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Tamilnadu Angala Amman Temple
Melmalayanur Angala Amman Temple is one of the rare temples dedicated to Goddess Parvati at Angala Amman. It is located near Gingee, a panchayat town in Villupuram district of South Arcot in Tamil Nadu. Gingee is located between three hills with covering a perimeter of 3 km. Angala Amman is the name that is given to the Tamil deity Angala Parameshwari. Angala Amman is a not a Vedic deity and so originated from a ferocious guardian figure.
Melmalayanur is located close to Gingee in Tamil Nadu, 21 kms away from the Tiruvannamalai district. Famous for its goddess Angala Amman, devotees from all of South India flock to this temple to pay their respects to the deity.
History
The Hindu Goddess Parvati, wife of the Hindu God Lord Shiva gave birth in this temple. The reason behind this is to clean the name of Shiva from all sin and to bless the people in the area. The birth took place prior to kalyug. The temple is famous for the Hindu Goddess Angala Amman who faces northwards while blessing devotees. Goddess Parvati is said to have created the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheswara and Sahasivan. Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are supposed to act as the three hands of Gods. Various energies emanated from them, mainly wish, action and wisdom. Angala Amman gave three stones to Veeran, son of Dasan and explained the purpose of each stone. The first stone, when thrown in to a lake would fix a broken fishing net. The second stone would result in catching fish, the purpose of which was to devote to one's mother. The third stone would result in a large catch which can then be used for a profitable sale. Veeran obeyed these commands. Angala Amman then proceeded to create a snake hive in the palace garden and there he set a five headed snake. On the third day Angala Amman visited four fishermen that were trying unsuccessfully to destroy a problematic bee hive that was affecting their business. Angala Amman commanded the fishermen and told them how she was present at that location due to a curse set on her by Goddess Saraswati's curse. She told them that if they performed a daily prayer to her she would be able to save the fishermen and their future generations. Therefore, even today, fishermen pray to Angala Amman. Angala Amman blesses her devotees by staying in Melmalayanur.
The Angala Amman temple is house to the idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati and symbolizes the destruction of evil at the hands of good.
How To Reach
By Air
Travelling by Air would require going to the nearest airport which is at Chennai in Tamil Nadu. This is located at a distance of 160 Kilometers from the temple.
By Rail
The nearest Railway Station is Villupuram. If travelling from Chennai, visitors can come via the Pandian Express, Vaigai Express and Pearl City Express.
By Road
The Angala Amman temple is located 35 kilometers east from Tiruvannamalai, 20 Kilometers north of Gingee and 160 Kilometers south west from the city of Chennai.
IMPORTANT SHRINES
Angala Amman shrines are normally located outside the village amongst groves of trees. These are not usually normal temples instead they are simple stone structures. Ankalamma is considered in the Hindu religion to be one of the fiercest form of the Goddess Amman, and is worshipped by Indians and especially South Indians.
Significance Of The Temple
The temple signifies the defeat of evil by good. The Angala Amman temple is house to the idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati and symbolizes the destruction of evil at the hands of good.
Weather And Time To Visit
Tamil Nadu is a drought prone region that relies heavily on monsoon rains. The climate in Tamil Nadu fluctuates between dry sub-humid and semi-arid. The dry season exists between January to May and visitors are advised to carry extra water when travelling in this season.
Accomodation
Several hotels and guest houses function in the areas surrounding Gingee and in Tamil Nadu.
Tips For Devotees
Women generally keep their head covered when entering temples. Shoes are also left outside the temple at the entrance as walking into the temple without shoes is a sign of respect in any temple across India. Special celebrations and prayers take place at the temple at different times of the year. Chitrai Festival is the celebration of the harvest, also known as the New Year day. Aadi festival is the festival that is also called the five Friday’s festivals. Lypasi is the Indian festival of Deepawali which is also celebrated in North, East and Western parts of India. Every full moon day a special Amman prayer and cradle festival is held. During the festival of Navratri, the Angala Amman temple sees ten days of festivities.
Rules And Rituals Of The Temple
Temple prayer timings are from 5am till 9pm every day. In the morning at 5 am there is a Nadai Thirappu prayer help. From 8 am to 8.30 am a prayer called Kala Santhi is held while in the evening at 4pm and 4.30 a prayer called Sayaratchai is held. Special prayers are held at the temple throughout the year.
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