Masani Amman is a
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
deity. She is primarily worshipped as a clan deity by certain classes in Tamil Nadu, where she is regarded as an
avatar
Avatar (, ; ), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appear ...
(manifestation) of
Mahadevi
Mahadevi ( sa, महादेवी, ), also referred to as Adi Parashakti, Adi Shakti, and Abhaya Shakti, is the supreme goddess in the Shaktism sect of Hinduism. According to this tradition, all Hindu goddesses are considered to be manifesta ...
.
Her temple is located in
Anaimalai
Anaimalai is a taluk in Coimbatore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Agricultural day work is the main occupation. Paddy, banana, sugarcane and other crops are grown in the area. Anaimalai is a pilgrimage spot, due to the worship o ...
,
Pollachi
Pollachi is a town and a taluk headquarters in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu state, India. Located about to the south of Coimbatore, it is the second largest town in the district after Coimbatore. Pollachi is a popular Marketplace for jag ...
,
Coimbatore district
Coimbatore district is one of the 38 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Coimbatore is the administrative headquarters of the district. It is one of the most industrialized districts and a major textile, industrial, commercial, edu ...
of
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...
state,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
.
Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, also referred as Anaimalai Masani Amman Temple, is a highly revered shrine situated at Anaimalai, which is located about 24 km far south-westerly to Pollachi. It is situated at the confluence of
Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, nestled amid grasslands against the backdrop of mighty Anaimalai Hills. The temple enshrines the goddess Arulmigu Masani Amman as the presiding deity. The deity is seen in a lying posture measuring 15 feet from head to foot, which is unique. Other deities worshiped in the complex include ''neethi kal'' (stone of justice) and Mahamuniappan. It is a popular belief here that Masani Amman cures any illness if one goes around her
trident
A trident is a three- pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm.
The trident is the weapon of Poseidon, or Neptune, the God of the Sea in classical mythology. The trident may occasionally be held by other mar ...
.
Legend
According to local tradition, during ancient times, Anaimalai was known as Nannur and the region was ruled by Nannuran. He had proclaimed severe punishments on those who plucked fruits from the dense mango grove that belonged to him. One day, a lady happened to consume a fruit not knowing of the strict measures. Nannuran sentences her to death despite the plea of the general public. Later, Nannuran was killed by the villagers in a battle near Vijayamangalam, and a shrine was erected to worship the lady who sacrificed her life. Since the lady was killed, the deity was called as Masani, which meant mango in old Tamil. Later, the deity came to be known as Masaniamman.
See also
*
Devi Kanya Kumari
Devi Kanya Kumari (Tamil: தேவி கன்னியா குமரி, Sanskrit: देवी कन्या कुमारि) (IAST:dēvi kanyā kumāri) is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Mahadevi in the form of an adolescent ...
*
Angala Devi
Angala Devi, also known as Angalamman and Angala Paramesvari, is an aspect of the Hindu goddess Parvati, primarily worshipped in the villages of South India as a ''kaval deivam'', a guardian deity. She is often additionally considered to be an ...
*
Isakki
Isakki (Tamil: இசக்கி, Sanskrit: इसक्कि), also called Isakki Amman, is a folk Hindu goddess. The term Isakki derived from the Sanskrit yakshi, through the Prakrit ''yakki''. Her veneration remains popular among certain H ...
References
External links
Official WebsiteTemple of Justice in Tamil Nadu
Shaktism
Goddesses
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