Uthirakosamangai Temple:
The Mangalanatha Swamy temple, also called Uthirakosamangai, is a Shiva temple located in the Tamil Nadu district of Ramanathapuram, close to Ramanathapuram. The Uthirakosamangai Temple occupies over 20 acres.
Like Ramanathapuram, Sethu Madhava Theertham, and Lakshmana Theertham, the temple is revered. In the district of Ramanathapuram, the temple is a well-known tourist destination.
Read famous Temples in Tamilnadu:
Uthirakosamangai Temple History:
The Uthirakosamangai temple’s history extends back three thousand years. It covers over 20 acres of land and is thought to have been built by 1,000 Shiva devotees who simultaneously achieved Moksha, or spiritual emancipation.
The temple complex contains temples to Balabhairav, Byravar, Datsinamoorthy, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar, Suyambulingam, Mangalanathar Swami, and Mangaleswari Amman. There is a holy temple pool as well.
There are five towers in the temple, including seven-tiered royal towers. Visitors can manually move the two majestic yalis that guard the entrance, each of which has a stone ball in its mouth. The five and a half-foot-tall, magnificent emerald statue of Sage Mangaleswarar is housed in the temple. Throughout the year, sandalwood cups are used to portray Shiva’s cosmic dance form, Nataraja. The Sun, Moon, and Mars were the only celestial bodies represented when the temple was built, making it one of the oldest Shiva temples in the world.
According to tradition, Ravana’s wife, Mandothari, wanted to marry the most devout Shiva worshipper. Shiva gave sacred scripture to sages for safeguarding. When Ravana tried to touch a child (Shiva in disguise), Shiva turned into Agni, causing chaos. Fearing Shiva’s wrath, the sages dove into a sacred pool that became known as “Agni Theertham.” Only Manikkavacakar, a sage, saved the Torah. As a result, Manikavasagar is honoured in the temple with a lingam.
The temple’s name, Uttirakosamangai, is derived from Shiva’s lectures to Parvati regarding sacred scriptures. During the era of the Pandyan rulers, the temple was an important site, and their capital was Uttarakosamangai.The temple organizes several major festivals, including Chithirai, Tirukkalyanam, Thervila, and Arudra Darshan.
Uthirakosamangai Temple Timings:
It is considered to be the world’s first and oldest Shiva temple. The idol of Nataraja, which is made of emerald stone and covered in sandalwood paste for eleven months of the year except January, is another reason for this temple’s fame.
The opening and closing timings of Uthirakosamangai Temple is 6.00 am -11.00 pm, 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm
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.
Uthirakosamangai temple Location:
uthirakosamangai mangalanatha swamy temple, Ramanathapuram Road, Utrakosamangai, Tamil Nadu 623533.
Festivals Celebrated at Uthirakosamangai temple:
The Uthirakosamangai temple’s major festivals 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). The Tiruvathidirai festival in December draws a big crowd of tourists.
Uthirakosamangai Temple Distance:
Thiru Uthirakosamangai Temple is 18.2 kilometers away from Ramanathapuram railway station, the closest intersection. The best route to go to Thiru Uthirakosamangai Temple is via the Madurai railway station which is 112.1 km.
The closest airport to Thiru Uthirakosamangai Temple is Madurai, which is 117 kilometers away.
Ramanathapuram to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 26 min (18.2 km) via NH87 and Ramanathapuram Rd
tamilnadu to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 4 hr 16 min (238.4 km) via NH536
Madurai to uthirakosamangai temple distance – 1 hr 46 min (111.1 km) via NH87
PARAMAKUDI to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 40 min (35.1 km) via Kochi – Madurai – Dhanushkodi Rd/Madurai-Rameswaram Rd
Dhanushkodi to Uthirakosamangai temple distance – 1 hr 56 min (91.0 km) via NH87
Uthirakosamangai Temple Images:
