Melmalayanur · Tamil Nadu · Shakta · Where Shiva was freed of Brahmahathi dosha
Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple – Timings, Darshan & Seva Booking
The goddess who freed Shiva — and the new-moon swing festival. Today’s darshan timings, pooja schedule, seva ticket prices and festival days for Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple, Melmalayanur, from the official HR&CE temple portal.
Goddess Angala Parameswari (Poongavanathal)
- 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- 2 daily poojas
- Sevas from ₹5
Tickets are booked on the government HR&CE portal, which opens in a new tab. If the portal is down, that tab waits and opens it as soon as it’s back.
Right now at the temple
--:--
About Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple
Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple lies at the heart of the old Dandakaranya — the wide tract around Polur, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Gingee, Tindivanam and Villupuram. The temple tells how the chieftain Malayan, one of the last seven great patrons, ruled the central area called Poongavanam; the raised land (malai) he ruled gave Melmalayanur its name, and in old songs the goddess is Poongavanathal. Its holy water is the Agni theertham, and its sacred trees are the vilvam and the peacock-flower tree.
In the temple’s legend, Brahma once had five heads like Shiva and, looking like him, was mistaken by Parvati for her lord at Kailash — the beginning of a story that ends here, where Shiva was freed of the sin of Brahmahathi. Melmalayanur is honoured for that as a place of release. The temple has a vimana but no gopuram.
- Where Shiva was freed of Brahmahathi dosha
- Unjal (swing) festival every new moon
- Open 6 AM to 9 PM; on new-moon nights it stays open all night
- Agni theertham, vilvam and peacock-flower trees
Temple Timings
Time at the temple (India)
--:--
- Open for darshan
- Pooja
The ring shows the AM (midnight to noon) hours.
Open for darshan
- 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Darshan runs 6 AM–9 PM; on Amavasai the temple stays open through the night.
- The new moon after Maha Shivaratri is the temple’s greatest day.
- Special entrance is ₹100; abhishekam and the golden chariot are ₹1,500 each.
Daily Pooja Schedule
2 poojas are performed every day. Times are India time and change on festival days.
5:00 AM
to 6:00 AM
Kalasandhi Pooja (silver kavacham)
4:00 PM
to 5:00 PM
Sayaratchai Pooja
Seva & Darshan Tickets
All sevas on HR&CEFees for booking online on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE portal. Tickets are issued by the temple; Trypdeals does not sell them.
Annai Thamizhil Archanai
Archanai · 1 person per ticket
During darshan hours
₹5
BookArchanai Ticket
Archanai · 1 person per ticket
During darshan hours
₹5
BookSpecial Entrance Ticket
Special darshan · 1 person per ticket
6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
₹100
BookAbhishekam Ticket
Abhishekam · 1 person per ticket
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
₹1,500
BookGolden Chariot Ticket
Chariot · 1 person per ticket
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
₹1,500
Book
Upcoming Festival Days
Festival and special-pooja days — some paid sevas are suspended and crowds are larger.
Next festival
Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be present
Fri, 9 Oct 2026
October 2026
November 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 9 Oct 2026
- Since today is the new moonSat, 10 Oct 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 11 Oct 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 16 Oct 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 18 Oct 2026
- Since today is a government holiday19 – 20 Oct 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 23 Oct 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 25 Oct 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 30 Oct 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 1 Nov 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 6 Nov 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 8 Nov 2026
- Since today is the day after the new moon a large number of devotees will gather so the abhishekam will not take place.Mon, 9 Nov 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 13 Nov 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 15 Nov 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 20 Nov 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 22 Nov 2026
- Pournami (full moon)Tue, 24 Nov 2026
- Since today is Friday and a large number of devotees will be presentFri, 27 Nov 2026
- Since today is Sunday and a large number of devotees will gatherSun, 29 Nov 2026
Dress Code & Facilities
Wear
- Men: dhoti or veshti, or trousers with a shirt
- Women: saree, half-saree, or salwar with dupatta
Avoid
- Shorts and sleeveless tops
- Leather items near the sanctum
- Footwear — leave it at the free stands outside
Facilities
- Parking
- Golden chariotTemple inside
- Tonsuring (hair offering)Temple East, west and near Agni kulam
- BathroomsTemple kodimaram back side. near kodimaram and Kodukkankuppam road
- First-aid centreTemple South Arch side
- Free footwear standSouth side arch near
- RO drinking waterDrinking Purified water
- LibraryNear south arch
- WheelchairsUlthurai Office
- ToiletsKodi maram back side
- Cloak roomNear south side arch
- Pilgrim accommodationtherodum veethi
- Feeding room for mothersTemple pragaram
- Prasadam by post
How to Reach
Angalamman Koil Street, Melmalayanur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu 604204 Get directions
- MelmalayanurBus stand1 km
History
Through the centuries
16th century
The stone mandapam of the second prakaram is built.
