Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple

For the Mangala Devi Temple near Mangalore, see Mangaladevi Temple.

Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple
மங்களதேவி கண்ணகி கோவில்
Mangaladevi Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Theni - Idukki (disputed)
Deity	Mangaladevi/Kannagi
Governing body	Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Kerala
Location
Location	Uthamapalayam, Kumily, Peerumedu
State	Tamil Nadu - Kerala (disputed)
Country	India
Location in India
Geographic coordinates	9°34′55″N 77°13′59″E
Architecture
Type	Dravidian Architecture
Creator	Chenguttuvan (Chea ruler)
Date established	1st-2nd Century CE
Inscriptions	Tamil
Elevation	1,337 m (4,386 ft)

Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple is a Hindu temple located at Mangaladevi, near the present-day border of Theni District (of Tamil Nadu) and Idukki District (Kerala), about 7 km from Pazhiyankudi in Theni District and 15 km from Thekkady in Idukki District.[1][2] The temple is situated at an altitude of about 1,337 m or about 5,000 feet above sea level (within the Periyar Tiger Reserve on the Western Ghat mountains).[3]

The temple is open for worship only during the time of "Chitra Poornami Festival" (in the April/May months).[3] Entry to the temple for worshipers is allowed only on "Chitra Poornami Day" each year.[1][2] Devotees usually trek to the temple two days prior to "Chitra Poornami Day" every year ( and wait in long queues to see the goddess).[4][5] The number of pilgrims to the temple is estimated to be around 25,000.[2]

The present structure of the temple shows distinct Pandya-style architecture.[3]

Historic origins

Legend has it that Kannagi, the heroine of the Tamil epic poem "Cilappatikaram", came here after burning the Pandya capital Madurai. It is also believed that Kannagi left here for (the Chera capital) Vanchi after a stay of 14 days.[2]

The temple is generally believed to have been consecrated around the 1st/2nd century CE and is dedicated to Kannagi. According to tradition, Chenguttuvan (fl. c.180 CE[6] ), the ruler of the early historic Chera Kingdom, dedicated the temple to Goddess Kannagi around 2,000 years ago (during the "Sangam period" or early historic period, at a location called "Vannathipara"). He apparently named it "Kannagi Kottam" or "Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple" and (personally) also performed regular worship there.[3]

Present forms of worship

• Inaugurating with special "pujas" and "aradhanas" to the Kannagi idol (the decorated idol is usually covered with sandalwood and turmeric paste) in the morning.[5]
• Both Brahmins from Kerala ("Namboodhiris") and Tamil pujaris performed pujas to the goddess jointly.[5]
• Priests from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala states were present in all "sannadhis".[5]
• Special pujas usually continue from 6 am to 4 pm.[2]

Current disputes

The temple is now located in a disputed area between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and entry is allowed only in the presence of the Theni and Idukki District Collectors and district police chiefs (in addition to state police officers and forest officials).[1][2] District administrations (with support of the festival organizers) usually plan elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the worship (such as the use of bamboo barricades, metal detectors, food and water distribution systems, etc.).[5]

A view from the premises of Mangaladevi Temple.

It seems that the temple originally belonged to Theni District, Tamil Nadu, as per States Reorganisation Act, 1956 but was gradually annexed by Kerala Government. Today, the temple falls entirely within Idukki District, though the dispute continues.

The Tamil Nadu government has expressed its intention to bring the temple back under its jurisdiction (under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department).[4]

See also

• Mundeshwari Temple
• Murugan Temple, Saluvankuppam

References

1. Tamilathan, Ira. Ganapathirasan (2019). Varalāṟṟu Nōkkil Maṅkalatēvi Kaṇṇaki Kōṭṭam. Madras: New Century Book House. pp. 33–37. ISBN 978-93-8897-304-5.
2. "Kodumvanathile Purathana Kannaki Kshethram; Mangaladeviyile Chithrapournami May Anjinu". Mathrubhumi. Kerala. 18 April 2023.
3. "Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple, Idukki". Kerala Tourism. Government of Kerala.
4. "Kannagi Temple at Theni to Come Under HR&CE Department". The Hindu. 7 December 2022.
5. "Thousands of Devotees Throng Kannagi Temple". The Hindu. Theni. 19 April 2011.
6. Subbarayalu, Y. (2014). "Early Tamil Polity". In Karashima, Noburu (ed.). A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp. 49–50.

External links

• "Thousands of Devotees Throng Kannagi Temple". The Hindu. Theni. 19 April 2011.