About Masani Amman Temple
The Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple is at Anaimalai, about 24 km south-west of Pollachi in Coimbatore district, near the meeting point of the Aliyar river and the Uppar stream and in sight of the Anaimalai hills. The goddess Masani Amman is worshipped as a form of Adi Parashakti and is the family deity of many households in western Tamil Nadu. She is believed to cure illness, protect against harm and deliver justice to those who have been wronged.
A local tradition, echoed in old Tamil poetry, tells of a cruel ruler named Nannan who guarded his mango grove so jealously that he had a young woman put to death for eating a fallen mango. The people were outraged, the ruler was later defeated, and the villagers built a shrine to honour the innocent woman, who came to be worshipped as a goddess. Her name is explained in different ways, from an old word linked with the mango to a word for the cremation ground. Over time she came to be revered as a form of the great Mother, related to goddesses such as Mariamman.
The most striking feature of the temple is the image of the goddess lying down, about 15 feet long, with her four hands holding a drum entwined with a snake, a fire bowl, a bowl of kumkum and a trident. In front of the sanctum stands a trident around which devotees walk in prayer for healing. Nearby is the Neethi Kal, or Stone of Justice, where people who feel wronged grind dried red chillies into a paste and smear it on the stone, praying for a fair outcome. The complex also has a shrine of Mahamuniappan.
Masani Amman Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with a short break in the afternoon on some days. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Morning puja | Around 6:00 AM (approx.) |
| Uchikala puja | Around noon (approx.) |
| Evening puja | Around sunset (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Masani Amman Temple
By air
Coimbatore International Airport is about 65 km away.
By train
Pollachi Junction is about 22 km away; Coimbatore Junction is about 65 km away.
By road
Town buses run frequently from Pollachi to Anaimalai. The temple is on the way to Aliyar and Topslip.
Festivals at Masani Amman Temple
- Kundam (fire-walking) festivalJan/Feb
- Aadi FridaysJul/Aug
- NavaratriSep/Oct
- Tamil New YearApr
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional clothing is recommended. Remove footwear before entering.
- Entry
- Free darshan; special darshan tickets may be available on busy days.
- Tuesdays, Fridays and new-moon days are very crowded; weekday mornings are calmer.
- Chilli paste for the Neethi Kal is sold near the temple; wash your hands well afterwards.
- Combine the visit with Aliyar Dam or Topslip, but start early for the hill areas.
- Keep footwear at the counters outside the temple.
Places to visit near Masani Amman Temple
- PollachiMarket town of the region, about 24 km away
- Aliyar DamReservoir and park below the Anaimalai hills, about 20 km away
- Monkey FallsWaterfall on the road to Valparai, about 25 km away
- Topslip (Anamalai Tiger Reserve)Forest reserve with safaris, about 30 km away
Frequently asked questions
Why is Masani Amman worshipped lying down?
The goddess is shown in a reclining posture, linked by tradition to the legend of the innocent woman who was put to death and later deified.
What is the Neethi Kal at Masani Amman temple?
It is the Stone of Justice, where devotees who feel wronged grind red chillies and apply the paste, praying for justice.
How to reach Masani Amman temple?
Anaimalai is about 24 km from Pollachi by road, with frequent buses; Coimbatore airport is about 65 km away.
When is the Masani Amman Kundam festival?
The fire-walking festival is usually held in the Tamil month of Thai, in January or February.
What is the aarti time at Masani Amman Temple?
Morning puja: Around 6:00 AM (approx.); Uchikala puja: Around noon (approx.); Evening puja: Around sunset (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
What are the Masani Amman Temple timings?
Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with a short break in the afternoon on some days. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
Is there a dress code at Masani Amman Temple?
Modest traditional clothing is recommended. Remove footwear before entering.
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