2015
Kumbabhishekam on 18 November 2015.
2021
A first-aid centre opens at the temple on 31 December 2021.
Temple at a Glance
- Goddess
- Angalamman
- Known for
- Where Shiva was freed of Brahmahathi dosha
- Last Kumbabhishekam
- 18 November 2015
Customs & Rituals
Amavasai swing festival
On every new-moon night the goddess is seated on a swing at 11 PM; seeing the Unjal Utsavam is believed to remove every kind of evil.
Shiva’s release
The temple is honoured as the place where Shiva was freed from the sin of cutting off Brahma’s head.
Temple Animals & Services
Run by the temple
- Angalamman First Aid CentreAn emergency first-aid centre for devotees at Melmalayanur.
Online Booking Rules
How seva and darshan booking works on the HR&CE portal — worth reading before you pay.
- 1Book only on the official portalDarshan and seva tickets are sold on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE portal. Many temples offer free darshan slots; paid tickets are priced by each temple.
- 2A government ID for every personEach devotee on the ticket needs a government ID number at booking — Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, ration card or driving licence.
- 3One ID, one booking at a timeThe same ID cannot be used again until a gap set by the temple has passed. If a booking fails, the ID is released and can be used straight away.
- 4Your e-ticketA confirmed booking produces a PDF e-ticket to download; it is also sent to the email and mobile number you give. The portal’s “e-Ticket Verification” page lets you check a booking and download the ticket again.
- 5If a payment is stuckA pending payment usually settles within 10 to 30 minutes — the portal re-checks with the bank on its own. If money was debited but the booking failed, the bank refunds it in 3–5 working days.
- 6Paid bookings are finalPaid tickets cannot be cancelled or refunded, so check the date and slot before paying.
- 7Ticket won’t open?On older Android phones the PDF sometimes won’t display — download it and open it in an up-to-date PDF reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple timings?
Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple is open 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Timings change on festival days.
What is the daily pooja schedule at Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple?
2 poojas are held every day, starting with Kalasandhi Pooja (silver kavacham) at 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM and ending with Sayaratchai Pooja at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
How much is the special darshan ticket?
Special Entrance Ticket: ₹100. Tickets are sold on the official HR&CE portal and at the temple counter.
Can I book sevas at Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple online?
Yes — 5 sevas, from ₹5, can be booked on the Tamil Nadu HR&CE portal. Each seva above links to its official booking page.
What is the dress code?
Traditional dress is expected: dhoti or pants with a shirt for men, and saree, half-saree or salwar with dupatta for women. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
When was the last Kumbabhishekam at Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple?
The latest Kumbabhishekam (re-consecration) of Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple was held on 18 November 2015.
What ID do I need to book darshan online?
Every person on the ticket needs a government ID number at booking — Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, ration card or driving licence. The same ID can be used again only after a gap set by the temple.
Can I cancel a paid seva or darshan ticket?
No. Paid bookings on the HR&CE portal are final and cannot be cancelled or refunded. If money was debited but the booking failed, the bank refunds it within 3–5 working days.
Timings, pooja schedule, fees and festival days come from the official Tamil Nadu HR&CE Thirukoil portal and are refreshed daily (last update 9 Oct 2026). They change on festival days — please confirm on the official temple page before you travel. Temple office: 04145-294466.