Centuries-Old Men-Only Temple Festival Draws Thousands in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal

A unique century-old tradition continues at the Pongalai Amman Temple in Malaiyampatti village near Namagiripet in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, where annual temple festivities are attended exclusively by men. This year's celebrations began on July 26, with special rituals performed for the deity on Monday. As part of the festivities, goats were offered in accordance with local customs, and a community feast was prepared using large quantities of rice and meat. More than 10,000 male devotees are reported to have participated in the annual event.

According to a local legend, the tradition dates back over a century. Villagers believe that a pregnant woman named Pongalai was left without help while walking in heavy rain and, in anger, cursed the village. Since then, it is believed that women do not participate in the temple festival. Devotees also hold the belief that offering prayers at the temple helps remove obstacles related to marriage. The customs continue to be observed by the local community as part of the temple's long-standing cultural heritage.