Vekkali Amman Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) serves the city. Woraiyur lies within Tiruchirappalli.

Why devotees come here

Vekkali Amman Temple stands in Woraiyur, a neighbourhood of Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Vekkali Amman, a form of Kali. Its sanctum has no roof, which is the temple's major feature.

The people of Woraiyur see Vekkali Amman as their saviour deity in difficult times. Her shrine stands in Woraiyur. Devotees believe the sanctum roof was burnt by the power of Vekkali Amman. In her image, the leg is placed differently from other roofless Shakti temples, where the right leg rests over a demon.

The temple is known from the period of the early Cholas, but no historical records survive. The absence of a roof over the sanctum is the temple's major feature.

The temple chariot is made of gold. It was launched in 2010. The car stands 9.75 feet tall and has been made with 10.5 kg of gold and 25 kg of silver. Large crowds pull the car during the car festival, held in Chittirai.

Festivals

• April to MayChittirai festival

  Large crowds pull the temple car at the car festival, which is held during Chittirai.

• Last Friday of Vaikasi, May to JuneMango ablution

  Held on the last Friday of the Tamil month of Vaikasi.

• Purattasi, September to OctoberNavarathri

  Held at the temple in the Tamil month of Purattasi.

• Fridays in January, February, July and AugustThai Velli and Aadi Velli

  Thai Velli falls on Fridays in January and February. Aadi Velli falls on Fridays in July and August.

• March to AprilPanguni Poochoridal

  A festival at the temple in March and April.

Tips for your visit

• Under the temple's free food initiative, fifty devotees are given food every day.
• Large crowds pull the gold car at the Chittirai car festival, so expect a busy temple then.

Questions people ask