Bhoomanur Velankanni Madha Temple
Bhoomanur Velankanni Madha sacred grove in Salem District dedicated to Velankanni Madha (Our Lady of Health) as healing mother and protector of fishermen and farmers.
About this Sacred Grove
Bhoomanur Velankanni Madha sacred grove in Salem District dedicated to Velankanni Madha (Our Lady of Health) as healing mother and protector of fishermen and farmers. Legend says Velankanni Madha appeared as light to lost cattle grazers when evil forest spirit blocked paths, led them out and vanquished spirit, declaring site as Her healing grove. Absolute ban on felling trees inside RF patch. Has natural spring channel and temple tank connected to RF as water source. Biodiversity inside Reserved Forest patch is dry deciduous reserve with neem, thorny scrub, medicinal undergrowth hosting spotted deer, wild boar, jungle cats, peafowl and reptiles, protected jointly by Forest Dept and Madha devotees with annual feast festival.
Location
Coordinates: 11.7843800, 77.7229210
Open in Google Maps ↗Plants / Species (9)
Ceylon satinwood
Chloroxylon swietenia DC.- Individual Count
- 18
Gulmohar
Delonix regia (Boj. ex Hook.) Raf.- Individual Count
- 2
Hop bush
Dodonaea viscosa Jacq- Individual Count
- 78
Neem
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.- Individual Count
- 0
Oil cake tree
Albizia amara (Roxb.) B. Boivin- Individual Count
- 14
Pala indigo plant
Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R.Br., Mem. Wern. Soc.- Individual Count
- 4
Palm
Borassus flabellifer L.- Individual Count
- 1
Pongam
Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi- Individual Count
- 9
Tanner's cassia
Senna auriculata (L) Roxb.- Individual Count
- 9