Name: Trichy
Rating: 3.4

Vekkali Amman Temple, Trichy Overview

Vekkali Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Vekkali who is considered as an avatar of Goddess Durga. The temple is located in the village of Woraiyur in Tiruchirapalli in the South-Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Goddess is believed to be an epitome of immense strength, willpower, peace and harmony. As one walks into the temple, they will feel the divine vibe of Vekkali Amman. Devotees visit the glorious temple to offer their prayers, seek blessings and give gratitude for all that the Goddess has provided them with. The shrine of the Goddess is a splendid feature made in gold and silver with a stunning chariot. One can even write their wishes down on a piece of paper and drop it in a box. Many claim their wishes have come true and their faith in the divine power of Vekkali Amman has only increased day by day.

The Vekkali Amman Temple is known to exist in the village from the reign of the Chola Dynasty. Goddess Vekkali is believed to be the guardian of the locals, and the temple is of immense religious importance to the devotees. The Chola kings worshipped the goddess before every campaign to be victorious. Even today, devotees flock to the temple to seek blessings from Vekkali Amman before every important endeavour in their lives.

According to a legend, when the temple was being built, Goddess Vekkali Amman appeared and instructed her devotees not to create a roof on the temple till every human has a shelter for himself. This also signifies that the reach of Vekkali Amman is boundless. The ones continually searching for ways to shatter limiting beliefs must visit this temple at least once.

Legend Of Vekkali Amman Temple

The Vekkali Amman Temple is believed to be built during the Chola Dynasty. The Chola Kings are supposed to be ardent followers and worshippers of Vekkali Amman as she represents immense grace as well as physical and mental strength. The Cholas offered her their prayers before every military campaign to become victorious.

When the temple was being constructed, the Goddess is said to have appeared before the devotees to instruct them never to build a roof on the shrine. The shrine is thus roofless. It is believed that the Vekkali Amman never wanted humans to suffer, but due to certain karmic cycles, humans are bound to suffer. She thus wished to never have a roof on the place of worship till all the human beings have shelter for themselves.

Structure Of Vekkali Amman Temple

The magnificent temple premise has a shrine with the idol of Vekkali Amman at the centre. This shrine is in the shape of a chariot made of gold and silver donated by devotees who were blessed by the miracles of the Goddess. Inside the shrine is an idol of Vekkali Amman where she is seen balancing on one leg with another leg forced on a demon to control his destructive powers. Maintaining this posture apparently requires immense strength and hence the goddess is believed to an epitome of power and strength along with kindness, compassion and grace. The Vekkali Amman Temple faces north which is also believed to be the direction that grants victories.

Festivals Celebrated At Vekkali Amman Temple

Chithirai: This is a ten-day festival, and the temple has ceremonies for these ten days. The festival begins on the day of Hastha Nakshthra and goes on till the day of Chithra Nakshathra during May every year. The main feature of this festival here is the procession of the deities taken out on different vehicles.

Aadi Perukku: This festival is celebrated in between mid-July and mid-August during the Tamil month of Aadi. It is an auspicious day to take a dip in the sacred River Kaveri to wash off sins and offer prayers to the Goddess. Most of the festival is celebrated on the banks of the river, and the Idol of the Goddess is also taken to the banks via a procession. Pooja is carried out around 06:00 PM.

Karthikai: Karthikai is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthikai (between October and November). The temple priests perform the 108 Sank Abhishekam on the last Monday of the month.

Markazhi: This is celebrated in the Tamil Month of Markazhi. The temple priests perform the Nataraja Abhishek followed by a procession to allow the public take darshan of the deities.

Navaratri: Since Goddess Vekkali is an avatar of Goddess Durga, Navaratri is an important festival celebrated here in September-October every year.

Vekkali Amman Temple Pooja Timings

The temple priests follow a weekly, monthly and fortnightly ritual schedule.

Visvaruba Pooja - 5:15 AM
Early Morning Abhishekam - 5:30 AM
Deepa Tharisanam - 6:15 AM
Uchikalam Abhishekam - 12:00 PM
Uchikala Deepa Pooja - 1:00 PM
Mazhai Tharisanam - 6:00 PM
Night Pooja - 9:00 PM
Powrnami Valipadu - Every Powrnami evening

Vekkali Amman Temple Pooja Services and Cost

Thangaratham - INR 1200
Goldcover (Only on Fridays) - INR 750
Abishekam - INR 750
Marriage Ceremony Fees - INR 500
Kaanigai - INR 10
Ticket for Prayer - INR 10
Tharisanam - INR 50
Camera Fees - INR 100
Video Shooting Fees - INR 250

Best Time To Visit Vekkali Amman Temple

The best time to visit Vekkali Amman Temple is between October and March as the weather stays pleasant throughout the day. Also, some important festivals are celebrated during these months that the tourists can witness.

How To Reach Vekkali Amman Temple

The route to Vekkali Amman Temple is very well connected by road within the village of Woraiyur. Buses regularly ply within the village. Tourists can also rent cabs for their convenience and reach the temple via Vathukara Street.