Masani Amman Temple, Pollachi - Shakti Devi Temple

At the foot of Anaimalai hills in Pollachi range, there is a temple that is believed to answer the prayers of the devotees in 3 weeks! Nevertheless, this myth is very much popular from the time known and the pilgrims witness the changes they look for, after visiting the temple. Popularly known as the ‘temple of justice’, this Masani Amman temple is at 15 KM from Pollachi town. Legend has its say that the region was ruled by one ‘Nannan’, of bad qualities. He had poor justice towards the people and dominated the place indefinitely. He owned acres of mango trees and did not allow anyone to take off the fruits and appointed guards all around the farm.

One day, a woman bathing in the Aliyar river was attracted by a mango that had fallen from that protected farm. She took and wished to taste it, unfortunately getting into the hands, the officials alleged her as a convict. They took her to the leader and investigated. Though she was not proven for the faults, she was executed. The holy soul later turned violent to kill that guy for all his evils towards the people. People in the clan were very much happy for this freedom and started worshipping the soul as “Masani''. Her graveyard later turned into a worshipping place, giving salvation to the devotees. The presiding deity is about 17 feet from head to foot and is seen reclining, facing up to the sky. Speaking about the position, she is the only of its kind of any Hindu Gods.

The Goddess is shown with four hands, two of which are resting on the ground while the other two are raised above. Devotees write down their wishes on a paper and hand it over to the priest of the temple, hoping for a miracle and rectification of their wrong deeds. Another thrilling reality in the sanctum is the petition offered to the Goddess of Justice called the ‘Neethi Kal’ in Tamil. The practice here is that people come with red chillies grinded and apply it on that holy stone. The ground chilli paste is then spread everywhere throughout the Neethi Kal, with extreme dedication and the petitions are offered for equity. They are blessed with these rituals though. Apart from the divinity, the location of this temple around vegetation and coconut trees will surely take some more time for the visitors to spend.