Goddess Masani Amman is a popular deity worshipped in
certain regions in South India. Story and
history of Goddess Masani Amman is one of repression and people rising against a tyrant ruler. Legend has it that during
the Sangam Era, a cruel ruler named Nannan ruled over Anaimalai which was then
known as Nannanur.
The ruler had large mango plantation and had appointed
guards to protect them. He had proclaimed that he would kill any person who
trespassed into the mango plantation.
A young woman was once bathing in the River Aliyar and
happened to see a mango floating in the water. She grabbed it. This was noticed
by the guards who took her into custody and produced before the king.
The father of the young girl offered to give the king a
golden mango. But the king did not relent. The father then offered an image
made of gold equal to the weight of her daughter by way of compensation
together with 81 elephants. This also was not acceptable to the ruler.
The king ordered her to be beheaded.
People of the region who came to know about the incident
took up arms against the king and killed him.
The body of the young woman was buried. An image of her was
made and people started worshipping it every Thursday and Friday. Soon a temple
was built for the women, commemorating her martyrdom and she came to be known
as Goddess Masani Amman.
Origin Of Name Masani Amman And Bhagavan Sri Rama
The murti of Masani Amman also has a connection with Bhagavan Sri Rama. Bhagavan
Rama on his way to rescue Sita in Lanka made a murti of Masani Amman using mud
from a crematorium in the reclining posture and worshipped her.
As the goddess was in a reclining position in a crematorium, she came to be
addressed as Mayana (crematorium) Sayana (reclining posture). With the passage
of time the word evolved to become Masani. Hence, she came to be hailed by the
people as Masani Amman.
Goddess Masani Amman temple is located at Anaimalai near
Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.
Masani Amman temple is more than 1000 years old. The upa devatas worshipped
in the temple are Pechi amman, Maa Durga, Goddess Mahishasura Mardini, Saptha Kannikas,
Maha Ganapathi, Karupparayar, Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and Bhairava in the
prakara. Maha Muniappan is worshipped in front of the Goddess in the main
sanctum.
The murti of Masani Amman is 17 feet long in a reclining posture with her
head at the south, looking upwards. The hands of the goddess hold a
skull, serpent, trident and an udukkai.
It is auspicious to worship goddess Masani Amman on New Moon days,
Tuesdays and Fridays. Apart from this, devotees devoutly take part in
the annual festival, which is celebrated grandly and which falls between
the months of January and February.
