Masani Amman Temple, Erichanatham, Virudhunagar
Masani
Amman Temple is located at Erichanatham Village in Virudhunagar District of
Tamilnadu. The car festival in Chithirai month (April-May) is grandly
celebrated in the temple. People pray in the temple for various wishes such as
job opportunities, for solutions in problems in marital life, problems in the
residence, in trade and business, problems during travels, in court cases,
enemy plans, black magic fear, health and such reasons.
History
A puja
was organized by the devotees in the Aamanachi Amman temple on the banks of
Erichandham tank according to the wishes of the devotees and the approval of
the Goddess on 14th September, 2003. The devotees were shown
the spot where the Dhyaneswara Peetam should be built. It was decided to
make the Aimpon (an alloy of five metals) idol of Mother Masani Amman on the
first day of Aadi month (July – August) and the idol also was made then. The
idol was made in the premises of Annai Masani Amman Devotees Association at 5th street
of Theni Forest.
The idol
was ready on 32nd day of Aadi month being also the new moon
day. The idol was kept in a wooden box. The pujas went on for 6
months. A Vasthu Puja – selecting an auspicious place – was also conducted to
build a fort in Erichandham village. The idol of Masani Amman was taken
out of the wooden box on Thai (January-February) Pongal day in the year
2005. The idol was taken in procession through Theni, Madurai, Usilampatti
and Chettiapatti. The idol was then installed in Erichandam Masanakottai.
The
Temple
Amman
idol is made of five metals – Aimpon Silai in Tamil. Amman is installed on the
western side in ground floor facing north on a five hooded serpent. During
festival days Amman is taken to river on April-May puja days and 16 abisheks
are performed. She also presides over the Yagas-Homas during these puja days.
Before the building of Masani Amman Kottai, the idol of Amman was placed in the
western side in the ground floor below the sanctum sanctorum. She is facing
north.
Naga Kanni:
Naga
Kanni blesses the devotees from the ground floor behind the sanctum
sanctorum. Her idol is made of a single stone.
Masani Amman:
The main
idol of Masani Amman in reclining form is 16 feet long on a serpent of 3 layers
representing 3 worlds and a five hooded serpent representing the Panchaboodhas
- fire, space, water, earth and air (Vayu). The sand required for the idol
was collected from 16,000 houses. The idol was made of sand, gold and
stones supported by the grace of Amman too. Many herbals and the prayer
garlands of the devotees are also placed inside the idol.
Pechi Amman:
Pechi
Amman graces from sanctum sanctorum with Masani Amman on the eastern side facing
north. People pray to both for child boon.
Rakachi Amman:
She has her
place on the western side in the sanctum also facing north. Devotees pray to
Rakachi Amman for relief from black magic impact, enemy plans, success in court
cases and health.
Masana Kottai Dhyana Lingeswarar:
The
meditation hall built below the sanctum sanctorum is designed very
thoughtfully. Lord Shiva appears here facing north in penance form. Opposite to
him is Lord Dhyana Lingeswara. People choose this place for mental peace.
Lord Amudha Vinayaka:
He
graces from the northeast corner facing east.
Murai Karuppusamy:
Murai Karuppusamy
is the custodian deity in the south west corner.
Masana Karuppu:
Masana
Karuppu is on a peeta facing west in the front Mandapam of Masana Kottai.
Abhisheka Amman:
The idol
of Abhisheka Amman is sculpted in a single stone and placed facing north.
Saptha Kannikas:
Saptha
Kannikas - Brahmmasri, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indirani and
Chamundi are on the western side on a Peeta facing east.
Maha Muneeswarar:
Maha
Muneeswarar is placed before the main Peeta of Amman with a direct look facing
south.
Munnadi Karuppusamy:
Munnadi Karuppusamy,
facing south relieves drug addicts from this evil habit. Family members of
such liquor addicts worship him with green coconuts.
108 Karuppuswamis:
There
are 108 Karuppuswamis in the temple as one Karuppusamy for every one step and
for every one second (Adikku Oruvan, Nodikku Oruvan). Masani Amman graces from
the Sanctum sanctorum surrounded by 108 Karuppuswamis.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The
Chithirai (April-May) procession festival is grandly celebrated in the
temple.
Prayers
Those
who are unable to get solutions for their problems from their own family
deities, pray in this temple. To those who are unaware of their own
family deities, Masani Amman guides them to their own deities. The problems of
people are suitably solved through soothsaying in the temple. While in a crisis,
if a devotee thinks of Karuppuswamis, they come to their rescue. It is the
commitment of Karuppuswamis to the devotees.
People
pray in the temple for various wishes such as job opportunities, for solutions
in problems in marital life, problems in the residence, in trade and business,
problems during travels, in court cases, enemy plans, black magic fear, health
and such reasons. Realizing their wishes, devotees offer garlands to Amman made
of 108 lime fruits. They also offer garlands of other flowers, sari and glass
bangles. Those who seek child boon offer lime fruit garlands and bangles.
Contact
Sri
Masani Amman Temple,
Erichanatham
– 626 103,
Vatrayiruppu,
Virudhunagar District
Mobile: +91 8870208911 /
98421 71669
Connectivity
The
temple in Erichandam village is 19 km far from Virudhunagar on the Alagapuri-Vatrayiruppu
route. The location is called Masana Kottai. Nearest Railway Station is
located at Virudhunagar and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.