Thayamangalam

History

Three hundred years ago, farmers of Ramnad region have traded their crops in the Capital city of Pandya kingdom called Maduraiyampathi. Muthuchettiar is one of the prominent trader and famous for his probity. He used to worship Meenakshi and Chokkanathar on his return to his native. Even though he was rich, he had no children and the family was worried over this.

One day while returning from Maduraiyampathi, he found a three-year-old girl baby crying isolated in Chinnamannur. He embraced the child and since there is no one nearby, he felt that God has blessed him with this child and he decided to take care of the child.

On his way, he found a river and wished to take bath in it. He left the child on the banks of river and went for bathing. He was shocked to see the child missing on his return. He searched everywhere and unable to find the child. He returned home and explained her wife about the happenings. The couple did not eat out of mental depression and both went on sleep. The child appeared in his dream and informed that it is staying in the cactus forest and asked him to make an idol of it and to worship regularly. As Muthuchettiar carried the child on his shoulders, the child directed to combine his name along with the name of the Goddess, hence the idol of the Goddess was named as "Muthumaari". People made the idol of Goddess using the sand from the riverside where the child was found and built a thatch-roofed tiny temple.

It is believed that people will be provided with all the wealth by worshiping this Goddess. The temple hall was built by collecting donation from the rich people and foreigners. The black stone statue of the Goddess and the temple was built in 1914 .

The successors of Muthuchettiar were maintaining the temple for the past seven generations. A successor Mr. N.A. Muthupal Chettiar was appointed with effect from 1-12-1967 and continuing his tenure till 3-4-2001 under the act 1180/68, ordered by Hindu Religious Endowment Board and Madurai Assistant Commissioner. As he died on 4-4-2001, his son Mr. M. Venkatesan chettiar was appointed as a hereditary Trustee by the Hindu Religious Endowment Board. During the year 1934, This temple was announced as Exempted Temple by the Chennai board of Commissioner under the order 2286(a.O. 327/34) dated September 19.

Panguni festival

Saint Thirugnanasambandhar was invited to Madurai by Queen Pandimadevi Mangayarkarasi for the prosperity of Saivam religion. Saint Appar said that as the day of Sambandar's visit falls on star of Bharani and it is auspicious for travelling. Bharani is also the best time for Conducting homam and setting up brick kiln etc. as this day is suitable for Agni (fire). He started his travel after worshiping God and Goddess by singing Kolaru Padhipaggam. He fought for the freedom of Saivam against the Jainism. Based on the belief in the concept that "each day is a good day", he did Navasakthi Homam and Vinayaka Pooja on the 15th day of Panguni and celebrated 10 days festival from the 16th day of Panguni at Thayamangalam. Pongal festival is being celebrated on the 7th day ( 22nd day of Panguni), Milk pot festival and Flower Pallakku on the Panguni 23rd day. The festival will be completed on 25th day of Panguni after celebrating Devasthana Theertha vari function.a

Archana is performed at the same time for Moolavar and Urchavar in different locations. This is a speciality in this shrine.