Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Sri Lanka

Address

Nallur kandaswamy Temple, Kovil road, Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Diety

Murugan Amman: Valli and Deivayani

Introduction

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is a significant temple, located in Nallur, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. The presiding deity is Lord Murugan in the form of the holy ‘Vel’ in the Sanctum, the primary shrine, and in other forms, namely, Shanmugar, Muthukumaraswami, Valli Kaanthar with consorts Valli and Deivayanai, and Thandayuthapani, sans consorts in secondary shrines in the temple.

Puranic Significance

Nallur Kandaswamy Temple are traced back to the 15th century when it was built by Sanpaha Perumal, the adopted son of King Bhuvanekabahu the King of Kotte. The temple which was at Sankili Thoppu was demolished by the Portuguese General Philip de Olivera in 1621. The Dutch took over the Jaffna District in 1658. A church was erected in the site at Sankili Thoppu where the temple stood. It is believed that the first temple was built in 948 AD on the land called ‘Kurukkal Valavu’ Due to foreign invasions the temple had to be re-constructed several times in different places. Due to political reasons the Temple was shifted from place to place in Nallur area. It is believed that there was a shrine dedicated to an Islamic Sufi Saint located within the complex from 1734 to 1749 when the temple was built. This was relocated in 1749 when the Temple was built. The fourth and the present temple was constructed in 1749 AD during the Dutch period by Krishna Suba Iyer and Ragunatha Māpana Mudaliyar in the ‘Kurukkal Valavu’ which was the original premises of the temple. Ragunatha Māpana Mudaliyar was the Shroff at the Kachcheri, Jaffna. He had a good rapport with the higher officials of the Kachcheri. He obtained permission from the government officials to rebuild the temple. The Temple was initially built using bricks and stones and it had a cadjan roof. The original shrine had only two main halls and there was no clock tower or any surrouding courtyard or enclosing wall or any ornately carved towers or Gopuram. The first clock tower was erected in 1899 and the main hall where the Vel or lance of the deity resides was refurbished using rocks in 1902. The first enclosing wall was erected in 1909. The descendants of Ragunantha Māpana Mudaliyar have been the trustees of the temple right along. The present incumbent Kumaradasa Māpana Mudaliyar has been gradually renovating the temple from time to time making it spacious and accessible to the large and unmanageable crowds which throng the temple during festivals. In 1964, the “Vasantha Mandapam” or grand hall was renovated to have the present attractive and grand look. The main entrance of the temple is facing the East. In the main entrance there is on ornately carved five storeyed tower or gopuram in Dravidian architecture style. There is also a small gopuram and six bell towers. The Tamil word murugu means beauty. Lord Murugan is the one who possesses beauty which is perfection. Beauty and perfection are inseparable twins. Where there is beauty and perfection there is Divinity. Lord Muruga is the embodiment of Beauty, Perfection, Truth, Love and Divinity. The divine utterance of Lord Muruga “Why fear when I am here at Nallur” is always ringing in the ears of Murugan devotees. The firm and strong belief of the devotees is that Lord Muruga would extricate / rescue them from all problems sufferings and difficulties in life. Yogar Swami has said “The moment I think of the Feet of the Lord residing at Nallur, I forget everything. I surrender to Him. He is my Refuge”.

Special Features

The temple faces the east and exhibits an ornately carved five storied front Kopuram, 6 bell towers and the Kopuram of ArumugaSwami. The entrance hall has an intricately designed arched ceiling, which appears like floating clouds between two worlds. Two gigantic, creatively carved teak doors studded with multitude of silver bells lead into the inner court. On either side of the doors stand two magnificently carved temple guards- Thuvarapalar. To the south of the inner court are deities of Muttukumaraswami and Arumuga Swami. To the north are temples housing Ganesha, Valli and Theyvayanai, Santhana Gopalar, and Gajavalli Amman. The north eastern corner is referred to as “Chitamparam” and reveals a magnanimous portrait of the cosmic dancer Lord Shiva in motion and his 116 dancing poses. To the north of the inner court is the Nantavanam, Vasanta Mandapam and the temple for Vairavar . The eastern side displays the sanctum for Surya and the Yaga mandapam. The south accommodates the theertha keni with a large exquisitely designed Vel strategically placed in the centre and the lone nirguna aspect of Kumaran, namely Dandayudhapani. It is believed that temples are founded by God Himself, designated often in a vision or dream of a devout devotee. Though the original Kumaran temple was constructed in accordance with Saiva Agamas, in later years decisions were taken to avoid constructing a stupa (a structure accommodated in the holy sanctum) and adopt a mandalaya style (a community centre format). In later years, this led to criticism from the traditionalists. However, when attempts were made to rectify this, rumour has it that Lord Kumaran appeared in a dream to assure that the present format was to his liking.

Festivals

The Annual festival begins with the hoisting of the flag – the Kodietram. The cloth for hoisting is obtained ceremonially from the Saddanathar Temple in the neighbourhood. This temple was patronized by Ariyachakravarthi – a king of Jaffna. The festival is spread over a period of twenty five days during which period various Yāgams Abishekams and special poojas are conducted. The ceremonies are conducted in the Moolasthānam, the sanctorum. The annual festival is a religious inspiration to all Hindus. The major religious festivals people flock to witness are the Manjam, Thirukkarthikai, Kailasavahanam, Velvimanam, Thandayuthepani it’s a am, Sapparam, Ther festival procession, Theertham – the water cutting festival, and Thirukalyanam – The holy wedding. The Ther Thiruvila (chariot festival) is the most popular