Shri Esakki Amman Temple, Muppandal — Attraction in Thovalai

Moolavar : Shri Esakki Amman Some of the salient features of this temple are….. This Muppandal has Shri Esakki Amman Temple, a big size Stucco image of Esakki Amman open to sky and Avvaiyaramman temple with 3 mandapas. The Esakki Amman temple faces north with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam is in-front of the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum and Esakki Amman is in a sitting posture holding Trishul and kapala. In koshtam Prithyangira Devi, Vishnu Durgai and Vaishnavi. In praharam Valampuri Vinayagar, Avvaiyar Amman, Bala Murugan, Sudalai madan and Pattavaraiyan. Neelan (believed as the brother of Esakki Amman) is in a separate sannidhi and devotees believed that Neelan was the incarnation of Maha Vishnu. The stucco image of Esakki Amman is on the right side of the temple. The image is about 25 feet high. AVVAIYARAMMAN TEMPLE WITH MANDAPAS A small sannidhi of Avvaiyar Amman is in the premises of the Esakki Amman Temple. In addition to this sannidhi there is a separate temple dedicated to Avvaiyar Amman. This temple is about 100 meters from Esakki Amman Temple. This temple faces east. The Avvaiyar Amman is also in a sitting posture. The sanctum sanctorum is with a vimanam. There are two mandapas (originally 3 mandapas) near this temple. It is believed that these mandapas / pandal are meant for the three Kings, Chera, Chozha and Pandya Kings from there they meet Avvaiyar, the sangam period poet and she removed their differences between them. Hence this place is called as Muppandal. ARCHITECTURE The whole temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. A 2 tier vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS It is believed that the original temple belongs to 500 years old. The present structure may be constructed in 20th century. LEGENDS As per the legend, Esakki was the daughter of a wealthy woman of Palavoor. A young man wanted to get all the wealth. So he acted like a lover with Esakki and asked her to come along with her mother’s Jewells and the money to go somewhere and marry her. Believed the young man’s words, Esakki, went along with him. In the middle of the forest, the young man took all her Jewells and killed her, by dropping a stone on her head. On the way the young man also died due to snake bite. When both of them reached celestial abode of Shiva, Esakki requested Shiva for a boon of killing the Young man by her own hand. Shiva granted her the boon and gave life to the Young man also. They took rebirth at Palavoor. Esakki converts the cactus in to a child and went to the Young man’s house and told that he was the father of the Child. When he denied, the case came to the Village Sabha. There also the young man told the same. Esakki let the child towards him. The Child went to the Young man and called him as father. The Sabha decided to lock both of them in a room, to settle between themselves. Waiting for this chance, Esakki, killed the young man with her own hands. With the anger not reduced, Esakki came to Muppandal. On seeing Esakki, Avvaiyar consoled her, made calm and advised her to stay at this place as a guarding deity of Muppandal. Ma Parvati also blessed her as the guarding deity...

Muppandal Esakki Amman Temple, set along the Kanniyakumari-Thirunelveli National Highway, is steeped in rich history and captivating lore. Nestled 15 km from Nagarkoil, between Aralvaymozhi and Kavalkinaru, the place, known as Muppandal, is historically significant. It was here the Chera, Chozha, and Pandya kings once convened under the guidance of the revered poet Avvaiyar.

The tale of Esakki, a dancer from Palavoor, and her tragic love story that later transformed her into a deity is both haunting and inspiring. It's a narrative of betrayal, spiritual retribution, and ultimately, redemption. The temple not only pays homage to Esakki Amman but also houses shrines dedicated to Poet Avvaiyar, Valampuri Ganesha, Balamurugan, and Esakki’s brother, believed to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu.

Adjacent to this temple is another, where "Aadhi Esakki Amman" is revered, with Sudalai Maada Swami standing guard. Visit timings are generally 06:30 AM-12:30 PM and 04:00 PM-08:00 PM, but it's advisable to check ahead for any changes. A spiritual sojourn to this temple promises not just divine blessings but also a deep dive into the region's cultural tapestry. Highly recommended for both devotees and history...

The most sought after temple for natives and travellers who pass through the highway. Located near kavalkinaru at aruvalmozhi, surrounded by windmills and in a countryside rural setting this beautiful temple once visited gives us such a divine experience as the deity here by its appearance and vitality and radiance felt us a peace of mind and get rid of our miseries and attain us all strength to advance. By belief the goddess is very powerful and so hundreds throng here daily for their vows. The priests at all time can be seen performing archanas and offerings for each devotees in a glorified form. Apart from daily poojas, annual rituals and festivals are conducted in this temple with much fan fare. A new bypass have been built and so those who are coming from nagercoil side, if wish to have darshan in this temple have to take diversion and travel along the road opposite hotel neelakanta at thazhakudi to reach muppanthal temple, and from their can enter the...