Masani Amman Temple, Anaimalai
– Legends
Masani Amman:
During Sangam era, Anaimalai was
called as Nannur and was ruled by King Nannan. He owned a mango grove near
Aliyar river. The king was fond of his mango grove and was heavily guarded by
his soldiers. He had proclaimed severe punishments on those who plucked fruits
from the mango grove that belonged to him. One day, a group of girls were
bathing in the Aliyar river. A little girl saw a mango in the river that had
fallen from the grove. She consumed the fruit not knowing of the strict
measures. The guards informed the incident to the King. Nannan sentenced her to
death despite the plea of his subjects.
The little girl pleaded for
mercy and his father offered 81 elephants and gold equal to her weight to the
King Nannan for sparing her life. The king refused and executed without any
remorse. The villagers and relatives of the girl got furious over the incident,
attacked the king and killed him in a battle near Vijayamangalam. The girl was
buried in the graveyard near Aliyar river and later, a shrine was built in her
honour. The villagers made a reclining image of the girl and started
worshipping her. As she is in a crematorium (Mayanam) in a reclining form
(Sayana), She came to be called as Mayana Sayani Amman. Later, it got corrupted
to Masani Amman.
Annihilation of demon Tataka:
As per legend, Sage Viswamitra
decided to perform penance in the mountains of Kadaganachi. He heard that the
place was inhabited by a demon named Tataka. He harassed the people and sages
whomever ventured into his area. The sage felt that the demon might cause
trouble to his penance. Hence, Sage Viswamitra requested King Dasaratha to send
Lord Rama and Lakshmana along with him to the mountains of Kadaganachi.
It is believed that the brothers
made an idol of Masani Amman and worshipped her to bless them with the strength
to kill the demon. She appeared before them and blessed them with the boon to
kill the demon. Further, she asked them to destroy her idol once the demon was
killed. But, Lord Rama refused to destroy the idol. He wanted the idol to
remain in the
place for the safety of the people residing in the region.
Lord Rama was blessed by Masani Amman for his victory
over Ravana:
As per legend, Lord Rama on his
way to Lanka to rescue Mother Sita, stayed
in a graveyard in Anaimalai. He came to know the divine presence of
Parasakthi in the form of Masani Amman in this
place. He made an idol of the mother in reclining posture with the sand
from the graveyard and performed penance to seek her blessings for his victory
over Ravana. Pleased with his penance, Masani Amman appeared before Lord Rama
and blessed him for his victory over King Ravana.
Anaimalai:
As the surrounding forest hosts huge
numbers of elephants, the place came to be called as Anaimalai (Anaimalai means
Elephant hill).
Umbarkadu:
Anaimalai was called as
Umbarkadu in Padhitrupathu, one of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai)
in the Sangam literature.
