Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Pillaivayal Kaliyamman Temple, Paiyur, Sivaganga

Pillaivayal Kaliyamman Temple, Paiyur, Sivaganga
Pillaivayal Kaliyamman Temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali located at Paiyur Village in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is 500 years old.

Legends
Five hundred years ago, people of Paiyur village prayed to Goddess Kaliyamman to save them from the troubles they were in then. The Goddess responded to their prayers born of their thoughts. People installed the deity in Singarathoppu Canal Area. They hide her in a well during the Muslim invasion. She was found while desilting the canal. She is now their deity taking care of their wellbeing.
History
During the Muslim invasions, Hindu temples were destroyed. With a determination to save the idol, the people of the place hide the idol in a canal well while desilting the well after many years, the idol was found by the people and they installed it in the temple. The Goddess is now protecting the people who saved her idol earlier. As the temple exists in the midst of green fields (Vayal), the Goddess is named Pillaivayal Kaliyamman, it is said.
Now the temple requires proper maintenance and many believe that this is also a test for them. The Andhra Parasakthi appears to be waiting for someone to take care of the temple. The officials of the Museum department who undertook a study on the temple and the idol of the deity had confirmed that the idol was made in Andhra 500 years ago.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
On the first Friday in the month of Aadi each year, the Kappukattu (commencing festivals) and Theemidhi (walking on fire pit) festival begins and ends on the last Friday with flower raining (Poo choridal) is celebrated in the temple. Also special pujas are performed each month.
Prayers
The importance of the temple is that Goddess blesses people with child boon. Devotees firmly believe if they pray here, they will have the child next year. Women awaiting marriage pray here each Friday lighting lamps to the deity so that their wedding materializes earlier. Also the lamp lighting is followed for protection of children born and to be born.
Connectivity
The temple is in Paiyur Pillaivayal village in Sivaganga District. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sivaganga and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.