Kathiramangalam Vana Durga Temple, Hindu temple in Kathiramangalam, Tamil Nadu, India

Kathiramangalam Vana Durga Temple faces east and holds a six-foot-tall idol of Vana Durga Parameswari Amman, a form of Durga. The black-faced goddess wears a tall carved silver headpiece, a green lower garment with a red scalloped hem, a red chest sash and long garlands; her left hand holds a white curved sword. Behind her a circular silver backplate is framed by red-and-white striped borders with small gold ornaments.

The village was once called Siva Malliga Vanam, and its full name, Kathir Veaintha Mangalam, is tied to the temple's origin. Sage Agasthiyar is said to have installed the Durga here, and Markandeya worshipped her. The Tamil poet Kambar, who lived in the village while writing the Ramayana, prayed to this Durga, and she is believed to travel to Kashi each night and return by day.

The village was once called Siva Malliga Vanam, and the Tamil poet Kambar lived here and prayed to Durga while writing the Ramayana; legend says she once covered his house with paddy during heavy rain. Devotees make archanai with chosen flowers: senthamarai for money, malligai for peace, sevanthi for clearing debts, roja for marriage. The goddess is also called Raahu Kaala Durga, and special poojas are held during Raahu Kaalam on Sundays.

The temple opens from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with puja held during Raahu Kaalam. For an abhishekam, call the priest the previous day so the necessary items are ready. There are no shops nearby, so bring water; a taxi from Mayiladuthurai takes about 25 minutes.

The Tamil name Akasha Durga ("sky Durga") is used for this goddess, and tradition holds that she travels to Kashi at night and returns each day. Devotees with the birth star Mrigashirsha are expected to stay on the temple premises for two and a half hours, ideally on a Mrigashirsha day, at least once a year.