Pulvanayaki Amman Temple, Paganeri, Sivaganga
Pulvanayaki
Amman Temple is located at Paganeri at a distance of 6 kms from Madagupatti in
Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. Thala Vriksham is Neikotta Maram. The Temple
is 500 years old.
Legends
A proud
demon, with a fund of boons acquired by him, was harassing people on
earth. People prayed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord planned
to kill the demon through Ambica. When Ambica covered the eyes of the Lord
with her hands as a joke, she had to be born on earth. She fought with the
demon who played many magic to conquer the mother. He took the form of a
grass to cheat the mother, but was swallowed by her taking the form of a
deer. People were happy to see the deer but could not go near, as it ran away
and hid in the ground. People dug the place and found the idol of Mother. Pulvai
in Tamil means deer. Hence, mother is so named. A temple came into
being. The temple is under the administration of Sivaganga Samasthanam
Devasthanam.
The
Temple
There is
a panchaloka (made of five metals) idol of Mother Chamundeeswari in a furious
form which she took while destroying a demon. As her look cannot be
absorbed by humans, the idol is kept in the sanctum sanctorum. The Goddess is
brought out in procession only on a festival in Aani month (June
July). To protect the people from her view, the eyes are set to look
at the ground only. Newly wedded couples and pregnant woman would be
allowed to see the deity in procession.
Jallikattu
is followed as a prayer commitment in the temple. The spring before the
temple is considered very sacred as it contains a creature as insets or
germs. This has a strange characteristic of becoming a stone in course of
time called Saligrama. Hence a dip in the tank is a must. Agni Ambal –
Goddess of Fire is under the sacred tree Neikotta tree in the form of a
Peeta-seat. Devotees worship her with Kumkum and turmeric.
Great
Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, Leader of the Freedom Movement
Mahatma Gandhi, Shakespeare’s romantic personalities as Romeo and Juliet,
famous Tamil Singer M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and actress T.R. Rajakumari
occupy the tower of the temple. Outside the temple, under the tower is the
shrine for Lord Kainthavakala Ganapathy. The statues that were in the car
(rath) of the temple are installed under the tower. There are shrines for
Bhairava, Muneeswara and Saneeswara Bhagwan.
Those
faced with injustice, punished for an offence not committed by them, cheated by
others come here and embrace the Kodimaram submitting their grievances and seek
justice. They come here after a dip in the tank outside the temple and do
the prayer. It is believed that Mother Pulvanayaki hears them and renders
justice.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Purattasi
Navarathri in September-October, Aadi Fridays in July-August and Thai Fridays
in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Persons
hurt by others unjustly seek the grace of Mother by embracing the Kodimaram in
the temple. Devotees on realizing their wishes execute their prayer commitment
in a novel way. During the festivals in the temple, they organize Jallikattu
(bull fight) and fulfill their commitment. The practice still exists.
Connectivity
Madagupatti
is 24 km from Sivaganga. Paganeri is 6 km from Madagupatti. Buses are available
only at specific hours. Nearest Railway Station is located at Manamadurai
and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.