Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Devi Temple

Introduction about the Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple

Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Shakthi. The temple is located near Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu. Here anthill is worshipped as the Goddess, about 15 feet tall. People believe that the anthill is growing daily; it has five heads.

The belief says this structure is made at the same place where Adi Shankaracharya once performed puja to a Sri Chakra. There is a sanctum sanctorum of Sri Chakra, also. The face of the Goddess exists at the upper end of the structure. The temple seems to be built in Kerala style.

History

History says that in the olden days, Sri Sankaracharya used to perform the Srichakra Puja in Kerala. He would do it regularly with some disciples. One day Sri Sankaracharya wanted to stay at this place for a long time, and that is how he attained Samadhi. This was also the place of Srichakra.

Then as time passed, an anthill started to grow in the same place. Over the years, this structure grew stronger and taller. Children there started hitting this anthill, but they would get hurt every time. This also became news and started spreading. The news reached the King of Kerala, Marthanda Varma; the king looked upon the situation and decided to build a temple there. This way, he kept the anthill secure as well as the children.

People started performing puja to this anthill and considered it significant. This same place is now known as Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Devi Temple; the anthill is preserved in the Sabarimala.

After a few days, another incident happened. Some outsiders approached the village people at midnight. They knocked on some doors and asked for food as they were hungry. However, the villagers did not want any trouble, so they were not hospitable. They then directed those outsiders to the temple for food.

The travelers then approached the temple and prayed to the Goddess for some food. A miracle happened when they heard the voice of the Goddess, who asked them to take a bath and have food. They all took a bath and went to the temple again, where the Goddess herself fed them food.

After satiating their hunger, they all slept well in the temple. They also had a dream of seeing the Goddess lovingly smiling at them. They then returned to their track; before returning, they left all their valuables for the Goddess as an offering. The following night, the king of the place had a dream when the Goddess told him to build a temple for her with the travelers' money and valuables. Hence a temple was made by the king to serve the Goddess.

However, the hill was growing in height, so the king had to demolish the temple twice. The king then requested the Goddess not to grow the hill anymore. The Goddess said that it is not possible to stop the height, but it will only grow equal only to a grain size each year. 

Importance/Significance

Devotees have a lot of faith in the Mandaikadu Bhagavathy Devi Temple; they consider the Goddess so significant. Devotees here offer wedlock chains and silk clothes to please the Goddess. By doing so, the Goddess helps the devotee to get married soon or find an ideal life partner.

Those who are handicapped also offer silver limbs as they believe doing so will cure their condition. Those who are childless and want to conceive, provide a hammock for the Goddess; this grants their wish to become pregnant.

People with other ailments, such as headaches, also come here and pray to Goddesses to heal them. They offer Mandaiappam, a sweet made using rice flour and jaggery.

Sometimes fireworks are lighted as it is believed to ward away any evil energies. People who believe that some evil eye is troubling them to perform Vedi Vazhipadu.

In the temple, Mansoru eating takes place, which refers to eating food on the temple floor. This food is considered as prasadam given by the Goddess. 

Festivals And Important Dates

Many days occur here, such as Full moon day (Poornima), Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. On all these days, more devotees visit the temple and offer their prayers to the Goddess.

The most important festival occurs in Maasi month (February – March) when thousands of people visit the temple.

Mandaikadu Temple Timing

• Morning Darshan Timing is from 5:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Evening Darshan Timing is from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm