Mampazhathurai Bhagavathi temple is located near the famous Aryankavu
Ayyappa Temple. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. As per one
story, the shrine is dedicated to Goddess Pushkala. As per another belief the
shrine is dedicated to Goddess Yakshi.
As per one story the Goddess is Pushkala. Ayyappa had
married Pushakal, who belonged to the Saurashtrian community that settled in
Madurai. It is said that once Ayyappa happened to see Pushkala cooking a hunted
deer. As Ayyappa was vegetarian, he was angered by the incident and asked
Pushkala to stay away from the Aryankavu temple premises. In anger, she went
and sat at the spot where the present Mambazha Thurai Bhagavathi temple is
located.
Another story has it that the marriage between Pushkala and
Ayyappa was fixed. But the day before marriage, Pushkala had her monthly
periods. Therefore it was impossible for the marriage ceremony to take place. Ayyappa
saw this as an omen and decided to stay Brahmachari or celibate and he asked Pushkala
to stay at the present Mampazhathurai Bhagavathi temple.
The murti of Mampazhathurai Bhagawathi is in fierce form – Ugra
Swaroopini. She carries Trishul and Kapalam. Some scholars are of the view that
Mampazhathurai Bhagavathi is a yakshi and she had the blessing of Ayyappa and
she protects the region.