Thursday, May 11, 2017

Saptha Kannikas Temple, Ezhuvarai Mukki, Thirunelveli

Saptha Kannikas Temple, Ezhuvarai Mukki, Thirunelveli
Saptha Kannikas Temple is located at Ezhuvarai Mukki near Pettaikulam in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Ezhuvarai Mukki village is a place alluring beauty of nature with all resources. 
Legends
Seven maidens came together Ezhuvarai Mukki village for a bath in the river. The climate was so pleasant with soft rain pour in intervals, moving clouds, soft breeze etc. The Kannikas-maidens enjoyed the bathing and were reluctant to come back to the banks. They forgot the passing of time. A young shepherd passed through the place and took off all their dresses and began to leave the place. Despite their begging requests, the fellow disappeared with their dresses. The maidens could not come to the bank. 
They simply drowned themselves and through the water they reached a jungle region and appeared as Goddesses. The parents began to search for the girls – maidens. The seven maidens – Saptha Kannikas granted darshan to the village Pujari and told them that they would make the place prosperous if people worship them. As seven maidens – Ezhuvarai and drowned – Mukki – here, the place is named Ezhuvari Mukki.
The Temple
Seven maidens – Saptha Kannikas – are the presiding deities of the temple. The Saptha Kannikas – Brahmi, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi are the female forms of Brahmma, Mahesan, Kumaran, Vishnu, Varaha Murthi, Indira and Rudra respectively. Besides Saptha Kannikas, Ezhuvarai Mukki Village has Ayyanar and Mother Muthu Parvathi Amman. 
Thus devotees have 9 Gods in the place with Ayyanar as the Custodian Deity of the village. People of the village consider Ayyanar as Varunadeva who is responsible for rain in the correct seasons, creation of rivers and other water bodies as tanks and lakes. The hills are the forms of Varuna according to our scriptures. Varuna also bears the name Athrivan derived from Athri meaning hills. He is also the authority and rules of Dharma. He is revered as Dharma Sastha also in our tradition. 
Popular Pura Nanooru forming part of the Sangam Literatures mentions him as Ara Peyar Chathan – Aram in Tamil means Dharma. People of this village consider Ayyanar with the grace of nature. Mother Muthu Parvathi Amman pours all boons to her devotees. 
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The temple and the villagers celebrate a festival called Oor Thiruvizha literally meaning Festival of the Place.
Prayers
People pray here for progress and profits in business and for child boon. Devotees offer pudding-Pongal to Saptha Kannikas prepared in raw rice.
Connectivity
Pettaikulam village is in a forest area of Thirunelveli district. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest Airport is located at Tuticorin, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.