01The Lord of the red form
Sem-meni means the red body. The temple’s katha says Mata Parvati came down to this riverbank to do tapas, and Shiva appeared before her as a crimson flame; she is worshipped as Sivayoga Nayaki, the Devi who attained the Lord through yoga. Her image is said to be of saligrama stone. On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of Panguni the sun falls on the swayambhu linga. The village stands on a sand bank, Manalmedu, off the road, and the priest comes from Tirukattupalli for the daily puja, so few pilgrims reach it. Couples come to pray together for harmony at home.
Visiting
About 6 km from Tirukattupalli via Vishnampettai; the last stretch is a mud track. Go by day, ideally after calling the priest in Tirukattupalli.
