Hi. I hope everyone is doing good. This time I would like to write about a temple called Uthirakosamangai, which is located in Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu district near Madurai and Rameshwaram). The temple is located exactly 32km east of Paramakkudi and 10km west of Ramanathapuram.
Apart from writing a blog, I also spend time reading books. I came to know about this temple while reading a book called Navapashanam: The Quest for the Nine Magical Poisons by Nitya Neelakantan. If you guys have time, make sure to give this book a shot. Now scroll down to learn more about the temple.
HISTORY!
This temple was built 3,000 years ago, and it is famous for Lord Shiva. The temple was named Uthirakosamangai because there was a belief that Lord Shiva had chosen this location to share the secrets of the Vedas with Parvati. Uthiram means Updesham; Kosam means Secrets; and Mangai means Parvati.
The temple is also called as Mangalanatha Swamy temple. This temple comes under the Ramanathapuram Samasthanam Devasthanam and it is taken care by Sethupathi Maharaja family (hereditary trustee).
ANCEINT BELIEF!
It was believed that the temple was built by Pandya Kings, Achutappa Nayak (1529–1542 BCE), which occupies 20 acres of land. Also, Muthuveerappar and various other kings of those times took part in constructing the temple. The temple became famous between the 9th and 15th centuries because of the hymns (songs of praise) by the saints Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar.
Just like Sethu Madhava Theertham (known for having the world’s third-largest corridor, and Lakshmi is the main deity in this temple) and Lakshmana Theertham (constructed in the memory of Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama), this temple is also considered a holy place.
There was also a myth that this temple was built by a group of 1000 Lord Shiva devotees, and all the devotees attained spiritual liberation (moksha) at the same time.
FACTS ABOUT UTHIRAKOSAMANGAI!
There is an ancient saying about the temple as a proverb: “When soil appeared, Mangai appeared,” which means this is the oldest temple.
Ravaana got married to Mandodari in the Uthirakosamangai temple. It was also believed that the name of Mandodari (the wife of Ravaana, king of Lanka) was engraved on the walls of the temple. Because of this occurrence, it was claimed that this temple existed even before the Ramayana era.
The first idol of Natarajar was initiated from this temple by Ravaana. Because of this, the temple was worshipped by all the Rishis, sages, and Siddhars of the world.
This is the place where the famous Tamil phrase to praise the Lord Shiva came into practice: “Thennadudaya Shivane Potri; Ennatavarkum Iraiva Potri.”
The idol of Natarajar was made up of emerald stone (margatham; this is the symbol of love and truth). The idol is 6 feet tall, and it would be covered with sandal paste throughout the year. Just before Arudra Day, the paste would be removed and the statue would be kept for public view.
The main deities of the temple are Goddess Mangalaleswari and Lord Mangalanathar Swamy.
The mulavar (Suyambu Lingam) statue in the temple was believed to be 3000 years old.
It is believed that a newlywed couple will lead a happy life if they stand together and worship the deity. Also, people who are getting married in this temple will lead a happy and long-lasting life. So, most of the people got married in the temple on special days.
We all have watched and heard about “Lord Shiva Thiruvillaiyadal,” in that Shiva would work across the beach and be involved in catching the fish by throwing the net (valai veesiya puranam). It was believed that this scene occurred in the temple.
It is advised for the devotees to offer prayers to the Pana Lingam before worshipping the main deities of the temple to get more benefits.
A famous percussionist, P. Subramaniam Pillai, had sung a Tami Pillai song about Goddess Mangaleswari, and a book was published in 1901 and republished in 1956.
Following siddhars were believed to be blessed by Lord Shiva:
1. Vedaviyasar (the one who wrote the Mahabharata, also believed to be the great grandfather of Gowravar and Pandavar).
2. Kaga Bujander (a great sage known for his knowledge).
3. Mirukandu Sage (father of Markandeya—the person who persuaded Lord Shiva and escaped from death).
4. Vanasuran (a great devotee of Shiva).
5. Manickavasagar and Arunagirinathar.There is a Panchaloha Natarajar statute in the temple, which is very different, and it is a masterpiece consisting of men dancing moves on the right and women dancing moves on the left.
Here we can find Lord Murugan and Ganesha vehicles (belief that God owns their commuting animals) have alerted places. Also, Lord Murgan has an elephant as a commuting vehicle here, which was given by the King of Devas, Adi Chidambara Mahatmyam.
The saint Manickavasagar was blessed to encounter Lord Shiva in this temple.
There were two Yali’s located at the entrance of the temple. Out of all yali, these two remain special. These two yali’s have a ball of stone in their mouths. The stone (ball) can be moved by inserting our hands in their mouths.
There is a pond in the temple where we can see sea-water fish instead of fresh-water fish.
During pradhosam (an auspicious day for Lord Shiva—a monthly special), if we offer screw-pine flowers (thazhampoo) to Shiva and worship him, it is believed that all our marriage complications will get sorted out.
Here we can also find Varahi Temple. Offering prayer to Varahi every Friday, Tuesday, and Sunday can eliminate all your marriage struggles during Rahu kalam (special timings as per Hindu religious belief).
In the 13th century, famous Mughal King Alauddin Khilji tried to loot the Natarajar idol from the temple, but he failed in his plan.
The temple was also visited by Karaikal Ammaiyar, the one who fed fruit to one of the poor devotees of Lord Shiva. Because of that, she attained magical and divine power.
The architecture of Uthirakosamangai was derived from Dravidian architecture (square or rectangular in shape).
It was believed that Natarajar first danced in the Uthirakosamangai temple before dancing in the Chidambaram temple.
Here we have a jujube tree called Sthala Virutcham (a tree that has five leaves and a bud). The bud doesn’t undergo any changes, even after ages. This tree was believed to be 5000 years old, and many generations have visited this temple.
If you get to worship the Sahasralinga in the temple, it is believed that we get divine blessings after worshipping 1087 lingams from all over the world.
Must visit a place for all humans to attain salvation.
This is the place where Lord Rama was given Shiva in the form of lingam and ordered to build a bridge over the Sethu Samudra.
These are some of the history, facts, and beliefs of the Uthirakosamangai temple. I hope this will be interesting and informative. I will come up with an interesting topic in my next blog post. Until then, stay tuned. Happy reading!
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