Story of Mathura Kaliamman Temple
Legend has it that Kanngai’s husband Kovalan was falsely
accused of stealing and he was beheaded by the Mathura King. Kannagi in anger
is believed to have burnt the Madurai city and
arrived at the village where the present Mathura Kaliamman
Temple is located.
Here there was a temple dedicated to Selliamman but she was
under the control of an evil magician. Kannagi invokes Mathurai Kali Amman her
family deity. She helps her in killing the magician.
Selliamman then asked Kannagi to stay in the temple as
Mathura Kali Amman. Selliamman went to nearby Periasamy Hills.
Kannagi agreed to stay in temple but she said she will give
darshan to devotees only on Monday and Friday, rest of the days she will be
staying at Periasamy Hills with Selliamman.
It is also said that Mother Goddess Shakti gave darshan to
Adi Shankaracharya here. Siddhars have worshipped Goddess Kali here. A Sri
Chakra was also installed here by Sadashiva Brahamendrar.
The important festivals in the temple are Aadi Perukku,
Navratri, Diwali, Tuesdays and Fridays in Puratassi Month and Karthigai
Tirunal. The most important temple festival is held on the first Tuesday after
No moon day (Amavasya) in the month of Chithirai.
Another interesting legend associated with the temple is
that five rishis used to offer prayers to Goddess Kali on the foothills of
Madhira Mali .
Goddess Kali was impressed by their austerities and appeared before them. The
Rishis asked Goddess Kali to make her abode near a tree. The tree had honey
combs and honey used to fall on Goddess Kali. As the Goddess Kali murti was
covered with honey she came to be known as Mathura Kaliamman
Temple .
The temple is open to public only on Monday and Friday.
Location – Siruvachur is located on the Trichy – Chennai
highway. The temple is around 42 km from Trichy.