Sri Prananatheswarar Temple, Thirumangalakkudi, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

38. Sri Prananatheswarar Temple, Thirumangalakkudi, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Praanavaratheswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Mangalanayagi
Holy water (Theertham) : Mangala Theertham (Cauvery) Also Surya and Chandra Theerthams.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Kongu Ilavu and Vellerukku.
Thevaram : Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m.

For Complete List of 275 Shiva Temples : Click Here

This is the 38th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord shiva of this temple. This Shivastalam is located in the vicinity of Suryanaar Koyil and Kanjanur near Kumbhakonam. It is believed that this temple should be visited first before proceding to Suryanar Kovil enshrining the Nava Grahams. There is also an idol in the temple called Purusha Miruga (an animal) with human, animal and bird faces.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthi. Traditionally the Linga-Bana is shorter than the height of the Avudayar the seat or peeta. The Linga part is taller than the Avudayar part in this temple. Also against the tradition of celebrating the wedding festival during day time, it is celebrated during night in this temple. Similarly the wedding feast also takes place during night instead of in the day. This is celebrated on the seventh day of Brahmmotsavam. The event includes reception of the bridegroom party, Lord and Mother exchanging garlands, Oonjal and the wedding at about 9.00 p.m. followed by wedding feast.

10 day Panguni Uthiram Brahmmotsavam with wedding festival on the second day is the important festive event of the temple. Monthly Sankatahara Chaturthi, Kruthikai, pradoshams, Deepavali, Makar Sankranti, Tamil and English New Year days are observed with special abisheks, pujas etc. Special abishek and pujas are dedicated to Lord Bhairva on Ashtami days in new moon fortnight.

History / Legend:

While entering Lord Shiva shrine, Mothers Mahalakshmi and Saraswati (without Veena in hands) are on both sides of the shrine as Dwarapalakis. Still noteworthy is that they are sitting in Padmasana style. There are two Natarajas in the Prakara with Mother Sivagami. There is a Boodha Gana playing a musical instrument under the feet of the Nataraja near the main Nataraja. There are two theerthas in Prana Natheswarar temple in the prakara called Surya and Chandra theerthas. It is said that these two planets considered the two eyes of Lord Shiva are in the Theertha-Spring form to cool their Lord. Abishek Water for the Lord is drawn from these springs. Mother Vishnu Durga is in the Shiva goshta. Shiva Durga is behind the Somaskanda shrine. Mahishasura the demon is absent in both places. Mother Cauvery is in the form of an idol next to Durga in the Shiva shrine. On the 18th day of Aadi Tamil month – July-August special pujas are dedicated to Cauvery. Lords Vishnu, Brahmma, Mothers Kali,Ambica, Akashavani, Bhooma Devi, Sage Agasthya and Sun God had worshipped in this temple. Lord Muruga is praised as Shanmuga. The temple was renovated during the 11th century by Kulothunga Chola.

Devotees hold curd rice on Vellerukku leaves between 12-12:30 midday time, offer it as nivedhana to Lord and take part in the pujas in the prakara continuously for 11 Sundays for relief from planetary problems and remedy from all diseases. Worship of Mother Mangalambigai for five consecutive Mondays ensure safety to the Mangal Sutra blessing, relief from the adverse aspects of the serpent planets Rahu and Ketu and of Sani Bhagwan. The worship also removes delays in marriage affairs in families. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. They also follow a commitment of honouring five Sumangalis-married women with turmeric, kumkum, flower, betel nut, a comb, hand mirror, bangles, Mangal Sutra thread, a blouse bit and money and seek their blessings. Abishek to Lord is performed with cosmetic powders, oil, rice flour, honey, milk, panchamirtham, curd, fruit juices, green coconut, sandal and sacred ash. Those who can afford, organize feeding-Annadhana.

The temple is praised as Pancha Mangala Kshetra.
1) The name of the place is Tiru Mangala Kudi,
2) Name of the Mother is Mangalambica,
3) The sacred spring is Mangala Theertham,
4) The Vimana –Mangala Vimana and
5) Lord Vinayaka is praised as Mangala Vinayaka, all auspicious.

The Navagrahas in the temple prevented a disease to befall on Kalama Muni. Angry Brahmma cursed planets with that disease. They came to this place, performed penance on the Swayambu Linga Shiva and got relieved of the curse. It is thus noteworthy that Lord Shiva of the temple cured the disease of the planets themselves who have a control over the lives of humans.

The Bana of the Linga is taller than the Avudayar in this temple. Sage Agasthya, short in stature, offered the flowers to Lord raising his hands over the Linga.

There is no special Navagraha-the nine planet shrine in the temple. There is a separate temple for the planets in Suriyanar Kovil in the northeast direction of the temple. It is to be noted that a single temple is constructed as twin temple. Hence those visiting Suryanar Koil for relief from planetary adversities should visit Prana Natheswarar temple first and then only proceed for the Navagraha temple as a rule.

It is also said that the Navagrahas offered Curd Rice Nivedhana without salt on a Vellerukku leaf to Lord. Following this belief, curd rice nivedhana without salt is offered during the midday puja in the temple. Also those failing in the annual ritual for their forefathers offer this nivedhana to Lord.

There is a Maragatha-emerald Linga in Nataraja shrine. Daily midday abishek is offered to this Linga with milk, rosewater, honey and sandal poured through a conch-Valampuri Sangu. Consuming this abishek Prasad is believed to be an effective treatment for diseases. Plantain fruits, betel nut nivedhana is offered.

Mother Mangalambika blesses the devotees from Her own shrine. The temple is known popularly after Her name. The Mangal Sutra thread in the hand of Ambigai is offered as Prasad to women awaiting marriage promising a good match. Women take these threads from Ambigai, wear them and leave the used-old threads at Her feet. This ensures all auspicious married life to women till the end.

During Navarathri festival, Ambica procession deity is decorated with different Alankaras in temples. But such Alankaras are offered to presiding Ambigai in the sanctum sanctorum only. She is dressed with sandal paste only without ornaments and vastras. The sandal paste is prepared in different colours and is shown as vastra and jewels. This is indeed a thrilling darshan experience. This Alankara is followed on the second Sunday of Thai month-January-February. Devotees too can arrange this Alankara as a prayer commitment.

The Sthalapuranam for this temple goes like this. A minister in Chola Kingdom, Alaivanar a staunch devottee of Lord Siva, used the money collected for tax from people for construction of a temple without the permission of the King. The king Kulothunga on knowing this ordered for the 'Sirasedham" and the minister asked the people to conduct the last rituals, in the village in which the temple construction was going on. On punishment of cutting off the head was over, the wife of the Minister fervently prayed to Mangalambikai here for restoration of life of her husband. Mangalambigai requested lord siva to restore the life and he gave -Pranan - to the minsiter. Hence the Lord here is known as Prananathar. The Ambigai here had helped in saving the Tirumangalyam of the wife of the minister and hence known as Mangalambikai.

As a rule, those facing any adverse planetary problems and visiting Suryanar Koil, should place their prayers first in this temple before proceeding to Suryanar koil. Married woman receive the Mangal Sutra thread from Ambigai directly for a long marital life. Devotees pray here for child, wedding boons and long married life, for freedom from enemy threats and theft fear.

Location: Located 3 Kms from Aduthurai (Aduthurai - Tiruppanandhal route). Aduthurai is located on the Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam road. Town bus facilities are available to Aduthurai both from Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. Two navagraha sthalams - Sooriyanarkovil and Kanjanur - are located nearby to Tirumangalakkudi.