Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple facts for kids

The Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple is the Hindu temple in Karaikal of Pondicherry Union territory, India. It is dedicated to goddess Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the 63 nayanmars of Shaiva. She is one of the renowned goddess in Karaikal.The earliest findings of Carnatic Music poetry were told to be sung by Karaikal Ammaiyar in praise of Lord Shiva in Thiruvalangadu, a village.

History

The temple of Karaikal Ammaiyar was constructed by Malaiperumal Pillai in the year 1929. Malaiperumal Pillai was born in Karaikal in the year 1890 and dead in 1937.The Ammaiyar temple has the sanctums for goddess Karaikal Ammaiyar, Lord Somanathar (Lord Shiva) & Lord Vinayaka.

Important festivals

The mangani (Mango) festival celebrated is the most famous festival in Karaikal.On the month of Aani(June-July), this festival is celebrated every year. This was since Lord Shiva in procession as Bikshatadanamurthi came to the world begging. In Karaikal, Ammaiyar gave him a mango and curd rice. The festival is considered spiritual because it is said that the women participating in the festival and eating the mango thrown, will be given the boon of child.