Sri Shenbahavalli amman Temple

Shenbagavalli Amman Temple situated at the backside of Gandhi Maidhan is the famous temple in Kovilpatti. The town was developed around this temple only. King Shenbaga Vendhan built the temple. Poovanathaswamy, a form of Lord Shiva is also an important deity along with Shenbagavalli Amman. This temple was patronized by several kings who ruled these areas.

Kala tree is the Thala Virutcham or holy tree of this temple and its theertham is Agasthiya Theertham. As the old name of Kovilpatti was Kovipuri, this temple was earlier also known as Kovipuri Temple. Shenbagavalli Poovananathar temple in Kovilpatti is located at 9°10'22.4"N 77°52'09.0"E or 9.172899, 77.869161.

Mother is named Shenbagavalli. Later, the temple was renovated by Ullamudayan belonging to the 10th century. Mother Shenbagavalli Ambal is 7 feet tall gracing her devotees. Though Mother-goddess is in a standing form, Alankarams (dressing) is done as if in a sitting form.

Dravidian architecture:

Dravidian architecture or the South Indian temple style is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent or South India and in Sri Lanka, reaching its final form by the sixteenth century. It is seen in Hindu temples, and the most distinctive difference from north Indian styles is the use of a shorter and more pyramidal tower over the garbhagriha or sanctuary called a vimana, where the north has taller towers, usually bending inwards as they rise, called shikharas. However, for modern visitors to larger temples the dominating feature is the high gopura or gatehouse at the edge of the compound; large temples have several, dwarfing the vimana; these are a much more recent development. There are numerous other distinct features such as the dwarapalakas - twin guardians at the main entrance and the inner sanctum of the temple and goshtams - deities carved in niches on the outer side walls of the garbhagriha.

Greatness of Temple

As in Madurai, the importance goes to Goddess Shenbagavalli in this temple. There are two women securities (Dwarapalakis) in the shrine. While the Alankara (dressing) is done by the form (standing or sitting) of the deity in all temples, in this temple the Alankara is done in a sitting form to the Goddess, though the original form is of a standing one.  The place has the reputation that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here. As two snake leaders Chadugan and Paduman worshipped Lord Shiva here with Poovana flowers, the Lord is named Poovananathar.

Festivals

10 day Vasantha Utsavam (summer festival) during May – June, Goddess Bangle festival – Aadi Pooram in July-August, 10-day Purattasi Navarathri in September – October, 12day Wedding festival, Chithirai – theertham Tamil New Year festival in April – May;  Thiru Karthikai will be celebrated for 10 days, Thiruppalli celebration during Margazhi, Thai Poosam, Maha Shivarathri during Maasi are the important and main festivals in the temple, besides Deepavali, Pongal, and Tamil and English new year days. The crowd in the temple would be huge on the new moon, full moon days, and Pradosham days.