Pachaiyamman Temple, Kumarai, Cuddalore
Pachaiyamman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
village deities Pachaiyamman and Poomalai Appar located in Kumarai Village in
Thittagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to
be built in 19th Century CE.
Legends
Once, a Villager lived in the foot hills of Podhigai
Mountains, had seven daughters. He struggled to get them married to suitable
bridegrooms. On seeing their father struggle, the daughters installed Seven
Shiva Lingas made of sand on the river bank and worshipped Lord Shiva to clear
their worries. Lord Shiva was pleased by their devotion and decided to play
with them. He came to the river bank in the guise of a young farmer and tried
to hug the girls. The girls were shocked and ran into the nearby forest losing
contacts with each other. It took around one year for them to rejoin together.
Kathayi, one of the seven girls, had a child in her hip.
All the other six sisters enquired about the child.
Kathayi said that the young farmer forced her, and child was born to him. None
of this sisters believed this story. Kathayi started crying and asked her
sisters what she had to do so that they believe her. The sisters asked her to
walk into fire along with her child to prove her story. She did as per their
sisters wish and came out of the fire unharmed. Lord Shiva appeared before them
and said it was his play with the girls. Further, he stated that seven girls
would become Village deity of the seven villages where these girls ran away to
protect them from him.
The Seven girls should help in relieving the fears of
the villagers. Seven Munis would assist them in their duties. Subsequently, the
temples were built in their respective villages. The Seven Temple are Sannasi
Nallur Parvathy, Puliyur Pattathal, Kaalingaraya Nallur Arunthavam, Vasithur
Pooval, Kumarai Pachaiyamman, Venganur Maraliamman or Kathayi and
Arakandanallur Poongavanam. Sannasi Nallur Parvathy is the eldest sister. All
these villages are situated in Perambalur, Cuddalore and Villupuram District.
The Temple
The Temple is facing towards east with three tiered
Rajagopuram. Presiding Deities of this Temple are Poomalai Appar and
Pachaiyamman. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Murugan and Navagrahas in the
temple premises. Stucco idols of horses, dogs and elephants can be seen facing
the sanctum. Large stucco idols of Seven Munis can also be found in the temple
premises.
Festivals
Panguni Uthiram and Avani Month Fire walking festival
are the most famous festivals celebrated here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 8 Kms from Thittakudi, 9
Kms from Thittakudi Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Veppur, 19 Kms from Pennadam Railway
Station and 109 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Thittakudi
to Kaliyamedu Route via Nedunkulam.
Location