Thousands throng Mangaladevi Kannagi temple for annual fest

Madurai: Nearly 30,000 people participated in the Mangaladevi Kannagi temple festival on the Tamil Nadu – Kerala border on Saturday. The devotees are allowed to visit the temple only on Chithira Pournami (full moon day) every year. Devotees from Kerala and Tamil Nadu reach the temple on a jeep track from Kumuli while it could be also reached through a shorter trek of 6 to 7km from Cumbum through Parangipatti.
The festivities started from 6am and wound up by 2pm after which the officials sent away all the devotees. Women prepared Pongal and the food was offered to the presiding deity Mangaladevi Kannagi. Mangaladevi Kannagi Trust has arranged food for the devotees.
The temple is believed to have been constructed 2,000 years back by Chera King Senguttuvan in second century CE. Kannagi is the heroine of Tamil epic Silapathikaram penned by Senguttuvan’s sibling Ilango Adigal. The popular belief that Kannagi is a powerful goddess attracts hundreds of devotees from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
For years, the devotees from Tamil Nadu have been pressing the state government to take over the temple alleging that Kerala government is not allowing them to visit the temple situated in the forest area. A signature campaign was also conducted stating that they are going to take up the demand with central and state governments.