Arrangements made to take pilgrims to Kannagi temple

Madurai: Special arrangements have been made to take pilgrims through the forest region from Kumili to the Mangaladevi temple in the reserved forest area on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala boundary. Devotees will be prohibited from carrying plastics.
Every year, pilgrims are allowed to visit this temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kannagi, only on Chittira pournami.Thousands of devotees from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala visit the temple that is situated at a height of 5,000 feet above the sea level
Legend has it the temple was constructed on the spot where Kannagi, the central character in the famous Tamil epic Silapathigaram, came after she burnt ancient Madurai to ashes in retaliation for the beheading of her husband Kovalan on false charges.
The original temple for Kannagi, also known as Mangaladevi, is said to have been constructed by Chera King Cheran Senguttuvan about 2000 years ago and is said to be among the oldest temples of south India.
After the structure became dilapidated, the famous Chola monarch Raja Raja Cholan constructed the present structure about 1000 years ago.
Pilgrims will be allowed to visit the temple from 5 a.m to 3 p.m on Friday. Special buses will be operated from Cumbum and Gudalur to Paliyankudi. Mini buses will also to operated. From Palayinkudi, it will be a trek or drive of 6.6 km. Jeeps will ply from Kumili to the temple for a distance of 14 km.
Sources said only 5-litre water cans will be allowed and plastics in any other form will be prohibited.