Masani Amman Temple, Pollachi: Grind Chillies To Gain Justice!

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Masani Amman temple in Anaimalai near Pollachi is unique in its own respect in terms of history and worship. The Goddess here is addressed as Masani Amman by devout devotees.

Masani Amman is a goddess of justice and is hailed for meting out justice to all who flock to her feet with woe ridden hearts. It is only too natural for people from all walks of life to visit the temple to gain justice for their grievances in life.

The history of Masani Amman temple

There are many stories associated with Masani Amman temple. However, the most popular one goes thus. As per local traditions, the Anaimalai region was once called Nannur and was ruled by Nannan, who had a mango grove on the banks of the Aliyaru river. Nannan placed strict orders that no fruit should be plucked by any one and used all the mangoes for his own consumption.

It so happened that a woman, who was bathing in the river, saw a mango floating in the water and consumed it ignorant about the king's order. The angry king ordered her to be killed despite the protest of the subjects. On the death of the woman, the aggrieved people built a tomb for her and also made an idol in the reclining posture.

Soon the infuriated people killed the ruler in a battle near Vijayamangalam and thus justified the death of the woman. With time a temple was built and people started worshipping Masani Amman as the goddess of justice.

The idol of Masani Amman also has a connection with Lord Rama. As per history, it is said that during the Ramayana times, Lord Rama on his way to rescue Sita in Lanka made an idol of Masani Amman using mud from the crematorium in the reclining posture and worshipped her.

As the goddess was in a reclining position in a crematorium, she came to be addressed as Mayana (crematorium) Sayana (reclining posture). With the passage of time the word evolved to become Masani. Hence she came to be hailed by the people as Masani Amman.

Masani Amman Temple

The Masani Amman temple is believed to be about 1000 - 2000 years old. The presiding deity enshrined in the sanctum in the Masani Amman temple is Goddess Masani Amman. There are also other shrines dedicated to Pechi amman, Durga, Mahishasuramardhini, Saptha Kannis, Lord Ganesha, Karupparayar, Bhuvaneshwari and Lord Bhairava in the prakara.

Mahamuniappan, also a deity, is found in front of the goddess. The idol of Masani Amman is 17 feet long in a reclining posture with her head at the south, looking upwards. The hands of the goddess hold a skull, serpent, trident and an uddukai. The Masani Amman temple is open from 6 Am to 8 PM.

Unique ways of worship in Masani Amman temple

Some unique practices are followed in The Masani Amman temple in the worship of the goddess for which it is very popular.

• There is a practice in Masani Amman temple to write down the grievances in a paper and tie it to the wrist of the goddess. People strongly believe that there will be a solution to their problems in ninety days.
• Another very unique practice to seek justice for their problems owing to treachery, thieving, cheating etc is to grind red chillies and apply it on the 'neethi kal' or 'the stone of justice' and the belief is that justice will be meted out.
• The prasad given in the temple is called Pachilam marundhu for girls who encounter health problems related to puberty. People tie red or black thread worshipped at the shrine around their wrist for protection against witchcraft and evil spells.
• As a sign of gratitude, devotees offer sarees, apply oil called Thailakaapu for the goddess, offer mangalsutras, cradles after childbirth etc.

It is auspicious to worship goddess Masani Amman on New Moon days, Tuesdays and Fridays. Apart from this, devotees devoutly take part in the annual festival, which is celebrated grandly and which falls between the months of January and February. Let us thus invoke the Grace of Masani Amman to ward off all evil for a peaceful life.