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Meat offerings to Goddess Parvati in Tamil festival
by P Subramaniyyan

     Periyapalayam (Tamil Nadu): Residents of Periyapalayam village in Tamil Nadu are currently participating in the 14-day-long Amman festival, dedicated to a "meat-eating" Goddess of the same name. Located about 50 kilometres from Chennai, the Amman Temple organises this festival during the auspicious month of Aadi as per the the Tamil calender. Devotees from across over the State stay at the temple for at least a week to offer their prayers. This festival is generally celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays. Periyapalayam's Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's spouse. During this festival, devotees offer meat to the goddess for the fulfillment of their wishes. As a result, thousands of chickens are slaughtered during the event. Some devotees offer their hair to the deity. Males, females, girls and boys get their heads shaved to please the Goddess Parvati. Virgins wrap themselves with neem leaves before going around the temple.They believe all their wishes, including their marriage will be fulfilled by the goddess. "Most of the devotees coming from far away places, stay at night and pray. They wear dresses made of neem trees," said Sivakumar Amul, a devotee. People staying nearby arrive in bullock carts. All devotees stay together and cook a special type of rice called Pongal and eat it as prasadam (a sacred sweet). Periyapalayam has emerged as an important place to visit because of this festival. According to legend, Parvati visited this place to get Lord Shiva as her husband. As she was unsuccessful in her penance, she vowed to remain a virgin. The temple is thus dedicated to Parvati in the form of Devi Kanya, a virgin goddess. The idol has a sparkling diamond on her nose said to outshine the sea. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.
-Aug 7, 2005