Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple
| Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple | |
|---|---|
മംഗളദേവി കണ്ണകി അമ്പലം
மங்களதேவி கண்ணகி கோவில் | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Idukki and Theni |
| Deity | Mangaladevi/Kannagi-Pattini |
| Governing body | Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Kerala |
| Location | |
| Location | Kumily |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
Location in India | |
| Coordinates | 9°35′53″N 77°13′19″E / 9.59806°N 77.22194°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian Architecture |
| Founder | Chenguttuvan (Kerala ruler) |
| Established | 1st-2nd Century CE |
| Inscriptions | Middle Tamil |
| Elevation | 1,337 m (4,386 ft) |
Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple is a Hindu temple located at Mangaladevi, near the present-day border of Theni District (of Tamil Nadu) and Idukki District (Kerala), about 7 km from Pazhiyankudi in Theni District and 15 km from Thekkady in Idukki District. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 1,337 m or about 5,000 feet above sea level (within the Periyar Tiger Reserve on the Western Ghat mountains). The temple is dedicated to goddess Mangaladevi, also known as Kannagi-Pattini. Secondary shrines are dedicated to Karuppa Swamy, lord Shiva and Ganapathy.
The temple is open for worship only during the time of "Chitra Poornami Festival" (in the April/May months). Entry to the temple for worshipers is allowed only on "Chitra Poornami Day" each year. Devotees usually trek to the temple during the "Chitra Poornami Day" every year (private vehicles are prohibited; only taxis with special permissions are allowed, and visitors usually wait in long queues to see the goddess). The number of pilgrims to the temple is estimated to be around 25,000.
The temple is usually open for visitors (in addition to worshipers) also. Visitors require prior permission from the Wildlife Warden at Thekkady.