275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Uthara Kosa Mangai Temple – Ramanathapuram !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

On our second day stay at Rameshwaram, we a group of 7 people left Rameshwaram to visit temples of Ramanathapuram around 6’ clock in the morning as  instructed by our mentor Sri Babu Vadhyar - 09486257540 (Sri Ganapathirama Sarma).  The highway to Ramanathapuram was quite empty which made our travel easy.  Luckily, we have got the same driver Sab (Mr. Sivakumar) from the first day to all through our trip in Rameshwaram and neighboring places.  He was a nice chap, humble and decent, known to this place for many years.  We firmly decided that we all should have a holy dip in Navapasham and in fact we were carrying a small trolly with us.  Our driver sab took us to have Dharshan of Navagrahas at Dharbaranyam (Navapashanam).   On our way, I enquired him about the distance and the facilities for holy dip in Navapashanam.  He said ‘Madam, angayellam snanam panna mudiyathu ungalaley’ I said we will see the condition of the water and decide.  Though we all had our early bath in our room, my FIL was in super form saying that he definitely will have bath in ‘Navapashanam’. Actually, we all were planning to have a dip in Navapashanam, unfortunately after seeing the awful state of water and its surroundings we had to change our minds.   My MIL said ‘Appovey sonnan Sivakumar (Oh! by the way, our driver sab became very close to us in the three days of stay at Rameshwaram) snanam panna mudiyathunuttu, Yaravathu kettelo?’  We were watching at the heartrending condition of the entire surroundings sorrowfully.  In the meantime my FIL dived into sea and had a super bath.  We all were laughing at him secretly.  My son whispered to me ‘Mom, Thank God I and Appa are saved; otherwise Thatha would have pushed us into water.’

We had dharshan of Navagrahas and performed Archana at Navapashanam.   We moved to Thiru Uthara Kosa Mangai to have dharshan of Lord Mangalanathar and Goddess Mangalambikai.  It took solid time to reach Uthara Kosa Mangai.  As soon as we got out of the car in front of the temple only one word we could utter ‘Wow! Amazing!’  I immediately picked up my camera and had number of shots.  The temple and its surroundings were absolutely brilliant sight.  Our group slowly moved through the magnificent Rajagopuram and the beautiful spacious open areas, huge praharams etc..  My FIL, my husband and my son started to chant ‘Rudram’, ladies started to chant Sivananda Lahari. 

Aimkara Hrimkara Rahasya Yuktha

Hrimkara Koodartha Maha Vibudhya

Omkara Marma Prathibadhinibhyam

Namo Nama: Sri Guru Padhukabhyam

Kalabhyam Choodalamkrutha Sasi Kalabhyam Nija Thapa:

Phalabhyam Baktheshu Prakatitha Phyalabhyam Bavathumey

 Sivabhyam Asthoka Tribuvana Shivabhyam Hrudhi Punar –

Bavabhyam Ananda Spura Dhanu Bavabhyam Nathiriyam.

Our mentor Sri Babu Vadhyar defined Thiru Uthara Kosa Mangai as Thiru (Lord) Uthara (Advice) Kosa (Secret) Mangai (Consort).  This is one of the oldest temples existing from the date back to 3000 years.  The significance of this temple is that Lord Mangalanathar/Mangaleshwarar gave ‘Pranavopadesham’ to his Consort Mangala Nayaki/ Mangalambikai in this temple and  the demon King Ravana got married to Mandodhari under the guidance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, thus Lord assumed Himself as Mangalanathar and his consort as Mangala Nayaki.  This is one of the Thevara Padal Petra Thiru Sthalam, Manikkavasakar sung the praising the glories of Lord in this temple.

Presiding Deity – Lord Shiva as Mangala Nathar/ Mangaleshwarar and His consort Mangala Nayaki/Mangalambikai

Theertham – Agni Theertham

Sthala Vruksham – Ilanthai

Thevara Padal Petra Idam – Manikkavasagar sung priaising the glories of Lord Mangalanathar

Sannidhis – Lord Maragatha Natarajar, Mangala Nayaki Thayar/ Mangalambikai, Lord Subramanya with His consorts Valli and Devayanai, Lord Ganesha on the right entrance of Rajagopuram, Nagadevathas under Banyan tree. 

This is one of the most beautiful temples with two mighty Gopurams, existing from the date back from 18^th century.  It stands majestically as the matchless beauty with the exquisite paintings of Nayaks period.   The Pandya Kings and King of Vijaya Nagara also made contributions to this temple.  The 3000 year old temple widely spreaded at the 20 acres of land, it is located at a distance of 15 km south west of Ramanathapuram, Ramnad railway station   and it is 70km away from Rameshwaram. The striking Rajagopuram is one of the main attractions of this temple. On the right of the Rajagopuram situated a small Sannidhi for Lord Ganesha.   Nagadevathas can be seen under a Banyan tree not far from the main entrance.    The beautiful architectural works, striking sculptures, grand pillars are real treat for the yearning eyes. On the main praharam situated huge idol of Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Surya (Usha & Prathyusha) & Lord Chandra with their consorts, Sixty three Nayanmars, Lingodhbavar, Goddess Durga, Lord Dakshinamurthy, and Lingam & Ambikai.  Lord Mangalanathar is worshipped in the form of a self manifested Linga.  This is one of the Thevara Padal Petra Idam, Manikkavasagar sung 16 verses praising the glory of Mangalanathar. 

The legend has that, thousands of saints were underwent severe penance and prayed to Lord Mangalanathar in this temple.  Lord assigned a sage with the safe custodian of Veda Sastras and hastened to Lanka.  Mandodhari (wife of Ravana) who was well known for her virtues and chastity also undertook severe austerities and prayed to Lord.  The most pleased Lord at the devotion of Mandodhari appeared before them as a baby.  King Ravana enchanted at the charisma of the baby and carried in his arms.   Suddenly, an enormous fire broke out from the middle of Agni Theertham with the pulsating aura of lights.   All the saints who were gathered realized the presence of Lord and engulfed at the massive fire and attained liberation. Lord appeared with Mangala Nayaki before the saints who were made self sacrifice at the Agni Theertham and transformed them into 999 lingas.  Lord himself took the form of a mighty Linga and stayed amongst them.  Inorder to keep up the promise given to Lord, only one sage was stayed behind who had the custody of Veda Sastras.   The compassionate Lord blessed the sage to born as an ardent devotee of Him – Saiva saint; on this Earth.  Consequently     Manikkavasagar took birth on this Earth, later he visited this Temple of Lord Mangalanathar and sung 16 glorious verses praising the Lord.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Maragatha Natarajar, the 5 ½ ft.  Idol of Lord Maragatha Natarajar is made of Emarald, the brilliant statue remains covered with the sandle paste throughout the year except on the day of Aurudra Darisanam.  On this auspicious day of Aurudra Darisanam in the month of Mrigashirsha sacred bath for the idol is performed; the highly vibrant idol of Lord Maragatha Natarajar reveals its magnificent color – Green is an absolutely remarkable sight for the parched eyes.  The rest of the days, poojas and abhishekams are performed for the Spatika Lingam (Crystal Phallus).  Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Mandodhari (wife of Ravana) and most the Nayanmars worshipped Lord Mangalathar in this temple.

Idham They Yuktham Va Paramasiva Karunya Jaladhey

Gathou Thiryak Roopam Thava Padha Shiror Dharsanadhiya

Hari Brahmanou Thou Dhivi Bhuvi Charanthou Sramayuthou

Katham Shambo Swamin Kathaya Mama Veydhyosi Puratha:

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!