Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple

Legend has it that Kannagi, the heroine of the Tamil epic poem "Cilappatikaram", traveled to this exact location after burning the Pandya capital, Madurai, and stayed here for 14 days.

The temple is generally believed to have been consecrated around the 1st/2nd century CE and is dedicated to Kannagi. According to tradition, Chenguttuvan (fl. c.180 CE{{Cite book |last=Subbarayalu |first=Y. |url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-concise-history-of-south-india-9780198099772 |title=A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |editor-last=Karashima |editor-first=Noburu |location=New Delhi |publication-date= |pages=49-50 |chapter=Early Tamil Polity}} ), the ruler of the early historic Chera Kingdom, dedicated the temple to Goddess Kannagi around 2,000 years ago (during the "Sangam period" or early historic period, at a location called "Vannathipara"). He apparently named it "Kannagi Kottam" or "Mangaladevi Kannagi Temple" and (personally) also performed regular worship there.{{cite web |title=Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple, Idukki |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/temples/idukki/mangala-devi-kannagi-temple |website=Kerala Tourism |publisher=Government of Kerala}}

Chitra Poornami Festival is usually organized by Kannagi Trust, Tamil Nadu and Ganapathy-Bhagavathy Trust, Kumily.

• Special pujas usually continue from 6 am to 4 pm.
• Inaugurating with special "pujas" and "aradhanas" to the Kannagi idol (the decorated idol of the goddess is usually covered with sandalwood and turmeric paste) in the morning.
• Both Brahmins from Kerala ("Namboodhiris") and Tamil pujaris performed pujas to the goddess jointly.
• Priests from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala states were present in all "sannadhis".
• On Chitra Poornami day, priests from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala perform puja in two different shrines.

The temple is now located in a disputed area between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and entry is allowed only in the presence of the Theni and Idukki District Collectors and district police chiefs (in addition to state police officers and forest officials).{{Cite book |last=Tamilathan |first=Ira. Ganapathirasan |title=Varalāṟṟu Nōkkil Maṅkalatēvi Kaṇṇaki Kōṭṭam |date=2019 |publisher=New Century Book House |isbn=978-93-8897-304-5 |publication-place=Madras |pages=33-37}}{{Cite news |date=18 April 2023 |title=Kodumvanathile Purathana Kannaki Kshethram; Mangaladeviyile Chithrapournami May Anjinu |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/destination/mangaladevi-temple-chithrapournami-periyar-tiger-reserve-1.8487875 |work=Mathrubhumi |location=Kerala}} District administrations (with support of the festival organizers) usually plan elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the worship (such as a heavy show of force, the use of bamboo barricades and metal detectors, food and water distribution systems, etc.). File:Mangaladevi, Thekkady Forest.JPG

It seems that the temple originally belonged to Theni District, Tamil Nadu, as per States Reorganisation Act, 1956 but was gradually annexed by Kerala Government. Today, the temple falls entirely within Idukki District, though the dispute continues.

The Tamil Nadu government has expressed its intention to bring the temple back under its jurisdiction (under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department).{{Cite news |date=7 December 2022 |title=Kannagi Temple at Theni to Come Under HR&CE Department |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/kannagi-temple-to-come-under-hr-and-ce-administration/article66230482.ece |work=The Hindu}}

• Mundeshwari Temple
• Murugan Temple, Saluvankuppam

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{{commons category|Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple}}

• {{Cite news |date=19 April 2011 |title=Thousands of Devotees Throng Kannagi Temple |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105110606/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/19/stories/2011041956890500.htm |work=The Hindu |location=Theni}}

Category:Hindu temples in Theni district

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