Vekkali Amman Temple

Vekkali Amman Temple in Woraiyur, a neighbourhood of Tiruchirappalli, is dedicated to Vekkali, a form of Kali whom the people of Woraiyur regard as their guardian and their saviour in hard times. The temple is known from the early Chola period, though no historical records survive, and the Cholas worshipped the goddess before setting out on military campaigns.

Its main feature is the open sanctum. Roofs have been built over it at different times, but they are believed to have been burnt away by the goddess's power. Her pose also differs from that in other roofless Shakti shrines: according to legend, she kept her leg position to show her energy even when Nataraja switched legs during his dance, and the posture is also read as a sign of compassion for devotees. The temple has a gold chariot, launched in 2010. Festivals include Chittirai in April–May, Panguni Poochoridal, a mango ablution in Vaikasi, Navarathri, and the Fridays of the Tamil months of Thai and Aadi.