Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple

Situated at a distance of 15 miles away from Pollachi, Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple has a sanctified shrine of Masani Amman. Local people believe that the Goddess will respond to their prayers within three weeks if done with the right intent. The 15 feet long statue of the Goddess is filled with bright colours and can be seen in lying on the back position. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground and two hands raised above. The top hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands hold a drum and a trident. Legend has it that in olden times, this place was ruled by King Nanan who treated his people very badly. During his reign, there was a big mango tree in his farm on the riverside of Aliyar, that he loved and did not allow anyone to touch. Once however, a girl noticed a mango from this tree floating on the river and ate it. She was then sentenced to death. Later, the villagers made a female statue in lying posture using sand from the graveyard of the girl and worshipped her as ‘Masani’. It is also believed that Lord Rama stopped by to meditate here as he was drawn to the powerful vibrations when he was searching for Seetha. An interesting aspect is the presence of a stone image in the temple representing Goddess of Justice with the body of serpent. It is said that people who have suffered losses, lost their belongings or harassed in any way, come here and after a bath, put the holy ashes of the shrine on their forehead and grind red chillies in stone grinder of the temple. This paste is then smeared on stone of Justice called ‘Neethi Kal’. The temple is more crowded on Tuesdays and Fridays as well as on the new moon days. The annual Kundam Festival is a major draw when thousands of devotees throng the temple.