Keezh Kaathi Maravar Kali

Keezh Kaathi Maravar Kali

By

P.R.Ramachander

The village of Keezh kaathi is near Aranthangi of Pudukootai district. Once upon a time there were two brothers called Periya Maravar and Chinna Maravar. There was only a Karuppar temple n the village. It was practice for the brothers to share equally the meat of the goat sacrificed at the temple. Once lesser meat was given to Periya Maravar because he had a smaller family. So during the next annual festival Periya The festival of the temple takes place in July-September. During every festival two idols made of Mud is made by the villagers. Many other devotees also bring Mud idols. Till next festival these idols are worshipped. At the festival, the old statues are kept in the back. Since during temple festival there were problems, for the past 70 years no festival has taken place.
One of the major prayers for the Kali is offering her Saris. These Saris are not given to any body either for money or as a gift. All the saris are bundled and put behind the idols. Since Kali temple does no have roof the saris deteriorate. No women/ladies go round the Kali temple. Ladies, who want children, tear a piece of their Sari and tie it on a tree in front of the Kali. Once they get children they replace the sari piece by wooden cradle.
It is a practice to bring money, keep it on the lap of Kali and then take it back. Such money is kept carefully at home. People believe that once such money is present in their homes, they will never suffer for money. After one year that money is given to the Money box of the temple. New money is placed on her lap and taken back.
On the right of the Kali there is a Karuppar. There is also a temple for Adaikalam katha Ayyanar and his two wives. There is also another temple for Big Karuppar and Sall Karuppar.There are also a temple for 12 Ayyanars.
People who seek justice from Kali come to the temple pay Rs 51 to the temple and tell their complaint. The Kurathi Amman who is a subsidiary goddess in the temple asks for explanation. There are also temples Murukku Samban and Muneeswaran.
The temple is crowded on Mondays and Fridays.