Valupur goddess who cures epilepsy
Located in the western part of Tamil Nadu, Kongunadu has its own unique history, tradition, art and culture. Pongalur is one of the 24 divisions of Kongu country. Valuppur Amman Temple is located in Semalai Goundampalayam under Alakmalai Panchayat near Alakmalai village called Vanavan Cheri in Pongalur nadu. It is found in the inscriptions that this temple was called ‘Bhadrakaliyamman’ temple in earlier times and ‘Valupuramman temple’ during the reign of Vikramadittha Chola king.
Maikkuzali, the daughter of the Chola king Vikramaditya, had epilepsy. Even after receiving treatment from many doctors, including the palace doctors, the disease did not go away. The king consulted the court witnesses about this. Then, ‘this disease can be cured only by the grace of God. It was revealed that if one goes to the temple in Perur, which is called Chidambaram in the upper part of the Kongu country, the disease will be cured. Following this, King Vikramaditya along with his ministers took his daughter maikkuzali and left for the west. One night on the way, the king stayed with his entourage at Vanavanseri.
That night, Bhadrakaliyamman appeared in the king’s dream and said ‘Vedgovan is a priest in Kandankanni. She disappeared saying that he will cure your daughter’s illness. After that the king called his guards and ordered to bring the priest Vedgovan. They also searched and brought Vedkovan.
Vedkovan asked ‘What is the way to cure this disease?’ asked the king. To that, Vedgovan said, “Princess Maikkuzhali should be taken to Bhadrakaliamman temple and there the princess should light a curtain in front of her and light a lamp and make a picture of the silhouette in the sand to diagnose epilepsy.
Arrangements were made accordingly. On doing so, Princess Maikuzhali was found to have seizures in 32 places on her body. This was followed by a heated iron rod placed over the silhouette of the princess. After that, the princess was completely cured of epilepsy.
King Vikramaditan, who was pleased with this, donated 6 villages to the priest Vedgovan. Ithala Bhadrakaliamman is known as ‘Valuppooramman’ because of his cure of epilepsy. This event, which is known to have taken place about 400 years ago, is found on a copper plate which helps us to know the history of our ancient times.
The temple consists of Moolasthan, Ardhamandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mun Mandapam. In Moolasthana, Valup Puramman, in Artha Mandapam Utsavamurthy, old Vinayaka, in Mahamandapam Kannimar, Vinayaka and Nagar are seated facing east. Parivara deities are also inside it.
Valupur Amman Temple has a heavy influx of devotees during Amavasai and Full Moon. Devotees wear chevvarali flower which is auspicious to goddess Valuppur. A week before Thaipusam, a festival and chariot procession is held in this temple. The Utsavamurthy is taken in a procession from the temple and placed on a chariot parked in front of the Alakamalai Kailasanathar Temple and pujas are performed. A Chariot will also be conducted around Kailasanathar Temple.
The temple is about 3 kilometers from the Thayampalayam section of the Coimbatore-Tiruchirappalli highway towards the north. Here the walk opens at 6 in the morning and the puja is held till 8 at night. From Tirupur, Perundozhuvu should come to Aan Kovil via Alakmalai. From there take a left turn and take the Thar Road to reach Valupur Amman Temple.