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| Statue of Vekkali Amman |
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| Temple entrance |
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| Idols on the entrance tower |
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| Sculptures on the tower |
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| Presiding Goddess in the sanctum |
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| Vekkali Amman with golden covering |
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| The painting of Vekkali Amman on the wall |
This Kali temple is in Woraiyur (Uraiyur)in Trichy Dist. just five kms away from Trichy railway station. Woraiyur as the ancient capital of early Chola Kings, was mentioned in Asokan inscriptions dating back to 300 B.C. It was described by Satavahanas in their inscriptions as "the citadel and centre of the Cholas." It was ruled by Karikala Cholan before the first century B.C. and the dynasty was revived by Vijayalaya Cholan in 850 A.D.
Vekkali Amman is regarded as the guardian deity of Woraiyur and was worshipped by early Chola kings before going on war campaign. This north-facing temple bestows victory. She is also regarded as a saviour in difficult times. The sanctum of the goddess is seen without a roof as many failed to construct the roof which is an indication that the goddess does not like to have a roof over her sanctum.
Though the temple has a simple structure with an entrance hall and Garbha Griha, people regard this place as a very powerful and wish-fulfilling pilgrim spot. The Goddess is seen in sitting posture facing northwards. She holds an Akshaya Patra, a trident, a pasha (noose) and a damarukam(hand-drum) in her four hands. Unlike other forms of Shakti idols, Vekkali Amman is seen with her right foot over the demon. This posture indicates kindness, love and affection for her devotees. In this temple rituals are done six times a day and six annual festivals every year.
Abhishekam is done at 5.30 a.m. every day. Annadanam is done to fifty people every
day. During ten-day Chittarai festival (April-May), many devotees take part in
worshipping the goddess. Special poojas are performed in Vaisakha month
(May-June), Panguni month (March-April) and during Navarathri days (September
-October). Friday poojas are done during
the months of Thai (Jan-Feb) and during Aadi (July-August).
According local history, a devotee called Sarma Munivar, the Guru of Chola King, cultivated a flower-garden and used to worship the goddess with the flowers. The king Parantaka Chola forcefully took away the flowers from the garden defying his Guru’s request. Angered at this sinful act, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt the king’s fort and the houses. Frightened by this fire-shower people ran away and took shelter in the open place where the Goddess Vekkali Amman is seen. The Goddess took pity on her suffering devotees and placated Shiva’s wrath by appearing as full-moon. She also saved the pregnant Chola queen who jumped into Kaveri to escape from the fire-showers. Since then, Cholas became ardent devotees of Vekkali Amman. This place was the former capital Chola kings who later shifted their capital to Tanjore. As the people of the region lost their homes in the fire-shower of Shiva’s third eye, the Goddess chose to dwell in a temple without a roof till everyone in the region has a shelter of their own.
During the annual festival everyone having Vekkali Amman as their family deity come here and pray to the Goddess for their family welfare. The temple’s chariot was made of gold in 2010. It is of 9.75 ft. in height and was made of 10.5 kgs of gold and 25 kgs. Of silver. The devotees write their problems on a paper slip and tie it around a trident in temple premises believing that the Goddess will redress their grievances. The temple timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the morning and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in the evening.
The nearby temples are Nachiar Azhagiya Manavala temple
in Woraiyur (One of the Vaishnavite Divya Desams), Jambukeswarar Temple (7.5
kms), Vayalur Murugan temple (10 kms) and Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple (9kms)
nearly. People going to Trichy should not miss visiting this powerful Shakti
Kshetra.
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7th July, 2023 Somaseshu Gutala
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