Saptha Kannikas Temple, Ezhuvarai Mukki, Thirunelveli
Saptha
Kannikas Temple is located at Ezhuvarai Mukki near Pettaikulam in Thirunelveli District
of Tamilnadu. Ezhuvarai Mukki village is a place alluring beauty of nature with
all resources.
Legends
Seven
maidens came together Ezhuvarai Mukki village for a bath in the river. The
climate was so pleasant with soft rain pour in intervals, moving clouds, soft
breeze etc. The Kannikas-maidens enjoyed the bathing and were reluctant to
come back to the banks. They forgot the passing of time. A young shepherd
passed through the place and took off all their dresses and began to leave the
place. Despite their begging requests, the fellow disappeared with their
dresses. The maidens could not come to the bank.
They
simply drowned themselves and through the water they reached a jungle region
and appeared as Goddesses. The parents began to search for the girls –
maidens. The seven maidens – Saptha Kannikas granted darshan to the
village Pujari and told them that they would make the place prosperous if
people worship them. As seven maidens – Ezhuvarai and drowned – Mukki –
here, the place is named Ezhuvari Mukki.
The
Temple
Seven
maidens – Saptha Kannikas – are the presiding deities of the temple. The Saptha
Kannikas – Brahmi, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi
are the female forms of Brahmma, Mahesan, Kumaran, Vishnu, Varaha Murthi,
Indira and Rudra respectively. Besides Saptha Kannikas, Ezhuvarai Mukki Village
has Ayyanar and Mother Muthu Parvathi Amman.
Thus
devotees have 9 Gods in the place with Ayyanar as the Custodian Deity of the
village. People of the village consider Ayyanar as Varunadeva who is
responsible for rain in the correct seasons, creation of rivers and other water
bodies as tanks and lakes. The hills are the forms of Varuna according to
our scriptures. Varuna also bears the name Athrivan derived from Athri meaning
hills. He is also the authority and rules of Dharma. He is revered as
Dharma Sastha also in our tradition.
Popular
Pura Nanooru forming part of the Sangam Literatures mentions him as Ara Peyar
Chathan – Aram in Tamil means Dharma. People of this village consider Ayyanar
with the grace of nature. Mother Muthu Parvathi Amman pours all boons to her
devotees.
Temple Opening
Time
The
temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The
temple and the villagers celebrate a festival called Oor Thiruvizha literally
meaning Festival of the Place.
Prayers
People
pray here for progress and profits in business and for child boon. Devotees
offer pudding-Pongal to Saptha Kannikas prepared in raw rice.
Connectivity
Pettaikulam
village is in a forest area of Thirunelveli district. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest Airport is located at Tuticorin, Madurai
and Thiruvananthapuram.