Mangala Devi Temple or Kannagi Temple in Thekkady, Idukki is an ancient shrine located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The temple is hidden in the dense woods of the forest atop a peak 1337 m above sea level. The uniqueness of Mangala Devi Temple is the shrine is open to devotees only on the Chithra Pournami Festival day held during the Malayalam month of Meenam (April – May). Mangala Devi Temple Festival 2015 is on May 4, Monday.
Mangala Devi Temple is believed to be the place where Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram, has transformed to Mangaladevi to shower her blessing upon the people. The temple was built at Vannathi Parai around 2000 years back by Cheran Chenguttuvan, the king of ancient Tamilakam (Tamilnadu). The temple was then known as Kannagi Kottam or Mangaladevi Kannagi temple. Regular pujas were performed at that time.
Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple is around 7 km from Pazhiyankudi in Theni district of Tamil Nadu and 15 km from Thekkadi of Idukki District in Kerala. The peak offers panoramic views of the lush greenery of the eastern slopes of the ghats and nearby villages.
NOTE
Prior permission should be obtained before visiting the shrine. Contact number of Wildlife Warden in Thekkady is +91 4869 322027.
Tourists can visit the place by getting a permission letter from the forest ranger.
How to Reach
Kottayam Railway Station (107 km) in Kerala is the nearest rail station. For people visiting from Tamil Nadu, Theni Railway Station is the nearest, around 63 km.
From Kumili town, devotees can hire Kerala Jeeps to reach the temple, around 12 km ride.
Cochin International Airport is 142 km from the temple.
Mangala Devi Temple is believed to be the place where Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram, has transformed to Mangaladevi to shower her blessing upon the people. The temple was built at Vannathi Parai around 2000 years back by Cheran Chenguttuvan, the king of ancient Tamilakam (Tamilnadu). The temple was then known as Kannagi Kottam or Mangaladevi Kannagi temple. Regular pujas were performed at that time.
Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple is around 7 km from Pazhiyankudi in Theni district of Tamil Nadu and 15 km from Thekkadi of Idukki District in Kerala. The peak offers panoramic views of the lush greenery of the eastern slopes of the ghats and nearby villages.
NOTE
Prior permission should be obtained before visiting the shrine. Contact number of Wildlife Warden in Thekkady is +91 4869 322027.
Tourists can visit the place by getting a permission letter from the forest ranger.
How to Reach
Kottayam Railway Station (107 km) in Kerala is the nearest rail station. For people visiting from Tamil Nadu, Theni Railway Station is the nearest, around 63 km.
From Kumili town, devotees can hire Kerala Jeeps to reach the temple, around 12 km ride.
Cochin International Airport is 142 km from the temple.
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