Arulmigu Maasani Amman Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple One of the very unique Amman temples in India, is Masani Amman temple. This temple is built upon the cremation ground, and the sanctum of Goddess Amman is also built upon the cremation area and ergo the Amman is called as Masani Amman by the locals and later it became the name of the temple.

Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple - Coimbatore

The deity of the goddess is seven feet long and is in gigantic sleeping position, her head is in East side and her feet faces the West. It is a very special form of Amman, no other Amman in India is found in sleeping position. At the end of the deity’s feet, a statue of Asuran is found, near to it about two feet high effigy of Masani stands magnificently.

Location: This temple is located at Annaimalai near Pollachi. It takes 1.30 hrs from Coimbatore to reach this temple.

Legend: There are many legends of Masani Amman. The very famous and known legend is that, The Masani Amman in here was erected by a pious priest. Once a villainous giant named Magudasuran, tortured the village people and kept them as his slaves. The villagers lost their patience, as his atrocities went beyond the limit. In order to put an end to all this barbarity a priest in Annaimalai, created a yaha, using the kerosene (Mannennai) from the cremation ground he lit the lamp. From this lamp Goddess Masani arose in the form of Light and annihilate the Asura. From that day onwards she was hailed as the Goddess of justice.

Another legend is that goddess Maha Shakthi arosed in this cremation ground and blessed Lord Rama to conquer Ravana and save Sita. Even in Vedas there is a mention of Masani Amman.

Yet another legend is that, the king of Kongu nadu named Kootru Nannan, had his mango groove in this area. This King’s love for mango is incredible, he wants all the mangoes for himself and became furious if anyone eats the mangoes in his grove. Once, while he was plucking mangoes from the tree, one of the mangoes slipped from his hands and fell into the stream near the garden. On the other side of the river a women was taking bath, she found this mango and tasted it, the very next second she was beheaded by the king. Without committing any mistake she was punished mercilessly by the king. This girl in order to gain justice from the heartless king, became a goddess Herself and fights against injustice. Later she was named as Masani.

Distinctiveness: This temple is a court for all justice seekers, people who lost their belongings, properties and cheated by their partners or friends, visit this temple to make their enemies suffer for their illicit activities. In the Western side of the temple there is a stone similar to Lingam, here people in need of justice grind red chilies and apply it on the stone, whishing that all their problems should be solved and their enemies should gain their proper punishment. People also offer Masani amman mud statue in order to get married soon.

Festivals and celebrations: The most phenomenal festival in this temple is the Mayana Puja, this festival falls in the month of February-march on the night of Maha shiva rathiri. On this day a function named Elumbukkadi is celebrated in the banks of River Noyyal for Goddess Angalamman. This deity is considered to be the guardian angel of Masani amman, after this function the Anglamman is taken back to the main sanctum and worshipped. Other festivals are Adi peruku, chithirai kani and New Year.

Travel Bus:

There are lots of buses from Coimbatore main bus stand to Masani Amman temple. You can also take buses...

“A powerful shrine of justice and legend”

I recently visited Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple nestled near Anaimalai, Pollachi (about 60 km from Coimbatore), and I was truly moved by its profound history and spiritual ambiance.

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📜 Historical & Legendary Insights • Ancient roots: The temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old, with its origins traced back to the Sangam era and early Kongu region rulers  . • Legend of martyrdom: A heart‑wrenching tale recounts how a woman was unjustly executed for eating a mango from King Nannuran’s grove. After she was killed, the villagers revolted and deified her by building this temple, worshiping the reclining goddess as Masani Devi . • Divine link to Rama: It’s believed Lord Rama stayed here on his search for Sita, and even fashioned the idol himself before departing to Lanka—installing the reclining posture to honor the guardian deity .

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🏛 Architectural & Iconic Features • Unique idol: The 15–17 ft deity lies reclining—an attribute not seen in other Amman temples. She has four hands holding symbolic items (skull, snake, drum, trident) . • Temple on cremation ground: Built atop a burial site (smasana), which gives it the name “Masani” (from “smasana”). It’s rare and symbolically significant in the region . • Stone of Justice (Neethi Kal): A unique serpent‑shaped justice stone where devotees apply red chili paste as a plea for justice or redress .

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🕉 Cultural Practices & Community Faith • Pursuit of justice: Many come here to seek justice for wrongs—lost property, deceit, or injustice—by grinding red chilies and smearing paste on the Neethi Kal . • Belief in speedy blessings: Devotees often report that the goddess responds to sincere prayers within 19 days, sometimes via a Mahamuni Puja on the 18th day . • Festivals & rituals: Major celebrations include Mayana Puja during Maha Shivaratri and the 18‑day Kundam festival in the Tamil month Thai. Other observances include Adi Perukku, Chithirai Kani, and weekly special days like Tuesdays and Fridays .

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💡 Practical Info & Visitor Tips • Timings: Open from 5:00/6:00 AM to around 8:00 PM . • Getting there: Reachable via bus or cab from Pollachi and Coimbatore; located 14 km from Pollachi . • Atmosphere: On auspicious days, there is a powerful sense of devotion. The justice‑giving rituals—grinding chilies, writing notes, offering ashes—feel deeply rooted in community faith. • Facilities: Options include basic queues, paid entry for closer darshan, prasadam distribution, parking, restrooms, and drinking water .

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📝 Final Thoughts

The Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple offers more than spirituality—it is a living testament to folk justice, martyrdom, and community resilience. Whether you’re drawn by the divine, history, or unique ritualistic traditions, a visit here is both powerful and memorable. For its extraordinary blend of legend, architecture, and faith, I wholeheartedly give it 5 stars.

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Lonely Planet‑style tips: • Visit on a weekday or outside festival times to avoid crowds. • Participate respectfully in the Neethi Kal ritual to understand its...

I recently visited the Arulmigu Maasani Amman Temple in Anamalai and had a memorable experience. This temple is dedicated to Maasani Amman, a powerful goddess revered by many devotees.

Location and Ambience: The temple is situated in the scenic town of Anamalai, surrounded by lush greenery and hills, which adds to its serene and peaceful atmosphere. The area is clean and well-maintained, making it a pleasant place to visit.

Architecture and Deity: The temple architecture is traditional and beautiful, with intricate carvings and colorful decorations that capture the eye. The main deity, Maasani Amman, is a unique and imposing figure. The goddess is depicted in a lying posture, which is uncommon and adds to the temple’s distinctiveness.

Rituals and Offerings: Devotees perform various rituals and offer special prayers to Maasani Amman, seeking her blessings for health, prosperity, and protection from evil. One of the unique aspects of this temple is the “Chilakkai Amman” or “Justice Seeking” ritual, where people write their grievances on a piece of paper and place it at the goddess's feet, believing that justice will be served.

Facilities: The temple provides basic amenities for visitors, including drinking water and clean restrooms. There are also several small shops around the temple premises where you can buy offerings like flowers, coconuts, and sweets.

Crowd and Management: The temple can get crowded, especially during festivals and special occasions. However, the management does a good job of maintaining order and ensuring that the devotees have a smooth and fulfilling experience.

Overall Experience: Visiting the Arulmigu Maasani Amman Temple was a spiritually enriching experience. The peaceful surroundings, the powerful presence of the goddess, and the well-organized temple facilities all contribute to making this a must-visit destination for those seeking divine blessings and tranquility.

In conclusion, the Arulmigu Maasani Amman Temple in Anamalai is a beautiful and sacred place that offers a unique spiritual experience. Whether you are a devotee or a tourist, this temple is...