Temples in Coimbatore

     The Shrine serves as a welfare Government listening to the grievances of the public, as a clinical dispensary remedying the physical ills of the people and as a court of justice relieving the distress of men and women.

     Devotees record their aspirations, claims and hopes on a piece of paper and submit it to the temple priest to be placed on the trident of the deity. It is firmly believed that the Goddess responds to their prayers within a period of 90 days.

     There is a stone image in the temple representing the Goddess of justice with the body of a serpent, popularly known as 'Neethi Kal' (Stone of Justice). People harassed by enemies, merchants meeting with loss in business or men and women who have lost their belongings take bath, sport holy ashes of the shrine and then grind chillies in the stone grinder of the temple and smear the paste on the so called 'Neethi Kal'. Barren women are blessed with offsprings. The special medicine given by the shrine relieves the gynaecological disorders of women.

     Nowhere in Tamilnadu, perhaps even in the whole of country can be found the reclining image of Goddess. In the Sanctum-Sanctorum, the sprawling image of Masaniamman lying on her back, measures 17 feet from head to foot. It is a giant-size stucco work painted in flamboyant colour. The deity has four hands - two placed on the ground and two raised above. While the two right hands hold a skull and a snake, the two left hands hold a tiny drum and a trident. In front of the Sanctum Sanctorum is a niche, wherein is enshrined Mahamuniappan. The image is also painted in rich colours and fascinating to the eye.

     In the Sangam Era, Anaimalai was known as Nannanur and ruled by a chieftain called Nannan. He had a very special mango tree in his farm on the riverside of Aaliyar, which he was so fond of. He was so particular that nobody was allowed to use neither the mangoes nor its leaves.

     Once, a group of girls were having their bathe in the Aaliyar river and saw a mango floating on the river which belonged to Nannans tree, on anxiety one of the girl picked the mango and ate it. She pleaded not guilty and prayed to the lord to be sat free. Although the father of the woman offered to give an image made of gold equal to her weight by way of compensation together with 81 elephants, the ruler did not relent and ordered her execution.

     After some time the villagers in that particular area formed a female figure in lying state in remembrance of the innocent girl on the graveyard sand and started worshipping her. In due course she was worshipped by the name "Maasani". Later Kozhinkhosargal defeated king Naanan and destroyed that particular mango tree. It is believed that Lord Rama on his way in search of Seetha, was absorbed by the power of this temple, stopped here and performed his meditation adding glory to this temple.

Annual Kundam Festival
     Every year on the New Moon Day of the Tamil Month 'Thai' the temple flag is hoisted. On the 14th day, at midnight, devotees hasten to the graveyard for special worship. An image of the deity is made out of the clay taken from the graveyard and prayer is offered to it. On the 15th day after fulfilling the formality of what is known as 'Kankan', 'Kumbhasthapanam' takes place. Special worship is performed at 3.00 A.M. On the 16th day comes the Chithira Ther Festival. After the car circumambulated the town, at 10.00 P.M. the holy fire of the 'Kundam' is lighted. On the 17th day at 9.00 A.M. devotees, in great excitement and frenzy jump into a fire-pit sprawling to a staggering length of 40 feet for fire-walking in fulfillment of their vows. On the 18th day, the flag is lowered. After anointment to the deity, is performed 'Mahamuni Pooja'

Holy Days
     Vaikasi Visakam, Adi Perukku, Adi Pooram, Tamil New Year Day, Amavasai, Vinayakar Chathurthi, Deepavali, Karthigai Depam, Markazhi Dhanur Pooja, Navarathri

Location
     It is located at the spot where the river Aliyar and the stream uppar meet at a distance of 15 km South West of Pollachi.

Tourist Places
     The tourist spot of Top Slip is situated at a distance of 25 km from Anaimalai. Parampikulam is situated at a distance of 40 kms from anaimalai. Monkey falls, Aliyar dam and vedhathri maharishi's avl. thirukoil are situated at a distance of 20 kms from Anaimalai.

Bus Service
     The temple is 15 km away from Pollachi Town. Town Buses ply between Pollachi and Anaimalai and back at an interval of 10 minutes. The city of Coimbatore is connected with Chennai by Train, bus and plane.

Train Services
     Nearest Railway Station - Pollachi.

Air Services
     Nearest Airport - Coimbatore.

Worship Time
     The Sanctum of the deity is kept open from 6.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M.

Contact Address
The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple,
Anaimalai - 642104. Pollachi Taluk, Coimbatore District.
Ph : +91-04253-282337
E-mail: anaimalaimasaniamman@sancharnet.in
Website: http://www.anaimalaimasaniammantemple.org

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