Kulasekharapatnam Sri Mutharamman Temple, Thoothukudi

Address

Kulasekharapatnam Sri Mutharamman Temple, Mutharamman Thirukovil road, Kulasekharapatnam, Thiruchendur circle, Thoothukudi district Tamil Nadu 628203 Phone: 04639 250 355

Diety

Gnana Murthi Eswrar Amman: Mutharamman

Introduction

Sri Mutharamman Temple (Kulasai Mutharammam Temple) is located in Kulasekharapatnam near Thiruchendur in the Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is 1000 years old. Navarathiri Dussehra festival is the grandest festival in this temple. More than 1,500,000 devotees celebrate together here. This Temple is for Goddess Meenakshi called Mutharamman & Lord Siva in the name of Gnana Murthi Eswarar. Hence forth the town has been named after the Maharaja. Sri Mutharmman temple is located at Kulasekhara pattinam village near Tiruchendur 55 km south of Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu) on the East coast Road route to Kanya Kumari.

Puranic Significance

The town Kulasekerapatanam got its name from King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandian. Kulasekarapandian (Maharaja) + Pattinam (town). The deities worshipped at this temple are Goddess Muththaramman and Lord Ganamoorthiswarar, where the presiding deity is a self-manifested Goddess Kali. It is highly believed the goddesses guards the Village and will help her devotees during their hardship. The name behind the goddess is as she is worshipped by the ornaments made of pearls taken from the nearby sea. Generally, only Swayambu idols are chosen for worship in temples. Mother appeared in the dream of a worker and asked him to make an idol of her and send it through an archakapriest coming from Kulasai. She also informed priest in his dream of her instructions to the sculptor and advised the archaka to install it near the swayambu. Thus goes the story that Ambica Herself chose her idol form. Legend say, if two planets mutually occupy the houses belonging to each other, it is called Parivardhana yoga. For example, Shukra may be in the house belonging to Mars and Mars in turn may be in the house of Shukra-Venus. Similarly, Mother had exchanged Her Power with Lord and Lord in turn had offered His powers to Mother in this temple. The Mantra used in the Shakti puja, Yantra the copper plate installed under the Mother idol according to religious rules and traditions and the Thantra the puja codes are followed in this temple as in Mother Meenakshi temple in Madurai. Small pox appears on the body of the affected as pearls which people use to call Muthu in the body. As a remedy, people use to store water around the Goddess to bring the heat of the boils-Muthu down and dry them. Mother thus cures the patient. Hence the name of the Mother in the temple, Muthu- (pearl) Attru (treating) Amman-Goddess – Muthattruamman – Mutharamman. In this seashore temple, Lord and Mother are on the same peeta facing north. People pray here for relief from small pox. They also pray for child boon. Those suffering from leprosy pray here for 41 days with fasting, get cured. So those mentally retarded seek asylum at the feet of Mother Mutharamman.

Beliefs

Those affected with small-pox, handicapped, mentally retarded pray in the temple for relief and it is the experience of the devotees that Mother Mutharamman responds to their prayers without delay. People who lost their properties earlier, meeting loss in business say they had recovered their assets after praying to Mother. They firmly believe that Mutharamman is the guardian of their welfare. Devotees light Mavilakku, a lamp made of rice flour mixed with ghee, undertake body circumambulation-Anga Pradikshina, carry fire pots, Vel Ambu Kuthal-punching the cheeks with needles are the prayer commitments practiced by the devotees. Some organize feeding-Anna dhanam and Hundi contribution.

Special Features

In this temple Goddess Muththaramman and Swami Gnanamoorthiswarar vigraham are installed combined together. This is also one of the special features of the temple. Such a combined vigraham is not found elsewhere. In the Garbhagriha, Swami and Goddess shower their blessings to the devotees as Swayambu Murthigal. The temple consists of three Mandapams: Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Kodi Mandapam. Though this is a Shiva Temple, all importance is for Mother Mutharamman as to Mother Meenakshi in Madurai.

Festivals

Dasara day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honoured belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful. Hence, all the undertakings be it laying of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day. In this temple Dasara is being celebrated as a big festival. Lakhs of people are assemble here to celebrate this festival. This temple stands unique amongst the other temples, which celebrates Dasara