Mangalanatha Swamy Temple Uthirakosamangai:
In the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, Uthirakosamangai, also called Mangalanatha Swamy temple, is a Shiva temple that is located close to Ramanathapuram. Three thousand years ago, the temple was in full bloom. The Uthirakosamangai Temple occupies over twenty acres.
Similar to Ramanathapuram, Sethu Madhava Theertham, and Lakshmana Theertham, the temple is revered. The Uthirakosamangai temple is one of the districts of Ramanathapuram’s most popular tourist destinations. It is the oldest shiva temple in South India.
Uthirakosamangai Temple History:
The Uthirakosamangai temple was established 3,000 years ago. It covers over 20 acres and is thought to have been built by 1,000 Shiva devotees who simultaneously gained Moksha, or spiritual emancipation.
The temple complex houses shrines honoring Mangalanathar Swami, Mangaleswari Amman, Balabhairav, Byravar, Datsinamoorthy, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar, and Suyambulingam. A holy temple pool is also present.
There are five towers at the temple, including seven-tiered royal towers. The entrance is guarded by two majestic yalis, which are mythical beasts resembling lions. Visitors can manipulate the stone balls in their jaws with their hands.
The five and a half-foot-tall, magnificent emerald statue of Sage Mangaleswarar is kept in the temple. All year long, sandalwood cups hold the cosmic dancing form of Lord Shiva, known as Natarajar. Given that when the temple was founded, the Sun, Moon, and Mars were the only celestial bodies represented, it is thought to be among the world’s first Shiva temples.
Legend:
According to Hindu mythology, hundreds of rishis, or ascetics, once worshipped Shiva as a kind of penance. Shiva promised the rishis that in recognition of Mandothari, the wife of King Ravana of Sri Lanka, her penance would be acknowledged in the form of a fireball. In Ravana’s palace, Shiva manifested as a young child. As Ravana lifted the lovely kid, a little wound sprang from it. The rishis believed that the fireball that emerged from the Agni Theertham (temple tank) at the same time was caused by Shiva striking Ravana. Out of the thousand, one person stayed to safeguard the vedic literature while the other 999 committed suicide by plunging into the fire. Shiva appeared in the temple as Sahasralingam (thousand lingams) for the 999 and one more for himself after the rishi expressed his satisfaction. It was said that the lone rishi had appeared later in life as Manickavasgar.
Mangalanatha Swamy Temple Architecture:
The Mangalanatha Swamy temple is situated 17 km west of Ramanathapuram and 32 km east of Paramakkudi. The temple features a seven-tiered gateway tower, or rajagopuram. The most well-known of the temple’s many shrines are those of Mangalanathar, Mangalambigai, and Natarajar. For Mangalanathar (Shiva) in the shape of lingam and Mangalambigai, there are distinct shrines. Within the temple is a six-foot (1.8-meter) tall ancient Maragatha Nataraja deity carved from emerald. At thousand lingas are housed in a hall at Saharasralingam. Beautiful stone carvings of the mythological dragon Yali, with a rolling stone ball in its mouth, may be seen near the temple’s entry to the main precinct.
In the hall that leads to the sanctum are the granite representations of the deities Ganesha (son of Shiva and god of knowledge), Murugan (son of Shiva), Nandi (Representative of all our Souls), and Navagraha (nine planetary deities). Similar to other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, Thenmugaparaman (Dakshinamurthy-Shiva as the Teacher), Durga (warrior-goddess), and Chandikeswarar (a saint and Shiva devotee) are depicted on the first precinct or the walls surrounding the shrine of Erumbeeswarar.
Uthirakosamangai Temple Timings:
The timings of uthirakosamangai temple is open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Pujas, or rites, are performed by temple priests both on a daily and festive basis. The priests of this temple, like those of other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, are members of the Brahmin subcaste known as Shaiva.
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.
The four steps of each ritual are: abhisheka (holy bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering), and deepa aradanai (lamp-waving) for each of the temple’s deities. Worship is performed in front of the temple mast as priests recite passages from the Vedas, sacred books, and nagaswarams, or pipe instruments, provide music.
Festivals Celebrated at Mangalanatha Swamy temple:
The major festival of the Mangalanatha Swamy 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) and Sivarathri during Masi (February–March).
Many tourists visit Tiruvathidirai in December for the event.
Mangalanatha Swamy temple Address:
Ramanathapuram Road, Utrakosamangai, Tamil Nadu 623533
How to reach uthirakosamangai mangalanatha swamy temple:
By Air: At a distance of 120 kilometers, Madurai’s airport is the closest to the temple.
By Rail: Ramanathapuram, which is 18 kilometers away, is the closest train station.
By Road: The temple is about 18 km from Ramanathapuram, where both private and public transportation are available. There are plenty of buses that go to Ramanathapuram from Tamil Nadu’s larger cities.
Places to visit in Ramanathapuram:
- Theerthagal bird sanctuary
- Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple
- Badrakali Amman Temple
- Lakshmana Tirtham
- Five-Faced Hanuman Temple
- Ramakrishna Math, Ramanathapuram
- Ramalingavilasam Palace
Uthirakosamangai temple distance:
Chennai to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 1 hr 17 min (43.2 km) via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd/EVR Periyar Salai/Poonamallee High Rd and NH32
Uthirakosamangai temple distance from bangalore – 9 hr 37 min (544.4 km) via NH 44
uthirakosamangai to rameswaram distance – 1 hr 18 min (72.1 km) via NH87
Madurai to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 1 hr 41 min (111.1 km) via NH87
PARAMAKUDI to Uthirakosamangai distance – 40 min (25.8 km) via Thanjavur – Kalayarkoil – Sayalkudi Rd
Thirupullani to Uthirakosamangai distance – 13 min (10.7 km) via Ramanathapuram Rd/Utira – Thiruppulani Rd
Uthirakosamangai Temple Images:
