Tirumangalakudi Sri Prannathaswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tirumangalakudi Sri Pranawadeeswarar Temple, Thirumangalakudi Thirumangalakudi Post Thiruvidimaruthur Circle Thanjavur District Pin – 612102 PH:0435-2470480

Diety

Prana Nadeeswarar, Amman: Mangalanayaki, Mangalambigai

Introduction

Thirumangalakkudi is situated at a distance of about 17 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai route (Via Kathiramangalam). It is about 2 kms from Aduthurai on the Aduthurai to Thirupananthal route. It is very near to Suriyanarkoil, a famous Navagraha temple. Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Kuthalam, Therezhunthur, Thirukkozhambam, Thiruvaduthurai, Thiruvelvikudi, Ethirkolpadi, Thirumanancheri, Thirukkodikkaval and Kanchanur. There are six stone inscriptions in this temple which relate to the period of Chola Kings Kulothungan, Rajarajan and Pallava King Kopperunsingan. This temple was renovated during the 11th century by Chola King Kulothungan. Now this temple is under the administrative control of Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. Thala Virutcham : Kongu, Ilavu and Vellerukku Theertham : Mangala Theertham (Cauvery) Also Surya and Chandra theerthams

Puranic Significance

Alaivanar, a minister of King Kulothunga Chola built this temple without the sanction of the king using the revenues of the state. Knowing this, king ordered to behead the minister for his act. The minister had already instructed his men to take him to Tirumangalakudi for cremation. His wife fell at the feet of Mother Mangalambica and begged that her husband to awake alive and promise the longevity of her mangal sutra. A voice was heard that her prayer would be responded. The minister woke up alive and healthy. He rushed to Lord, embraced Him crying Jeevadhayaka. Lord Prana Natheswara is worshipped as Jeevadhayaka also. The minister and his wife prayed to Lord that all women should be blessed with Mangalya longevity. Lord and Mother granted this boon to the minister couple.

Beliefs

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 Ambica 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. 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 Mangalambica 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 feedingAnnadhana.

Special Features

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 Ambica is offered as Prasad to women awaiting marriage promising a good match. Women take these threads from Ambica, 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 Ambica 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.

Festivals

10-day Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept).