History

The Mathura Kaliamman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali located in the village of Siruvachur in the Perambalur taluk of Perambalur District, India. Siruvachur is located at a distance of 5 km from Perambalur, its nearest town. The Car festival and the annual Panguni festivals are important festivals celebrated.
The place where the temple was constructed is believed to be the place where Kannagi, the idol of the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, reassured herself after returning from Madurai. According to tradition, Chelliamman was a local deity of Siruvachur. Her powers became delimited by a tantric, who started using the powers and for destructive purposes. Kannagi came across this Devi temple at Siruvachur and decided to rest there for the night. During her stay, Chelliamman revealed her servitude, and Kannagi did away with the Tantric and saved Chelliamman. Kannagi now received the name as Mathura Kaliamman, as she is from Madurai & got rid of the tantric with the blessings of Kali. Chelliamman, as a gesture of gratitude and also in order to greet Mathura Kaliamman, moved to the Periaswamimali, a nearby hillock, requesting the latter to stay in Siruvachur to which Mathura Kaliamman accepted with a suggestion that the initial offerings shall be presented to her (Chelliamman). The temple is about 1000 years old.

Festivals

A Car festival is held annually during the month of May. During the festival, the idol of goddess Mathura Kaliamman is brought from the shrine to the car where rituals are performed. The car-festival is a part of the annual festival that is celebrated for a period of 13 days.

A yearly Mahabishekam to the Deity has been performed since 1974 by Sri Mathurakaliamman Mahabhisheha Association(a registered autonomous body). This Mahabishekam is performed during the last Friday of Tamil month “Thai”.