Thousands from Kerala and Tamil Nadu offered worship at the Kannagi temple at Mangaladevi inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Chitrapournami on Monday.
There was heavy rush of devotees, who trekked the 13-km forest path from Kumily to reach the temple, from early morning. A large number of them travelled by foot while trip jeeps conducted services from the Kumily bus stand to the temple. Devotees were issued passes at the Kumily bus stand.
The Theni and Idukki district administrations had jointly made arrangements for the Chitrapournami celebrations.
The temple was opened at 6 a.m. Priests representing the two States led the pujas in Malayalam and Tamil. Entry was allowed from Kumily only until 3 p.m.
As per official estimate, 17,000 people visited the temple on Monday.
On Chitrapournami day last year, 14,000 people had offered worship at the temple.
As many as 52 trip jeeps conducted 865 services to the temple. Police officers and Forest Department officers were deputed at various points in addition to executive magistrates for ensuring law and order.
Devotees were supplied drinking water at various points and non-governmental agencies supplied food close to the temple premises.
Only the stone of the temple believed to be built by ancient Tamilakom King Cheran Chenkuttuvan 2,000 years ago remains there.
Tamil epic
The temple is mentioned in Tamil epic Silappathikaram and according to mythology, Kannagi, who burnt Madurai out of rage against King Pandian Nedumchezhian for the injustice meted out to her husband Kovalan, had walked 14 km to reach Mangaladevi inside the forest. It is believed that Kannagi rejoined with her husband at the spot.
The inscriptions at the temple date back to the Chola dynasty of the 11th century. Devotees are allowed entry to the temple only once a year on Chitrapournami day.
