Mangalanatha Swamy Temple

Overview

The Mangalanatha Swamy Temple is a Shiva temple located at Uthiragosamangai in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is located 32 km East from Paramakkudi and 10 km west from Ramanathapuram.

About The Temple

The temple is believed to be built by the Panyda kings. Achutappa Nayak (1529–1542 A.D.), a Hindu ruler of Thanjavur, Muthuveerappar and other kings of Ramanthapuram Sethupathy dynasty has contributed to the temple. The last renovation was carried out by the queen of Ramanthapuram.

There is a 6 ft (1.8 m) tall ancient maragatha Nataraja idol carved out of emerald inside the temple. The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). There are separate shrines for Mangalanathar (Shiva) in the form of lingam and Mangalambigai. A hall of Saharasralingam has thousand lingams enshrined in it. At the entrance of the main precinct, the temple features exquisite stone carvings of Yali (mythological dragon), depicted with a rolling stone ball inside its mouth. The granite images of the deities Ganesha (son of Shiva and god of wisdom), Murugan (son of Shiva), Nandi (Representative of all our Souls) and Navagraha (nine planetary deities) are located in the hall leading to the sanctum.

Legend and Stories

As per Hindu legend, once hundreds of rishis (ascetics) performed penance worshipping Shiva. Shiva told the rishis that he would appear in the form of a fireball to acknowledge the penance of Mandothari, the wife of king Ravana in Sri Lanka. Shiva appeared in the form a small child in Ravana's palace. Ravana lifted the beautiful child and there was a small wound out of it. Simultaneously, there was a fireball out of the Agni Theertham (temple tank), which the rishis felt were on account of Shiva attacking Ravana. Out of thousand, 999 killed themselves by falling in the fire, while one of them remained to save the vedic books.

Rituals

The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi.

Festivals

The major festival of the temple are Tirukalyana Vaibhavam (sacred marriage) during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May), Vasanthotsavam during Vaigasi (May–June), Pathunal Siva Uthsavam during Aaani (July–August), Annabishekam during Aipasi (October–November), Tiruvathidirai during Margazhi (December–January) andSivarathri during Masi (February–March). The Tiruvathidirai festival in December attracts a large number of tourists.

Interesting Facts

The temple is considered sacred along the lines of Ramanathapuram, Sethu Madhava Theertham and Lakshmana Theertham. The emerald image of Nataraja is anointed with sandal paste round the year except on Tiruvathidirai festival day when special worship is practised. It is believed that even small vibrations can damage the image and hence no percussion instruments are used during worship practises. The front hall has lingams made of Padigam (spatika), that are anointed with cooked rice every afternoon. Manickavasagar, the 9th century Tamil saivite saint poet has revered Mangalanathar and the temple in his verses in Thiruvasakam, compiled as the Eighth Tirumurai. Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century Tamil poet has composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan in the temple. As per Hindu legend, Muruga was awarded the Airavata (white elephant) of celestial deity Indra at this place.

How to Reach Uthiragosamangai

The nearest airport is Madurai. The nearest railway station is Ramanathapuram Railway Station. Uthiragosamangai belongs to Ramanathapuram district located 17 km away from district capital Ramanathapuram.

Temple Address

Mangalanatha Swamy Temple,
Ramanathapuram Rd, Uthiragosamangai,
Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu,
India, Pincode – 623533.