Devotional India(TM) is an International E-Spiritual Hub for all Devotees. It’s Masterpiece, a Dream Project which promotes the Sacred Indian Heritage & its sublime glory. God is not bound by any sect, religion or gender. He transcends it all, and is approachable by men of all faiths. This website promotes a vibrant concept about Spirituality & Glory of India. Our Group sends forth the message of Devotion, Love & Sacredness to people from all walks of Life. Our aim is to take our Visitors and Members to an Unforgettable Voyage in this Holy Land of Bharat.
Devotional India(TM) is an International E-Spiritual Hub for all Devotees. It’s Masterpiece, a Dream Project which promotes the Sacred Indian Heritage & its sublime glory. God is not bound by any sect, religion or gender. He transcends it all, and is approachable by men of all faiths. This website promotes a vibrant concept about Spirituality & Glory of India. Our Group sends forth the message of Devotion, Love & Sacredness to people from all walks of Life. Our aim is to take our Visitors and Members to an Unforgettable Voyage in this Holy Land of Bharat.
Devotional India(TM) is an International E-Spiritual Hub for all Devotees. It’s Masterpiece, a Dream Project which promotes the Sacred Indian Heritage & its sublime glory. God is not bound by any sect, religion or gender. He transcends it all, and is approachable by men of all faiths. This website promotes a vibrant concept about Spirituality & Glory of India. Our Group sends forth the message of Devotion, Love & Sacredness to people from all walks of Life. Our aim is to take our Visitors and Members to an Unforgettable Voyage in this Holy Land of Bharat.
The Mangala Devi Temple, also known as Kannagi Temple, is an ancient shrine nestled deep within the Periyar Tiger Reserve near Thekkady (Idukki district, Kerala), close to the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border.
“मंगला देवी केवल नाम नहीं, हर भक्त के जीवन की मंगल कामना हैं।”
― Mangla devi temple
Positioned at an altitude of approximately 1,337 m above sea level, it offers stunning panoramic views of the Western Ghats and adjoining hill villages.
Mythological Significance & History
Kannagi, the legendary heroine of the Tamil epic Silappathikaram, is worshipped here as Mangala Devi, symbolizing moral strength and justice. The temple was believed to be constructed by Chera king Chenguttuvan as homage to her divine transformation. Estimated to be over 1,000 years old, the temple reflects Pandyan-style architecture
Significance of the Temple
The temple is revered for its deep cultural and mythological connections. Kannagi’s transformation into divine power is central to the temple’s spiritual identity. It opens only once a year, on Chitra Pournami (full moon, April–May), drawing priests from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu and thousands of devotees. Married women bring Pongala offerings, and thalis and bangles are blessed — a deeply symbolic ritual
Architecture of the Temple
The temple showcases ancient Pandyan architecture, built with massive granite stones and featuring a layout of four shrines within a prakara (enclosure) with a gopuradwara entrance .
Secondary shrines include Karuppa Swamy, Lord Shiva, and Ganesha. The temple walls and steps remain imposing despite the ruins.
An underground passage—legends say—connects the temple to Madurai or the Pandya palace
How to Reach to Temple
Location
~15 km from Thekkady, ~7 km from Pazhiyankudi (Theni, TN).
By Road
Access via Periyar Tiger Reserve; jeep or forest vehicle required for ~12 km trek.
Rail (Kerala)
Kottayam (~107–125 km).
Rail (TN)
Theni (~63 km).
Air
Madurai (~140 km) or Cochin International Airport (~142–175 km).
Permissions
Prior permission needed from Wildlife Warden, Thekkady
