Utharakosamangai

We went to this temple mainly to have Dharshan of the Emerald (Margatham) Natarajar on 9th January 2020. The only day/ Night in a year the diety will be in Emarald ( without being covered by Sandal Paste)

History

This temple seems to be more than 3300 years old as the Ber tree in the temple as per the archaeologists is 3300 years old. Lord shiva is known as Mangalanathar and Godess Parvathi as Mangaleswari. The name suggests that praying in this temple will give welfare. the other attraction in this temple is Lord Natrajar. It is made of Emerald ( margatham). Lord NAtarajar is in Sandalpaste throught the year. the old Sandal paste is removed on arudhra Dharshan day and new sandal paste is applied. More than 50000 thousand devotees will visit this temple to have the dharshan of Lord Natrajar in original emerald on that day. To have seegra dharshan we paid for the Rs 250/- Dharshan ticket. The free dharshan took more than 10 hours.

As per legend Mangalanathar Temple is considered as the first shiva temple of the world.

The shiva linga in this shrine is Swayambu, (ie) self created not sculpted by sculptor)

The Mangalanathaswamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai is considered the Kasi of the south ie) Dhakshina kasi.

Ravana, and his wife Mandothiri in the Ramayana worshiped the lord shiva of Thiru Uthirakosamangai.

Ravana-Mandothari Marriage occasion was held and headed by the Lord Shiva of the Uthirakosamangai Temple.

Mahabharata character parikshit worshiped the Mangalanathar of this temple.

Valai veesi vilayaanda padalam (The fishing incident) mentioned in the Thiruvilaidal puranam happened in the Uthirakosamangai.

This is only temple where thazhambu (Pandanus odorifer flower / Screw Pine Flower / Ketaki flower) is used for worship.

There is a mythical story related with this.

Thazhampoo has a strong fragrance. But it’s not used to worship in Lord shiva’s temple except on Maha Sivarathiri and in the Thiru Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathar temple.

As per the legend this flower gave false evidence in a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma regarding their argument on who is greater.

The dispute was settled by a condition as to he who see either end(head or feet) of Lord Shiva is greater than the other. Brahma went up to see the head and Vishnu went down to see the feet. After several days Vishnu could not find the feet and he sat in deep meditation and realized that he is not the greatest. Lord Brahma also traveled several days and could not see the head and was about to return when he saw this flower coming down. The flower said that it is coming from the head of Lord Shiva. Brahma requested the flower to give evidence in his favour that he has seen the head. They came told to Lord Vishnu that Lord Brahma has seen the head of Lord Shiva. Immediately Lord Shiva appeared and was very angry with Lord Brahma and Thamzhampoo for telling lie. He plucked the 5th head of Lord Brahma and cursed that Brahma will not be worshipped at any temple. Also cursed Thazhampoo that the flower should not be used to worship him in any temple.

Thalampoo performed a penance in Thiru Uthirakosa mangai temple, asking to forgive it for its mistake. After a long penance of Thalampoo lord shiva offered it a concession that it would only be used in Uthirakosamangai Temple and also he made a concession that the flower may be used only on the Maha Siva Rathiri nights.

Manickavasagar, the 9th century Tamil saivite saint poet has revered Mangalanathar and the temple in his verses in Thiruvasakam, compiled as the Eighth Tirumurai.

There is a separate small shrine with in this temple for The Poet Manicka vasagar.

Accesability

The temple can be reached from Ramnathapuram by road. It is 17 KMs from Ramnadhapuram. It can also be reached from Paramakudi by road. Normally Devotees make a combined trip to Devipattinam, Sethukarai, Thirupullani and Utharakosamangai from Ramnad. Town buses are available from Ramnad. There are many taxis and autos near the bus stand and cover all the places. We travelled by Auto from Thirupulani as we stayed overnight there.

Hotels

We didnt see any hotel in Uthrakosamangai. But good hotels are available in Ramnathapuram. We stayed in Malola Bhavan run by Ahobila mutt at Thirupullani and travelled from there.