Poyyalamman Temple

The Poyyalamman Temple is located in Avudayarkoi and is dedicated to Poyyalamman. Okkur is a small place, 8 kilometers away from Avudayarkoil. The Poyyalamman temple is said to have been built centuries ago. About 250 families residing in Okkur, Maravanendal, Peravalal, Thachamalli, Narikudi, Althivayal worship Poyyalamman as their family deity. Poyyalamman is unshakably believed to be as the only gynecologist attending to pregnant women of this region. Pregnant women come to Okkur a month in advance of the expected time of the delivery. During their pregnancy, they never go to any doctor. The sacred ashes given in the temple is the only medicine they use. When the labour pain starts, the woman is brought to the open space in the temple and left alone. All her people simply come out closing the doors of the temple. The Goddess attends to the woman. After the delivery, the mother does all that is necessary as cleaning herself, bathing the child, and the like. After delivery, the mother and child come to a hut built for their stay. They stay there for nine days all alone, rain or shine. From day two, a married woman from the Pujari's house visits the mother and child for giving food. Only after nine days, her husband, parents of the woman and her husband and other relatives can see her and the child. All these days, the Goddess herself takes care of the mother and child. The faith is unshakeable.