Pachai Amman Temple - Chennai

Introduction to the Anna Nagar Ayyappan Temple

The Pachai Amman Temple is a powerful ancient temple located in the Thirumullaivoyal suburb of Chennai. Thirumullaivoyal is a small village between Ambattur and Avadi. The temple lies on the main road. Pachai Amman, which means "Green Mother" in English, symbolizes fertility and the nurturing aspects of nature.

Legend of the Pachai Amman Temple

According to the temple legend, when Shiva and Parvati were residing in Kailash, Shiva, the almighty and the protector of the Earth, always spent his time guarding the world. Parvati was upset by his neglect of her and blindfolded Shiva playfully. This had a severe adverse effect on Earth. The Earth plunged into darkness, and all the living creatures in the universe froze and died.

The deities and Devas in heaven worried that the universe could be destroyed, so they approached Shiva. He opened his third eye, spread light and heat on the world, and brought the dead world to life.

The infuriated Shiva cursed Parvati to take a human form and perform penance until his anger was pacified. So, Parvati came to Earth and performed penance. She visited holy places like Kasi, Kanchi, and Thiruvannamalai. On her way from Kanchi to Thiruvannamalai, Parvati stayed at this site and performed penance. Sapta Munivargal and Sapta Kannigaigal guarded her penance at this Pachai Amman Temple.

Hence, their statues are here. Once her sentence period was over, Shiva accepted Parvati as his other half, called Ardhanareeswara.

Story Behind the Name, Pachai Amman

There are a few legends about her name. According to folklore, Gautama Maha Rishi performed a Yagna a few centuries back. He created a holy seat with a pale yellow-green grass called Durbai grass and invited Shakti. The yellow grass became intense green when Shakti sat on the sacred seat. Thus, the deity received the name Pachai Amman.

The Architecture of the Pachai Amman Temple

The Pachai Amman Temple features the typical South Indian temple architectural style. It was built 120 years ago and recently modified. The temple's Kumbhabishekam was held in January 2018. It has a Rajagopuram and a Mandapam, where the priests conduct all the rituals and functions.

The sanctum enshrines the main deity, Devi Pachai Amman, an incarnation of Parvati, as a big green-colored stucco idol. Idols of Gangai Amman and Vengai Amman flank her on both sides. Gangai Amman and Vengai Amman are famous village deities. Gautama Rishi stands facing Devi Pachai Amman in the form of a warrior. Idols of the remaining six saints, namely Vashistha, Narada, Vishwamitra, Bharadhwaja, Agastya, Kasyapa, and Jamadagni, are at the side of the sanctum. All these saints are holding weapons. There is a big statue of horses opposite Agastya. A huge Ayyanar, a guardian deity statue, is in the temple.

The temple also enshrines Vinayaka, Dakshinamurti, Shiva Lingam, and the Navagrahas. Devotees can worship the idols of Nagas under a Peepal tree. The three Utsav idols of Pachai Amman, Gangai Amman, and Vengai Amman are in a separate shrine. Priests offer Green Kumkum as Prasad in the Pachai Amman Temple. A large temple pond is opposite to the temple. A small well is inside the temple premises.

Sri Ramana Maharishi visited here to receive the blessings of Pachai Amman and bathed in the water body.

Festivals in the Pachai Amman Temple

The Pachai Amman Temple enthusiastically celebrates Chitra Purnima, Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Pooram, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, and other Hindu festivals. It attracts a huge crowd of devotees from the nearby villages.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Pachai Amman Temple

Devotees visit the Pachai Amman Temple and worship the deity for peace of mind, marriage, progeny, health, and prosperity. The temple pond is believed to have medicinal powers to relieve any ailments.