Thottiyam - Madurai Kali Amman Temple and Its History

Madurai Kali Amman Temple and Its History

The main temple of this small town is Madurai Kali Amman, and the main festival in March is worth visiting and watching. This goddess is consider Kannagi or (Kannaki) (Tamil: கண்ணகி), a legendary Tamil woman, is the central character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. Legend has it that Kannagi took revenge on the king of Madurai, for a mistaken death penalty imposed on her husband Kovalan, by cursing the city with disaster and then came to Thottiyam. Locals consider her to be a very powerful and kind goddess and people from various districts come to offer their prayers to her.

About 500 years back King Esanakarayar ruled this area. Chinnan, a servant who worked in his stable, wants to go to Kali Festival at Madurai. He got permission from the King and he went to Madurai with his "Parai", a musical drum and stayed at his brothers-in-law's houses. Next day he went to Kali temple and began to play "Parai" rhythmically. Goddess Kali admired by the music of Chinnan and followed him back to Thottiyam and Goddess Kali seated under the "Vanni" tree. Later a temple was constructed by Pujankrayar at this place. This temple is surrounded by lush green fields. There is a three-tier tower, 27-pillar mandapam and a five-pillar Arthamandapam gives notorious look to this temple. Many beautiful sculptures are carved inside the temple. The name of the Goddess is Madurai Kaliamman and the Thalavirusham is "Vanni" tree.