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.
