Kathiramangalam Shri Vana Durga Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Beautiful and rare gem of a Durga temple. Must visit if you are a Devi bhakta. Goddess is vara prasaadi (bestows boons). Very peaceful atmosphere and surrounded by dense trees. Close to Suriyanar Kovil (about 8kms?), which is the temple for Sun in the navagraha temple circuit.

All Durga temples are potent Rahu-pleasing centres and if Rahu is malefic in your horoscope, you should plan a visit here. Marriage delays/issues etc get resolved quickly after visiting this temple. Durga helps remove seen/unseen enemies, including the internal ones within us.

We have been here 10 years ago and were blessed to visit the place again this week on a Ashada (Aadi) Tuesday, and offer our prayers to the Divine Mother. Was very happy to see that the temple has expanded multi-fold from the small structure that was there before.

There is a history associated with the temple where the Goddess is believed to have been installed by Sage Agastya and worshipped by many sages. Kambar, the famed poet who composed Ramayana in Tamil lived here and composed it. He was an ardent devotee of Sri Vana Durga & is believed to have done the Vana Durga mantra japam which bestowed divine knowledge, fame and all the goodness on him. The Goddess covered his house roof with thick paddy stalks (ner-kathir) during torrential rains and hence the place is called Kathiramangalam (Kathir veindha mangalam)

The sanctum sanctorum has a big opening in the top (like a sky light), through which the Goddess is believed to go out and visit the holy city of Kashi every night.

Vanadurga is a special form of Durga - prayers to Her resultsi n the following: One receives the blessings of Van Durga form of Goddess Durga. One gets security and courage. Spiritual power and knowledge increases. Sorrows and obstacles are destroyed

The temple has no dwajasthambam or shoolam, unlike other temples (possible because Durga here is not in ugra/fierce form).

The temple is well maintained and has ample parking. Priest is very friendly. One can offer red arali maala, lemon mala, saree etc to Sri Vana Durga.

People pray and do abhishekam, offering saree, doing chandi homam etc once their prayers are answered.

One should spend minimum of 30 minutes here and pray. Do not engage in chitchat/mobile browsing etc while in the temple. Pray in silence and experience inner peace. Chant any shloka/stotra/mantra of the Presiding Deity. If you are initiated in any mantra of the deity, then sit and do atleast 1 mala japam (108 times).

Dovotees must light at least 1-2 pure cow ghee lamps here in the temple. It is believed that pure cow ghee lamps lit in clay diyas at such potent temples bestow one with all the goodness, ward off the malefic effects of the navagrahas and one's prayers are answered.

Beware of the cow ghee lamps sold in most temples - they may not be real ghee at all. One should use only edible pure cow ghee. Carry it with you if possible (ghee, lamps, wicks, match box and a cleaning cloth etc) - you will save money and have peace of mind about the quality...

The primary deity of the temple is Vana Durga, a manifestation of goddess Durga. The main Idol of the temple is 6 feet high and puja in the temple is held during Raahu Kaalam. On Weekends, worship is offered to Vana Durga from 8:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Legends

Kathiramangalam Vana Durga is one of the Nava (9) Durga temples. The presiding deity is Shri Vana Durga Parameswari Amman. It is believed that she visits Kashi during the nights and comes back every day. The ancient name of the Village is "Siva Malliga Vanam". Special poojas are held during Raahu Kaalam on Sundays at this temple and the goddess is also called Raahu Kaala Durga.

Legend says that when Agasthiyar came to this vanam (forest), he prayed to this goddess. Markandeya also prayed to this goddess. The full name of the village is "Kathir Veaintha Mangalam". The Tamil Poet Kambar lived there for a time andprayed to Durga when he wrote the Ramayana. In all Shaivite temples Durga is one among the Deities., but Kathiramangalam has a separate temple for Durga ialone Here the Durga is in the Padma Peedam whereas in other temples Durga is in Simma or Mahisha Vahanam. The Temple faces east.

Temple Speciality

People whose Birth star sign is Mrigashirsa Nakshatra have to visit Vana Durga Amman Temple - Kathiramangalam in Tamil Nadu twice in a year or at least once in a year. They should stay in the temple or premises for two and half hours. Visit the Temple in your Birth star or Nakshatra i.e. visit the temple on Mrigashirsha Nakshatra.

Marriages are said to be made in heaven. But nowadays marriages are stopped midway during marriage ceremony for unexplainable reasons. For those who are affected like these things, there is a temple for worship. It is called Vana Durga parameswari Thirukovil. It is situated in a place called Kathiramangalam and is situated 15 km from Kumbakonam and 10 km from Suriyanar Kovil in the route of Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai.

The Temple

The Durgai here is faced towards east and is said to be so auspicious. Sage Agasthiar installed this Durgai and sage Mirugandar worshiped this Durgai. Poet Kambar used to pray Vana Durga regularly and once she had covered his house with paddy during heavy rain.

Moolavar: Vana Durga Parameswari

Sthala Theertham: Sivagangai

Sthala Vriksham: Lotus

Note: Above content is copied from Wikipedia to get the best essence &...

Kathiramangalam Vana Durga, also known as Vana Durga Parameshwari Amman, Kathiramangalam Vana Durga is one of the Nava (9) Durga temples. The presiding deity is Shri Vana Durga Parameswari Amman. It is believed that she visits Kashi during the nights and comes back every day. The ancient name of the Village is “Siva Malliga Vanam”. Special poojas are held during Raahu Kaalam on Sundays at this temple and the goddess is also called Raahu Kaala Durga.

Legend says that when Agasthiyar came to this vanam (forest), he prayed to this goddess. Markandeya also prayed to this goddess. The full name of the village is “Kathir Veaintha Mangalam”. The Tamil Poet Kambar lived there for a time andprayed to Durga when he wrote the Ramayana. In all Shaivite temples Durga is one among the Deities., but Kathiramangalam has a separate temple for Durga ialone Here the Durga is in the Padma Peedam whereas in other temples Durga is in Simma or Mahisha Vahanam. The Temple faces east.

Temple Speciality

People whose Birth star sign is Mrigashirsa Nakshatra have to visit Vana Durga Amman Temple - Kathiramangalam in Tamil Nadu twice in a year or at least once in a year. They should stay in the temple or premises for two and half hours. Visit the Temple in your Birth star or Nakshatra i.e. visit the temple on Mrigashirsha Nakshatra.

Marriages are said to be made in heaven. But nowadays marriages are stopped midway during marriage ceremony for unexplainable reasons. For those who are affected like these things, there is a temple for worship. It is called Vana Durga parameswari Thirukovil. It is situated in a place called Kathiramangalam and is situated 15 km from Kumbakonam and 10 km from Suriyanar Kovil in the route of Kumbakonam to...