Selva Maha Kali Amman Temple, Udayalur
Sri
Selva Maha Kali Amman Temple is located at Udayalur, a village in the
Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Udayalur is a few
kilometers away from the historic Chola dynasty stronghold town of Kizha
Pazhayarai. The village was historically called "Sri Kangeyapuram". Sri
Selva Maha Kali Amman, also called Thillai Kali is one of the Ashta Kalis of
Chola Kingdom. She is the Kaval Deivam (Protecting Deity) of Udayalur.
As per
the Puranas, the consort of Sri Chidambaram, the Lord of Thillai, got angry
with the Lord and came to Udayalur. She entered the village from North. On
Thillai Kali’s request, the original village deity granted some space to stay.
However, as Thillai Kali would not leave the place, the original deity moved to
the other bank of Palkulam opposite Sri Kailasanathar temple. She thus, came to
be known as Sri Paalkulathu Amman. The famous proverb "Ondavantha Pidari
oor pidariyai virattiyatham" – meaning the deity seeking shelter drove
away the original resident, finds its origin in this story.
Sri Sri
Mahaswamihal once explained that Bhattarika became Pidari over the years much
like Kathayi for Karthyayini. Thus Sri Selva Maha Kali Amman became the prime
deity of the village. Even though Sri Paalkulathu Amman and Ayyanar are
worshipped, the village people worship Thillai Kali as main deity during the
annual Thirunal (Thiruvizha) celebrated in Panguni (March – April).
The
Thiruvizha is a month long festival, celebrated jointly by all communities in a
sincere and grand manner. People come from nearby villages, towns and even from
far off places on important days. Panguni is the time when harvesting is over
and people have money. Thus, the Thiruvizha is a thanksgiving festival. It
begins on the first Wednesday of Panguni, with “kappu” or “pratisara bandhanam”.
A thread
is tied around the right hand of Sri Selva Maha Kali Amman and also the temple
Poojari. Once this is done, all those present on the kappu day necessarily
return to the village for the night till the "kappu" is removed as
mark of closure of festival. The strong belief is that Amman grants all
prayers. During the first fortnight, Sri Ayyanar visits the village on
different vahanams (vehicles), carried by youngsters. The village residents
welcome him with coconut, fruits and flowers, at their door. Sri Ayyanar
represents all the deities of village during these days. On the third
Wednesday, Sri Ayyanar goes to Sri Paalkulathu Amman to invite her for the
function and along with her goes to invite Selva Maha Kali Amman Temple present
in the Siva temple.
The Utsavar
of Sri Selva Maha Kali Amman is taken out of the temple only during the
festival. With all the three deities in attendance, in front of Siva temple, a
traditional song in praise of the Goddess takes place, which is called
"Pallu Paduthal". The family entitled to do so, recollect the
miracles performed by the deities. Then Selva Maha Kali Amman riding on Yali
vahanam and Sri Paalkulathu Amman on horse vahanam is taken on a grand
procession in a beautifully decorated chariot with Melam, Nadaswaram, band and
musicians proceeding ahead of them.
All the
villagers irrespective of caste and creed pull the chariot. The procession
reaches the starting point almost at midnight. Among the various offerings, the
most important is Kanmalar (a silver eye) and a silk pavadai. The people
pulling the chariot are offered Panagam (spiced jaggery water), Neermor (butter
milk), Kozhukkattai (modak), and Appam etc. Plenty of garlands adorn the
deities.
On reaching
the starting point, a special Abhishekam is performed and each deity is taken
on a procession on separate chariots. On reaching the place called mannadi,
"Munnottam – Pinnottam", which literally means, running forward and
backward takes place, to the thrill of everyone present there. 50-60
people carry each Deity.
Madurai
Veeran who is a great devotee of Sri Ambal also participates. During this time
10 to 15 "Parais", a percussion instrument, are played. One has to be
physically present to actually experience the inexplicable joy produced by the
resonance and rhythmic sound of these parais. People who prayed for their
health, offer salt and pepper on the deities.
Silambattam,
a war like game is a part of the festival. It is played using thick 7 ft. long
canes. Skilled combatants fight several opponents simultaneously. Other
functions like Abhishekam, Koothu (a puranic musical drama) follow on Thursday.
These days music recitals also take place. The deities are then brought to Sri
Laksmi Narasimhar Temple on Friday and again "Pallu Paduthal" goes
on.
The
performers indicate the next year’s prospects to the villagers. Ladies flock
the temple from Friday through Sunday and follow the old tradition of lighting
"Maavilakku Deepam". A cup is made out of rice flour and jaggery, by
pounding them together, along with little ghee, and then ghee is poured in it
and as usual is lighted using a wick. On Sunday, the uthsavars are moved to Sri
Kailasanathar temple for regular pooja, till next festival.
People
who fall ill or suffer from diseases of a particular part of the body pray to
her that they will keep clay idols of the full body, or the body parts during
the festival. They are cured by her. People desirous of off spring keep a horse
idol. This way the potters are also benefited.