Durga Devi Temple at Tellipalai, thousands of devotees congregate daily. Although this temple has become prominent in recent years, it has an old history. It is said that about four hundred years ago, a devout devotee by the name “Kathirkamar” had gone on pilgrimage to India there he worshipped at several Hindu holy Sthalams, Bewares, Mathurai, Rameswaram etc. On his return, arriving at Kankesanturai he had walked a few miles when he felt tired and rested by the Wayside. Durga desired that to be her location. So, he installed the “Sakthi Yantar” which he had carefully brought from Benares, there under an Illupai tree, thus commencing a worship, which is to become an outstanding Devi Temple and the first Kumbabishekam was performed in 1829. Poojas were performed by priests from Kanchipuram and the temple was under the management of one Kathi Rasar Pilai.

In 1953, the Temple Trustee Board constructed this temple according to Agamic way. In fact, when Selvi Thangammah Appakutty became the Trustee of this temple, the poojas were performed daily and meticulously. She was a dedicated, devoted and highly disciplined Hindu spiritual personality with fearless and courageous mind. She was responsible for the construction of “Sithira Ther” and “Raja Gopuram” in 1978 and the Kumbabhisekam was performed in 1981. As President and Trustee of Tellipalai Sri Durga Devi Temple, Selvi Thangammah Appakutty has rendered tremendous religious service. Realizing her tremendous service to Hindu religion in Sri Lanka and Abroad she was conferred with the title of “Chen Chot Chemmani” by “Madurai Atheenam” in 1966 and “Shivathamil Selvi” at Karainagar Elaththu Sithamparam Temple.