Aayiram Kaali Amman Temple

Aayiram Kaali Amman Temple

The Goddess is kept in a wooden box. The legend goes that some centuries ago this box was found on the sea coast of Thirumalairajanpattinam and that a devotee of Senguntha Mudaliyar community residing at Thirumalairajanpattinam had a vision of Goddess commanding him to pick-up the box and offer worship to her. Before the Mudaliyar, a King worshipped for a day and upon the request of Mother Kali, the box was left in the sea itself. Many years they didn't find the box anymore. Sometimes some fishermen have seen the box but if they go nearby, the box will not be available. Inside the box he found the statue of the Goddess and a palm leaf script stipulating that daily pooja should be done with 1000 articles and every offering should be 1000 too. The Sengunda Mudaliyar community decided to perform three days festival conducted in May-June once in five years. The most part of the worship is there should be an ankle bell ring from the box, that is the sign of permission from the deity herself. After opening the box, all those offerings done 5 years ago will be fresh without dry or spoil. The Goddess is very beautiful. During the festival period, more than one lakh people gather to celebrate the festival from various places.

Masi Magam

This annual festival takes place on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Masi. Deities from as many temples in and around Karaikal are brought in ceremonial processions to the seashore for a symbolic immersion ceremony. Thousands of people go to the seashore to have a dip in the sea which is said to wash away one's sins.

The most important deity, which takes part in the festival, is Sowriraja Perumal of Thirukannapuram village in Tamil Nadu area. The saying goes that Sowriraja Perumal married a fishermen community woman and hence the moment the deity enters Tirumalairayan-pattinam village of Tirumalairayanpattinam commune for the festival, the fishermen take charge of the deity and charges are replaced after the festival is completed i.e. after the holy bath. This festival is held with all pomp and glory although it cannot be compared to the degree of celebration in Pondicherry.

Tirumalarajanpattinam is situated at a distance of 6 kilometers to the south of Karaikal municipality.

Thirumalairayanpattinam belongs to Karaikal District in Puducherry. This town is believed to be named after the king who ruled TR Pattinam during ancient days and also the river named out of that king name Tirumalarajanar River which drains into the Bay of Bengal a few kilometers north of the town