended by thousands of devotees amid much pomp and splendor.
This temple comes under: HRCE Inspected division of Anamalai.
