Start Planning Your Visit
All About the Temple / Cultural & Religious Festivals / Festival Calendar & Festival Alerts / Location Map / Hotel Booking / How to Reach / Air, Train, Bus & Taxi Booking / Visitors’ Reviews & Photos / Nearby Pilgrim Places & Other Places of Interest / Donations / Volunteers / Official Website / YouTube Videos
📍 Location and Overview
The Masaniamman Temple, also called Arulmigu Masani Amman Temple, is located in Anaimalai, near Pollachi in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Nestled close to the confluence of the Aliyar River and the Uppar stream, the temple is one of the most revered shrines of the region. It is popularly known as the “Temple of Justice” (Neethi Kovil), as devotees firmly believe that the goddess ensures fairness and punishes wrongdoers.
🌸 Presiding Deity
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Masani Amman, who is uniquely represented in a reclining posture, unlike the seated or standing forms seen in most temples. The enormous idol of the goddess measures 15–17 feet in length and is adorned with powerful symbolic attributes.
- Four arms of the deity hold:
- A skull
- A snake
- A drum (udukkai)
- A trident (vel)
Her head faces the south, symbolizing protection and removal of negative energies, while her feet point northward. This rare depiction emphasizes her role as a fierce protector and a divine upholder of justice.
🕉️ Legends and Mythology
Several legends surround the origin of this sacred temple:
- The Tale of King Nannan:
Ancient lore narrates that King Nannan of the region forbade the use of mangoes from a particular tree. When a young woman consumed one while bathing in the river, the king ordered her execution. Locals, grieving her unjust death, deified her as Masani Amman, the goddess who rises against injustice. - Connection to Lord Rama:
Another legend holds that Lord Rama himself worshipped or created an image of the goddess here during his exile, which over time evolved into the present shrine.
Both traditions emphasize the goddess’s role as a divine arbitrator of justice and protector of the innocent.
⏱️ Temple Timings
The temple welcomes devotees daily:
- Morning: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Special poojas are performed four times a day – early morning, midday, evening, and late evening – filling the atmosphere with devotional energy.
🌿 Unique Practices and Beliefs
- The Neethi Kal (Stone of Justice):
Within the temple, there is a sacred stone where devotees grind red chillies into a paste and apply it, symbolically seeking punishment for wrongdoers. - Justice through Prayer:
People write grievances or petitions on paper and place them before the goddess, believing that within 19 days, justice will be delivered. - Protection of Motherhood:
Expectant mothers often visit this temple to seek the goddess’s blessings for the safety of their unborn child and smooth delivery.
These customs underline the temple’s image as a guardian of dharma (righteousness).
🎉 Festivals and Celebrations
The temple comes alive during special festivals dedicated to the goddess, particularly:
- Thai Poosam (January/February)
- Panguni Uthiram (March/April)
- Navaratri (September/October)
These events draw thousands of devotees, with grand rituals, processions, and traditional music filling the temple precincts.
🚗 How to Reach
- From Pollachi: The temple is about 15 km away, easily accessible by local buses, taxis, or private vehicles.
- From Coimbatore: Located approximately 50 km away, it takes around 1.5 hours by road.
- Nearest Railway Station: Pollachi Junction.
- Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (about 60 km).
The temple is surrounded by scenic landscapes, including the Anaimalai Hills, making the journey both spiritual and refreshing.
🙏 Significance for Devotees
The Masaniamman Temple is not merely a place of worship but a symbol of hope for the oppressed and the wronged. The goddess is revered as a divine judge who ensures that truth prevails, and justice is served. Generations of devotees have carried testimonies of relief, protection, and fairness, reinforcing the temple’s reputation as one of Tamil Nadu’s most powerful shrines.
✨ The Masaniamman Temple at Anaimalai thus stands as a shining reminder that divine justice is ever-present, ensuring protection for the innocent and punishment for the guilty