Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple

For other uses, see Mangaladevi Temple.

Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple is one of the oldest temples in India built around 1st century CE and is located in present day border of Theni District of Tamil Nadu and Idukki District of Kerala, about 7 km from Pazhiyankudi in Theni district and 15 km from Thekkady in Idukki.

Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple
மங்களதேவி கண்ணகி கோவில்
Mangaladevi Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Theni - Idukki
Deity	Mangaladevi/ Kannagi
Governing body	Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department
Location
Location	Uthamapalayam, Kumily, Peerumedu
State	Tamil Nadu - Kerala
Country	India
Location in India
Geographic coordinates	9°34′55″N 77°13′59″E
Architecture
Type	Dravidian Architecture
Creator	Cheran Chenguttuvan
Date established	1st-2nd Century CE
Inscriptions	Tamil
Elevation	1,337 m (4,386 ft)

Kannagi is an icon hailed in Tamil Epic Cilappatikaram. Cheran Chenguttuvan, the Tamil king of ancient Chera nadu, had erected the temple for Kannagi around 2000 years back during the Sangam period at Vannathipara and called it "Kannagi Kottam" or Mangaladevi Kannagi temple and performed regular pujas.^[1][2] Entry to the temple is allowed only on one day of the year; Chitra Poornami day. As it is a disputed area, entry to the temple is only in the presence of Theni and Idukki district collectors and police chiefs.^[3][4][5]

A view from Mangaladevi temple premise.

It seems that the temple originally belonged to Theni district as per States reorganization but annexed by Kerala government gradually. Today the temple fully falls within Idukki district border though the dispute still continues.^[6] The Tamil Nadu government has shown intention to retrieve the temple back to their jurisdiction.^[7]

See also

• Mundeshwari Temple
• Murugan Temple, Saluvankuppam

References

1. "Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple, Idukki". Kerala Tourism.
2. Thousands of devotees throng Kannagi temple The Hindu
3. வரலாற்று நோக்கில் மங்கலதேவி கண்ணகி கோட்டம், கவிஞர் இரா. கணபதிராசன் (எ) தமிழாதன், நியூ செஞ்சுரி புக் ஹவுஸ் (பி) லிட், சென்னை (ISBN: 978-93-8897-304-5) மார்ச், 2019, பக் 35, 36, 37.
4. வரலாற்று நோக்கில் மங்கலதேவி கண்ணகி கோட்டம், கவிஞர் இரா. கணபதிராசன் (எ) தமிழாதன், நியூ செஞ்சுரி புக் ஹவுஸ் (பி) லிட், சென்னை (ISBN: 978-93-8897-304-5) மார்ச், 2019, பக் 33.
5. "കൊടുംവനത്തിലെ പുരാതന കണ്ണകി ക്ഷേത്രം; മംഗളാദേവിയിലെ ചിത്രാപൗർണമി മെയ് അഞ്ചിന്". Mathrubhumi. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
6. "Kerala and Tamil Nadu spar over temple dedicated to goddess Kannagi". 30 June 1982.
7. "TN HR&CE to take over Kannagi temple". The Hindu.

External links

• Thousands of devotees throng Kannagi temple The Hindu