Ratnagiriswarar Temple

Overview

Rathnagiriswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirumarugal, 10 kilometres East of Nannilam, Near Nagapatnam, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Two of the most revered Nayanars, Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar have sung the glories of this temple. Thirumarugal derived its name from a type of banana tree named Marugal found inside the northern side of the Rathnagiriswarar temple.This is the 197th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 80th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Czhola Nadu. Thiruganasambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams.One of the temples where Lord Shiva enacted his 64 holy plays (Thiruvilaiyadal).

About the Temple

The temple belonging to the 14th century was under bad conditions a few decades back with the efforts of Sri Swami Balamurugan Adimai have a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The temple tank is in front of the temple. Rathinagiri is famous for the Murugan temple on a hillock. There are 130 steps to the hillock top. Saint Arunagirinadhar had sung Thiruppugazh on this temple. Some people call this as the 7th Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga.Marugal is a mixture of Banana Plantain as a sthala viruksham at upper level. This is one of the Maada Temple manufactured by Ko Chenkat Chozhan. The Sudhai Sirpam of chetti's child who woke up by Thiruganasambandar's Devara pathikam, after death because of snake nibble in Rajagopuram can be seen. Sri Lakshmi theertha thirukkulam with Neerazhimandapam is infront of the temple. In Koshtam Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durgai. Moolavar is suyambu and looking great. In Ambal sannadhi works of art of Kusakethu lords story. In saba canvases of Pathanjali, Viyakrabathar, Chetti's child. In the first level there is a sannadhi for Sani Bhagavan ( on the right half of Ambal Sannadhi ). Sannadhi for Somaskandhar, Nalvar, 63var, Prathana Vinayagar, Parasarar worshiped Lingam, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Mahalakshmi, Natarajar saba, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Chandran, Suryan, Nagar, Chettippen and Chetti Pillai in one pedam on the inward parakaram. In the ground level prakaram sannadhi for Suram theertha Vinayagar, Santhana Vinayagar, Marugalurudayar and Soundaranayagi and Yamuna Sandikeswari close Ambal sannadhi. There is Nel Kalnchiyam ( Paddy stockpiling on the left half of access to the upper level ( Hope this is not being utilized these days).

About the Deity

Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy.

Legend/Story

Lakshmi rejoined with Vishnu after venerating Shiva, subsequently the name Thirumarugal. The name Marugal likewise originates from the stala vruksham Vaazhai. A merchant guaranteed to offer one of his 7 girls to their maternal uncle for marriage in the early years however did not keep up his guarantee. When they turned up with marriage age, he organized relational unions for them with some different persons one by one. The 7 th little girl, a Shiva aficionado, understanding that her dad will cheat her uncle for her situation additionally, absconded with him to this temple. Sadly, the kid got harmed up with a snake nibble and was dead. She cried to the Lord and when Sambandar resulted in these present circumstances temple, he heard her cry and sang the Pathigam Sadaiyai Enumaal, known as Vidam Theertha Patikam and breathed life into back her uncle. He likewise led the marriage between them with Swamy Himself remaining as a witness as a Vanni tree and a well. The young lady's guardians, who were at Madurai, did not acknowledge the marriage in light of the fact that there was no witnees to the marriage. The young lady implored the Lord and He gave dharshan at Madurai as Vanni tree and well as a proof of marriage. Hence, this temple is the wellspring of the acclaimed blessed play that was ordered at Madurai. This occasion is remembered in a festival every year. We can see the vanni tree and the well in the praharam of this temple. The Sadaiyai Enumaal pathigam is viewed as capable in determining the issues in relational unions. Sambandar and Appar created the Pathigam.

Festivals

The most vital celebration of the temple is the 10 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam with parade of Lord twice every day in the morning and night, wedding celebration of a Chetty youth and a Chetty young lady on the seventh day and theerthavari on the last tenth day in April-May,the second imperative celebration being the Varalakshmi puja when Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Mother Mahalakshmi come in parade on the Kamal-Lotus vahan, offering Theertham Prasad in Avani-August-September, Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July are the celebrations fabulously celebrated in the temple. Each first day of the Tamil month is a celebration day. The fan group is gigantic nowadays. There will be extraordinary pujas on Deepavali in October-November, Pongal-Makar Sankranti in January and both Tamil and English New Year days.

Festivals

The most vital celebration of the temple is the 10 day Chithirai Brahmmotsavam with parade of Lord twice every day in the morning and night, wedding celebration of a Chetty youth and a Chetty young lady on the seventh day and theerthavari on the last tenth day in April-May,the second imperative celebration being the Varalakshmi puja when Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Mother Mahalakshmi come in parade on the Kamal-Lotus vahan, offering Theertham Prasad in Avani-August-September, Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July are the celebrations fabulously celebrated in the temple. Each first day of the Tamil month is a celebration day. The fan group is gigantic nowadays. There will be extraordinary pujas on Deepavali in October-November, Pongal-Makar Sankranti in January and both Tamil and English New Year days.

Significance

In this temple, the Lord Brahma and Sage Parashara did penance, the former to regain his powers and the latter to rid himself of sins. The Lingam here, which is a Swayambhu, was unearthed by King Kusakethu, the Lord's ardent devotee, and bears the scar caused by the king's spade while he was digging the earth. The history of this temple also states that lord Rathinagireeshwarar had showered Rathina mazha (Rain) to eradicate the famine in that place. Sambandar sung the Vidam Theertha Patikam in this temple .Apart from the two saints (Sambandar and Appar) , Sekkizhar, Arunagirinathar and Ramalingar has also sung about this temple.

Accessibility

Road

You can access Rathnagiriswarar temple by bus from Nagappatinam Bus Stand which is 22km away.

Rail

Nearest railway station is Nagapattinam Railway Station. From here temple is 22km away and buses and private autos are available from Nagapattinam to reach the Rathnagiriswar temple.

Air

The nearest airport is at Thirucharippalli, 145km away from Nagapattinam district. From here buses are available from Nagapattinam Bus Stand to reach the Rathnagiriswar temple.

Address