The Three-headed Goddess of Tirunelveli

Village deities, known as Grama Devatas, Minor deities, or Siru Theivangal, and Guardian deities, referred to as Kaaval Theivangal, go by various names. Listing all the minor deities of Tirunelveli would require a substantial tome, and providing a comprehensive account of each deity would demand nothing less than a small library. Among these, Muppidaththi Amman stands out as a prominent minor deity in Southern Tamil Nadu, particularly within the Tirunelveli region.

Though she is commonly referred to as Muppidaththi or Muppidaari, her original name likely is Muppidari. The Tamil term "Pidari" signifies the nape or the back of the neck, and "Muppidari" translates to "three napes." Given that the Goddess possesses three heads, a more fitting name for her would indeed be Muppidari Amman. In a few places, she is also called Tripura Sundari.

Throughout Tirunelveli, one can discover temples dedicated to Muppidari, ranging in size from modest to substantial. The one located on Pazhaya Pettai Road in Tirunelveli Town enjoys particular popularity, despite its diminutive stature. Muppidari is represented with three heads, symbolizing Saraswati, Parvati (with the middle head), and Lakshmi. Seated and adorned with four arms, she has Vedalam (Betal) as her vahana. On the opposite side of the road, technically considered an extension of this small temple, one can also encounter other village deities, including Brahma Rakshasa, adding to the spiritual richness of the site.

Happy travelling.