Theepachi Amman Temple, Vannarpettai, Thirunelveli
Theepachi Amman Temple is located very near to the
Bus Stand in Vannarpettai in Thirunelveli Town in Thirunelveli District of
Tamilnadu. The temple has all the attributes of the story of Kannagi, the celebrated
woman of Tamilnadu who proved the power of her chastity before the Pandya king
in Madurai.
Legends
India has the reputation of being the home of women
praised for their chastity of highest degree. They willingly and unhesitatingly
accompanied their husbands in death. Tamilnadu celebrates them as their
Goddess. Temples are built for them as the one for Kannagi. Theepachi
Amman in Thirunelveli belongs to this noble community. Akkammal residing in
Ettayapuram was a staunch believer. After marriage, the couple loved each other
heart and soul that they could not live without the other. While she was
working in the field one day, she told the shepherds that she would be
receiving a message which they did not take seriously.
Meantime, her relatives arrived at the place and
asked her to return home with them without giving any reason. Akkammal
calmly told them that they were urging her to return home as her husband died
by then. They were shocked as it was true. Returning home, she did not cry
or weep as ordinary women but stood resolutely to the surprise of kith and
kin. She simply said that she was in her husband by soul and would accompany
him in his last journey. Relatives could not stop her. Even the ruler of
Ettayapuram could not change her mind. She wanted the cremation of her
husband on the banks of Tambiraparani.
She also had a dip in the river and joined the pyre
and shed her mortal coil along with her husband. Lakshmi, a friend of Akkammal
since child hood also joined them in death as she could not bear the
separation. Praising Akkammal’s chastity, people built a temple for her
then. As Akkammal sprang into the fire (Thee Paichal in Tamil), she was
praised as Thee Paintha Ambal which later changed as Theepachi Amman.
The
Temple
Theepachi Amman is the presiding in this Temple. Along
with the presiding deity, her husband also is nearby in the sanctum
sanctorum. There is also a shrine for her friend Lakshmi along with her
husband and children. Those devoted to Theepachi Amman pray to her on Shivarathri
day and others attached to Lakshmi Ambal pray on Panguni Uthiram. Couples
desiring to be together throughout life, pray to this deity. The temple has all
the attributes of the story of Kannagi, the celebrated woman of Tamilnadu who
proved the power of her chastity before the Pandya king in Madurai.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and
from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Masi Shivarathri in February-March and Panguni
Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Women pray seeking a good life partner. Devotees
perform special pujas and offer vastras to the deity. People believe that
worshipping the Goddess on the last Tuesday and last Friday in the month of
Aadi (July-August) would bring them immense benefits.
Contact
Sri Theepachi Amman Temple,
Vannarpettai, Thirunelveli – 627 003
Phone: +91 – 462 – 250 0344 / 250 0744
Connectivity
The temple is located very near to the Vannarpettai
bus stop on the Thirunelveli - Palayamkottai road. Buses are available from Thirunelveli
junction, old and new bus stands. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli
and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.