Chithra Pournami Festival - Theni

Chitra Pournami Festival at MangalaDevi Kannagi Temple, Theni District The Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple is a well-known religious site located in the beautiful splendour between Theni District, Tamil Nadu and Idukki District, Kerala. The temple is placed in a hill top region through the panoramic view of Western Ghats. The devotees trek a steep but walkable hill road of Cumbum valley. Around 2000 years ago, Cheran Chenguttuvan, the ruler of the ancient Tamilagam, constructed the temple for Kannagi in Vannathiparai, located at a distance of 7 kms from Pazhayankudi, Theni district. He named the temple "Kannagi Kottam or Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple '' and performed auspicious poojas there. History  The main deity in this temple is Kannagi, a historically calm yet fearless Tamil queen who serves as the protagonist in the epic poem ‘Silapathikaram’ written by Illango Adigal. The goddess Kannagi (Kannaki Amman) is adored and praised as a model of chastity. She is admired for her unquestioning commitment to her spouse despite his unfaithful actions. Even now, Kannaki continues to act as a symbol of the moral courage found in a common woman who can challenge the monarchy for justice.  It was alleged that, the Ceylon royal Gajabahu, was one among some of the prominent guests who attended the 'Mangala Devi's' idol installation ceremony. The temple complex is made up of four stone buildings that contain other idols in addition to Mangaladevi. The stone walls have sculptures and the ure of Silapathikaram engraved into them.  Chitra Pournami Festival      Chitra Pournami, is observed as a full moon day, which falls in the Tamil month of Chithirai in between April and May according to the Lunar cycle. The temple is open to the devotees only once a year, during the Chitra Pournami Festival. The Chitra Pournami celebrations (full moon day) are held during the months of April and May, in which priests from Tamil Nadu and Kerala perform rituals and prayers at the temple. The ceremony is believed to bless women with long happy marriages (sumangali) . Many women devotees gather here on this occasion to cook and offer Pongal, a delicious sweet rice dish, to the Goddess Mangala Devi. An panchaloha idol, made up of five metals is brought from Kambam on the eve of this celebration. The district administration of Theni, Tamil Nadu and Idukki, Kerala supervise the preparations for this celebration. Numerous precautions are taken to make sure that the ecosystem is not harmed by the increasing influx of worshippers to the temple.  Every year, during the eve of Chitra Pournami, hundreds of women gather here to worship Goddess Mangala Devi for glory in life and happiness.