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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}<br />
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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}<br />
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The '''Meenkulathi Temple''' is located in [[Pallassena]], a village in southern [[India]].<br />
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==Origins==<br />
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Meenkulathikkavu<ref>[http://meenkulathitemple.in/ Pallassana Pazhayakavu website]</ref> is the oldest temple in Pallasena. Tradition has it that centuries ago three families belonging to the [[Siddhanta Shikhamani|Veerasaiva]] Mannadiar clan worshipped the goddess [[Meenakshi]] as their deity. An acute drought in [[Chidambaram]] ([[Tamil Nadu]]) drove them to seek greener pastures. One of them took a stone from there along with their other possessions. Worshipping their stone as their friend, philosopher and guide, they trekked to several places before reaching Pallasena. Enchanted by the forests surrounding the villages they settled there and prospered in the diamond trade. Whenever they went on business, they offered their customary prayers to the family deity. An aged member of their clan went for his customary bath before leaving on a trip home. He left his valuables and a palm leaf umbrella in the care of two youths. When he came back, he was shocked when he could not lift the things he had left with the youths. An [[Indian astrology|astrologer]] said that Meenakshi had manifested herself under the umbrella and that was why it could not be moved. Huge crowds came there to witness the miracle. The place came to be known as Kudamannu. {{clarify|date=June 2009}} <br />
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The present [[Meenakshi temple]] and the adjacent temple tank were constructed over the next four centuries. A [[Thirumandiram]] was written as a testimony to the event. The Mannadiar clan has grown into 110 manais (veedus) {{clarify|date=June 2009}}. They conduct [[Navarathri]], [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] and [[Bhairava]] festivals.<br />
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==Buildings==<br />
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The structure is built in the [[Kerala]] style. It is constructed in such a way that the shadow of the wall never falls on the ground. There are two entrances, one in the north and the other in the west. The temple tank is next to the western entrance. <br />
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Crossing the ''[[Dwajasthambam]]'' made of [[teakwood]] and covered with [[copper]]. The [[garbhagriha]] contains a large idol of Meenakshi Amman. Devotees are not allowed to wander around the garbhagriha. Around the main idol, the ''[[Matrikas|saptha maathas]]'' (several female deities - [[Brahmani|Brahmi]], Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavai, [[Sachi|Indrani]], [[Chamundi]] and Varahi) are installed. There are separate shrines for [[Ganapathi]], [[Veerabhadra]], [[Durga]], [[Shiva]], [[Bhairava]], [[Brahma]] [[Rakshasas]] and [[Ayyappa]]. In the adjacent hill called Vamala there are shrines for [[Muruga]], [[Ganapathi]], [[Shiva|Siva]], and [[Shasta (deity)|Shasta]].<br />
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==Events==<br />
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[[Navarathri]], Karthigai, [[Mandala]] Vilakku, [[Maasi]] Thiruvizha, Pallivettai and [[Bhairava]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|Pooja]] are the most celebrated events in the temple. The eight-day [[maasi]] festival includes [[Ottamthullal]] and [[Kathakali]] programs depicting scenes from the [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]]. It is customary that the deity's sword and lamp are taken in procession by the descendants of the youths who stood guard over the valuables and the palm leaf umbrella. <br />
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Though the Mannadiar clan is given a privileged place in the activities of the temple, members of the entire community participate in the conduct of the temple festivals. The unique structure of the temple and its mode of worship have gained immense popularity among the natives of the village. Devotees firmly believe that the bath in the tank (known for its abundant fish) rids one of all chronic ailments.<br />
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==See also==<br />
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* [[Temples of Kerala]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
*http://meenkulathitemple.in/<br />
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{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindu temples in Palakkad district]]<br />
[[Category:Bhagavathi temples in Kerala]]</div>->Jaysonsands