Anna Kamatchi Amman temple at Omandur

Anna Kamatchi Amman temple at Omandur near Trichy, nearly 30 km from Trichy is the Omandur village where lies the Arulmigu Anna Kamatchi Amman temple. This is an ancient temple where the deities are workshipped in the form of lightemitted from oil lamps instead of the Sculptures found in other Hindu temples. Apart from Anna Kamatchi Amman, Masi Perianna swamy and Yegambareswarar are the other important deities workhipped in this temple. There are pathivugal (workshipping places) for other deities as well. This temple is famous for Maha Shivarathri pujaas. The temple will be opened only on Mondays and Fridays and Pujaas will be held between 11.00AM and 3.00PM on these days.

On the occasion of Maha sivarathri, soothsayers and exorcists of various hues and from far-flung areas congregate at the Kamakshiamman and the Periannasamy temples at Omandur, 30 km from Tiruchirappalli. Hundreds of poojaris, both men and women, took their appointed places in the temple complex 'driving' away evil spirits, that 'possessed' women by reciting verses and playing percussion instrument 'udukkai' simultaneously.

Besides, hundreds of devotees throng the temple. But they are out numbered by curious onlookers who took the trouble of visiting the place, trucked away in a corner of the district, braving the mad rush in all buses specially run for the purpose. Apart from playing the 'udukkai', the poojaris also rolled out a set of dozen small white 'sozhis' and interpreted the meaning according to the number of 'sozhis' cast open. For relating the 'kuri' or soothsaying, the charges varied from Rs. 27.25 to Rs.110.25. If you are 'deeply possessed' and need urgent remedial measures, the charges go up accordingly. Regardless of the case, all beneficiaries need to offer betel leaves and arica nut to the poojaris prior to soothsaying.

Masi kundru ( hillock)in kolli hills ; puliyancholai kallathukombai and Vairichetti palayam are also associated with this temple and the jothi (lamp ) is worshipped as main deity here.