The Pachai Malayan temple is in Kapatthampatti, a small village near Jalagandapuram in the Salem district. Pachai Malayan is the Guardian Deity of this village. Villagers worship him as their Saviour, and the deity is usually found along the borders of the villages, watching over the town and its inhabitants and offering them protection.
He is the Kaval Deivam (Guardian Deity) of the village.
Depiction
There are no idols of deities. Only stones are worshipped as Gods and Goddesses in this temple. Apart from Pachai Malayan, there are seven maids: Veerakaaran, Naadar, Veda, Chinnanan (Holding a Bow and Arrow), and Periyannan, holding a spear. Chinnanan and Periyannan are the only two equestrian (associated with riding horses) idols found in the temple.
Speciality
The primary speciality of this temple is the yearly festivals held in May. During this festival, three pots are made. The potter who makes these pots should be highly religious and undergo severe penance before making the pots. The village potters- the Velars, are the caretakers of the Ayyanars.
According to traditional belief, a ritual is followed wherein the rice used to prepare the Pongal (Sweet Pudding) should come from the temple. The village women tie rice in a cloth, write their names on the rice bundles and tie them inside the temple. The women prepare Pongal in thousands of pots on the eve of the festival and serve the entire village.
The Samiyadi(Temple Priest) from Pachai Malayan temple is invited in the evening. Pachai Malayan completely possesses him and is in a trance. He predicts the future of the devotees in this state. Later, the three pots are kept before the deities are filled with water. The festival then comes to an end.
Pachai Malayan is a vegetarian God, and only fruits and vegetables are offered to the deity. But the villagers offer goats as sacrifices to Chinnanan and Periyannan.
Legend
According to legend, the village of Kapatthampatti suffered from severe drought and famine. A few villagers set out to find a solution for their suffering and searched for fertile land. They came across a place called Pachai Malai (Green Hill). There, they found a thatched shed with three pots full of water.
The villagers quenched their thirst for all the water and immediately lost their eyesight. Horrified, they pleaded for forgiveness. A priest, hearing their cries, led them to the village deity. The villagers from Kapatthampatti sought punishment for drinking water without seeking permission from anyone.
Suddenly, they received their vision back. They were overwhelmed and touched by the power of Pachai Malayan and asked the priest to give them their deity. The priest went inside the sanctum and handed them a stone. He asked them to offer worship to the stone with complete faith and devotion and gain prosperity.
Following the priest's advice, the Kapatthampatti villagers worship the stone as Pachai Malayan (The One from the Green Hill) and offer him first respect (Mudhal Mariyadhai). The village of Kapatthampatti soon started to flourish with fertile land and water. The village received immense wealth and prosperity. Pachai Malayan became the Guardian Deity of this village, hence
forth.
Prayers
People offer prayers for fertile lands, water, wealth and prosperity. They also offer prayers for the forgiveness of sins. Pachai Malayan is a fierce deity who is also benevolent and protects the village from natural calamities like famine and drought. He also protects them from evil spirits and resolves all their problems.
Access
Bus
Buses are available from the Salem Main Bus Stand. But one can also hire a taxi or a van from Salem to the temple.
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