About this Sacred Grove

Nalluthevanpatti Durgai Amman is worshipped as the fierce protector mother of Nalluthevanpatti village in Madurai District. Durgai Amman is revered as the destroyer of evil and guardian of the village boundaries. According to village legend, during repeated invasions and cattle thefts, a shepherd saw a dazzling woman with eight arms, riding a lion and wielding weapons, chasing away thieves into the forest. She disappeared into a dense Neem and Karuvelam grove on the outskirts. When villagers searched, they found a stone idol of Durgai with vermillion and turmeric smeared on it. A shrine was built there and the grove was declared sacred, where no tree is cut and no footwear is worn. It is believed Durgai Amman patrols the village border at night on her lion, protecting the people from evil eye, disease and enemies, and granting courage, safety and prosperity to devotees who offer lemon garlands and Pongal.

Location

Coordinates: 9.9346930, 77.7732490

Plants / Species (7)