Angala Parameswari Temple Melmalayanur

Getting there

• By air

  Chennai International Airport is the nearest major airport, about 140 km from Villupuram town.

• By train

  The nearest stations to Gingee are Tindivanam at 28 km, Villupuram at 38 km and Thiruvannamalai at 39 km.

• By road

  Most devotees first reach Avalurpet or Gingee, which connect to the national and state highways. One route from Pondicherry runs through Thindivanam and Gingee.

Why devotees come here

The Sri Angala Parameswari Temple at Melmalayanur, in Gingee taluk of Villupuram district, is the most famous temple of Angalamman. She is worshipped in South Indian villages as a guardian deity. Lakhs of devotees come on new moon days.

Angala Devi is an aspect of Parvati, or Kali, and many South Indian villages worship her as a kaval deivam, a guardian deity. The Melmalayanur temple is the most famous one dedicated to her. She is sometimes shown with four arms holding a trident, a skull, a knife and an utukkai drum.

One legend says Parvati took the form of Angala Amman to help Shiva after he cut off the fifth head of Brahma. The skull, called the Kapala, kept following Shiva. In another telling, Parvati decided to put an end to the Kapala of Brahma.

Angalamman is worshipped especially on new moon and full moon days and at her annual festivals. A common ritual in her name is cleansing with lemons, limes or pumpkins. The site is closely tied to a major yearly festival for her.

Festivals

• Check dates locallyOonjal Utsavam

  The swing festival lasts about 20 minutes, and devotees sing lullabies to the deity as a child.

• YearlyAnnual Angalamman festival

  Earthen images are made on the ground and people take handfuls of the earth. Thirunangai volunteer to be possessed by her and carry a firepot in the procession.

Tips for your visit

• Melmalayanur is 10 km from Avalurpet, 21 km from Gingee, 35 km from Villupuram and 40 km from Thiruvannamalai.
• Expect large crowds on every new moon and full moon day, which are considered auspicious.
• Trustees have said at least 150 buses wait to shuttle devotees on the new moon day festival.
• Chetpet and Arani are among the other nearby towns.

Questions people ask