MANGALA DEVI TEMPLE

[padmanabha]

.Chitra Purnami is just two months away. People visit the controversial Kannagi temple also known as Mangaladevi temple, on the Kerala Tamilnadu border. The row over this temple is old and it is still kept alive, and is limited to a few write ups like this.
Location: It is located on the Western Ghats 130 kms from Madurai. It is closer to GUDALUR(TN) AND Kumuli(Kerala).

The temple has been in possession of Kerala, as it is within the political border of Kerala. But the pilgrims are from Tamilnadu. For the Tamil woman folk Kannagi is the epitome of chastity.

The issue began in 1971 when Karunanidi govt, decided to renovate the temple. The massive structure is left to the whims of nature. The Tamilnadu claims that the temple is an integral part of Kerala based on the maps and survey reports published in 1857n and 1916 and the Madurai district gazette published in 1934.
The upper part consists of an undulating plateau covered with dense evergreen forests. BELOW IS ROCKY GRASSLAND. Beneath it, is the lower slopes covered with deciduous forests. Here lies the source of Suruli River. The beautiful waterfall is a well known land mark on the road of the Periyar Lake.
Legend:-Kannagi after burning Madurai, to avenge the injustice done to her slain husband Kovalan, reached suruli hills (Murugavel kundram). She stood under a vengai tree.
Kannagi reached heaven in a pushpaka vimana. Chera senguttuvan camping on the banks of Periyar was informed of Kannagi’s story by Koola-vanigan Sattanar. If the younger prince who had renounced the world, was fascinated by the characterization of KANNAGI AND HE AUTHORED Silappadikaram, THE KING AS DIRECTED BY HIS CONSORT, erected a temple for Kannagi. It is said that the stone for the idol was brought from the Himalayas. Gajabahu Lankan ruler attended the consecration of the temple.
The condition of the temple is pathetic. The idols are mutilated and exposed to the elements. Who is bothered? Ministers and the department of Archeology have “other works” to do.

[crazy]

The condition of the temple is pathetic. The idols are mutilated and exposed to the elements. Who is bothered? Ministers and the department of Archeology have “other works” to do.

[Uppuma]

The Temple is close to Kambam than Kerala; Keralites must come inside Tamilnadu to visit this Temple. But Poorly Maintained. Unfortunate.

Gagavahu is dated to First half of 2nd Cen.

The temple must be protected.

[newnewgen]

HI,
Hi,
Have you visited the temple previously?

I require few details:

When to arrive at kumuli, is it ok to be at kumuli on full moon or due to heavy rush need to be present one day before itself?

with regard to the sacred thread, when will it be given?



thanks
raju

[virarajendra]

Dear Padmanaba,

Could you very kindly let me know whether the Mangaladevi Temple at the TamilNadu - Kerala border was the actual Kannahi Amman Temple built by Cheran Chenguttuvan, or is it the Bagawathi Amman Temple of Kodungallur, Kerala, was the actual temple built by this king

The Bagavathi Amman Temple is located at the present Kodungallur the former Vanji Nagaram also known as Mahothai, where as the Mangaladevi temple is located at the Kerala - TamilNadu border away from former Vanji Nagaram.

May be as you say that could have been another Kannahi Amman
Temple, but the actual Temple built by Cheran Chenguttuvan has to be within Vangi Nagaram.