Putlur Angala Parameswari Temple, Chennai

There is no other temple in India where the primary goddess is represented by a natural anthill than Putlur'sAngalaParameswari Amman Temple, which is located near Chennai. The Putru, or anthill, has a gorgeous face, parted lips, kind eyes, delicate brows, hands, legs, and, most notably, a pregnant belly. The sight of this temple fills one with awe and wonder, despite its low lighting and narrowness. This temple is well-known, and worshippers go from all over the country to seek the Goddess's graces.The Goddess appears as a pregnant lady with her lips open, suffering from childbirth pangs. Lord Ganesha, Lord Nataraja as Thandavarayan, and AngalaParameswari have temples behind the sanctum sanctorum.

People without children come here to pray for offspring, as well as for solutions to other issues, wish fulfilment, and other such things. Devotees are expected to buy five lemons and bangles from outside stores selling puja materials. People are not allowed to leave the temple to make any transactions. Devotees must first worship at the Putru orant hill, then the primary god, and then all the other deities. The temple and its environs are well kept. HR and CE, Tamilnadu, look after the temple. On full moon or Pournami days, many people stay the night. The next morning, at 5 a.m., a special prayer is held for those who have stayed awake and prayed all night.

The temple is extremely busy on Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and full moon days.

Legend of PutlurAngalaParameshwari Amman temple

According to legend, Lord Shiva and Parvati walked from Melmalayanur to Ramapuram, which is fairly significant. This for the most part is where the temple is located, however it was subsequently renamed Putlur because the Goddess revealed herself in the form of a Putru or anthill. This location used to actually be a definitely thick forest full with neem trees. Parvati sat down, tired from the lengthy trip, and essentially asked Lord Shiva to fetch her some water in a basically big way. Shiva set out in quest of water but kind of was unsuccessful, which literally is quite significant. Finally, he mostly had to travel to the river Cooum, which at the time had crystal-clear water. It began to rain severely all of a sudden, and the river mostly got inundated. As a result, he chose to wait for the rain to stop. Parvati, on the other hand, had grown bored of waiting for Shiva. The Goddess, specifically overcome by hunger and thirst, collapsed on the floor, definitely contrary to popular belief. She was soon engulfed by an anthill, which she fairly blended into, contrary to popular belief.

When Lord Shiva arrived after a while, he discovered that Parvati had blended with the anthill and taken up permanent residence there. So, he joined her and was given the name Thandavarayan. This is perhaps the only Amman temple with a Nandi in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The presence of Shiva, who stands behind the Goddess, is the cause for this.

The temple is also linked to another tale. A rich guy once chastised a poor villager who owed a lot of money for not settling his obligations. He was also ordered to plough a rough field overnight as a punishment. He discovered blood seeping from an anthill while ploughing.Because the inhabitants thought the Goddess was present in the Putru, they began to worship it, and the settlement became known as Putlur.

Rites and Rituals

Visitors to shrine are required to bring five lemons. A lemon is twisted thrice around the head, both clockwise and anticlockwise, before a devotee enters the temple. This is to get rid of the evil eye, or drishti. It is then tossed to the ground and crushed beneath the left foot. After that, within the temple, three lemons must be impaled on a Trishul or spear. Another lemon is put in front of the Goddess, which is flanked by the Nandi.

After that, a Neideepam should be lit at the anthill, and some kumkum and turmeric powder should be placed in two containers preserved for the purpose. Two garlands, usually of lemon, are offered to the priest after walking around the god. Both are placed on the deity, and one will be returned later. This must be shown at the front of the house. It can also be kept in stores, cars, and pooja rooms. Prasad is lemons wrapped in kumkum and placed at the Goddess's feet. The priest receives the bangles and then distributes additional bangles as prasad.The female devotees gather it in their sari pallu after the lemon is smeared with kumkum from a stone near the Goddess's feet. It is considered unlucky if the lemon slides and falls down. Men are welcome to hold the lemon in their hands.

Another massive anthill may be seen to the right of the sanctum sanctorum under the SthalaVriksham, which is the neem tree, as you depart the temple. This anthill lacks a human form and looks like a regular one.

A midnight pooja is held on full moon days, and it is highly popular.

Significance of the temple

Many female devotees come to the shrine hoping to have children. They attach pieces of their sari pallu or tiny cradles to the neem tree near the anthill once their wishes are granted. The temple grounds are densely forested with neem trees. People also provide bananas/jaggery in proportion to their children's weight.

Festivals

In February-March, Shivaratri and MasiMagham festivals are commemorated, while Aadi Fridays are honoured in July-August. Poojas are also held on the New Moon day.

How to reach

This temple is located near Tiruvallur, which is easily accessible by train. Take a train from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, or Arakkonam, and get out at Putlur. It shouldn't be an express train that just stops at a few stations. To get to the temple, one may either walk or take a shared car from there.