Goddess keeps lotus eye on devotees’ health

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Mylapore, which is rife with religious activities and houses several temples, has a unique shrine dedicated to a Goddess who is said to cure people affected with eye defects.

This famous temple in Mylapore, Mundakanni Amman koil, attracts large number of women devotees and it wears a festive look all through the year.

The presiding deity — Mundakanni Amman (also known as Mundakakanni) is swayambhu (self-manifest) and is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. The Goddess at this temple, which is about 1,300 years old, manifested at a lotus pond.

“Those set to undergo eye surgery, visit the temple and make an offering to the Amman,” says E. Mohanasundaram, former executive officer of the temple.

“Mundakam means lotus. And since the eyes (kann) of the Goddess here are enchanting and shaped like lotus, She is called Mundakanni,” he says. The street where the temple is located is named after the deity.

Another name for this Goddess is Mariamman. She is seated on Senthamarai (red lotus) enthralling the devotees with her divine smile like goddess Lakshmi, hence, She is called Senthamaraivasini.

She is Omkara roopam incarnate. Mundakanni Amman is endowed with akarshana sakthi and is fond of neem leaves.

Her icon is a trishul and a five-hooded serpent covers Her head as an umbrella.
There are two celestial damsels guarding the sanctum sanctorum.

As the deity prefers residing in a cool atmosphere, vettiver thatti is decorated on the inner walls to keep Her cool.

The temple has images of the Saptha Kanniyas – seven celestial virgins — Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Kaumari, Indirani and Chamundi.

Neem leaves, lime fruits, turmeric and holy water offered to the Goddess during prayer are given as prasadam to devotees.

Aaadi and Thai festivals are celebrated in fervour. On the ninth day of the Navarathiri festival, the Goddess decked as Mahishasuramarthini is taken in procession around the temple.

It is believed that those afflicted by chickenpox get relived and those facing delay in getting married also find the partner.

sivaprasanna@deccanmail.com [2]