Mahalakshmi Temple, Krishnarayapuram - Mahadhanapuram,
Karur
Mahalakshmi temple is situated in Mahadanapuram, 23 Kms
from Karur town. This temple is in a remote village and very few vehicles
ply on the road. The Motorable road is well canopied on either side by coconut
trees.
This temple is about 800 years old and this temple
becomes a beehive of activity during the Aadi (Tamil calendar
month) festival.
Devotees participate in a bizarre festival of
breaking coconuts on their heads in return for fulfillment of their wishes. The
priest of the temple breaks the coconut on the heads of devotees. This ritual
has drawn a lot of flak from many agencies but devotees in the name of faith do
not deter from this.
It is strongly believed that Goddess of Earth
Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth governs prosperity, happiness, beauty and
love will bestows Her grace and love on her worshipers.
Location
The temple is situated in Mahadanapuram-Krishnarayapuram
in Karur district. Bus facilities are conveniently available from Karur.
History
Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Temple, Mettu Mahadhanapuram,
Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District was built by Vijayanagara Emperor Sri
Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) on the banks of river Cauvery. The presiding deity
Arulmigu Mahalakshmi of this shrine is being worshiped as the family deity by
Kannada speaking Kurumba community people, (shepherds by occupation) and
certain sections (Mummudiyar Gotra) of the 24 Manai Telugu Chettiars. However
the shrine is attracting all Hindus belonging to all communities.
Story of Kurumba Nayanar
Goddess Mahalakshmi is truly a goddess of wealth and
protection In this temple there is a beautiful statue of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
She looks so beautiful and divine. We can really feel her caring eyes on us
when we stand in front of her. The Sanctum sanctorum of Amman temple is
east facing and the temple has three prakaram or corridors and you will find
many more shrines devoted to parivara devtas.
Once, a King by name Sivaperuman ruled over a small and
happy kingdom called Perumizhalai region. Saivite Saint Kurumbar Nayanar (one
of the 63 Nayanars) was serving the King. Kurumbar Nayanar has adopted Saivite
Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar as his Guru and was commanding respect from the
public for his devotion to Lord Shiva. The name Kurumbar Nayanar has strong
association to his shepherd community and was born on Chithirai star day in the
Tamil month of Aadi (July August). He used to take sufficient food and other
essentials packed in a woolen cloth and dispatch it from the border of the place.
The Kurumbas or shepherds were grazing sheep. The woolen
fabric was made from the hairs of the sheep. Nayanar was simple in nature and
was noted for austerity by all. He held Lord Shiva in his heart and led a life
dedicated to the Lord. As he was ever chanting the hymns of Sundarar, the
Tiruthonda Pathikam in particular – the 10 verses in praise of all the
Nayanmars at the Tiruvarur Temple, Kurumbanayanar attained the great powers
mentioned in our scriptures as Ashtamasiddhis. He was also ever chanting the
Five Lettered Mantra called Panchakshara – Na Ma Si Va Ya.
When Kurumba Nayanar came to know that Lord Shiva
decided to recall Sundaramurthy Nayanar, his Guru to Kailash, Kurumba Nayanar
decided to reach Kailash before his Guru with the help of Yogas as he could not
live on earth in the absence of the Guru. This episode is described in the
great Tamil Epic Periyapuranam.
Sri Aadi Mahalakshmi was the family deity of Kurumba
Nayanar. Sri Mahalakshmi came into being when the milk ocean was churned by the
Devas and the Demons. Lord Vishnu was distributing the Nectar to the Devas and
the poison (both came from the milk ocean) to the demons. As demon Andhakasura
was slipping away from the place to avoid the poison, he saw Mahalakshmi and
was tempted to get her.
When Mahalakshmi ran away from him, he chased her up to
Mettur Mahadanapuram where the Kurumbas were grazing their cattle. Mother
Mahalakshmi hid herself in a hole. Incidentally, Ravana was performing penance
there. On seeing Mahalakshmi, Ravana was afraid that she had come there to kill
him and immediately left for Lanka. Andhakasura chose the Ravana’s place for
hiding.
Mahalakshmi was consuming the milk of the sheep which
the Kurumbas noticed with surprise. They dig a wet place and found Mahalakshmi
as a Swayambu (self manifested). She begged the people to protect her from the
Demon to test their devotion which people also understood. They covered the
Goddess in the woolen cloth. But the demon fought with them and also caught
Lakshmi.
People prayed to Lord Shiva but he did not listen to
their prayers and did not turn up. As the three-eyed Shiva did not turn up, the
devotees chose the coconut also having three eyes as Shiva and began to break
it on their heads. Pleased with their determined devotion, Lord Shiva appeared
and protected Mahalakshmi.
Stone Shaped Coconuts
Sometime back, the villagers of the temple wanted to
construct the compound wall around the temple. The marked place was cleaned and
upon digging they found 187 numbers of coconut shaped stones. This event
surprised the devotees and the stone coconuts are preserved and displayed in
the glass case for devotees to witness.
Story of Trichy - Karur Railway Line Laying
When the British were trying to build a railway line
between Trichy and Karur, The railway line was planned across the temple
by the British. This was against the wishes of the villagers of Mahadhanapuram.
Incidentally the British happened to see the coconut shaped stones obtained
beneath the earth. The British wanted to test the devotion of the villagers and
they came out with a proposal.
The course of the railway will be changed if the
villagers agree for one condition. They should demonstrate that if they
could break these stones with their heads, they would change the course of the
railway line. The villagers broke the stones and the same was broken into two
halves. As a result the line was shifted towards northern side and now running
1.5f km away from the temple.
Prayer and Offerings
Devotees pray to Mother Mahalakshmi for removal of
obstacles in marriage alliances and for child boon and achievements in
education. The annual Aadi festival of Sri Mahalakshmi amman Temple at Mettu
Mahadanapuram is being celebrated on ‘Adiperukku Day’ i.e, 18th day of the Aadi
month and on the 19th day of Aadi month the a traditional annual ritual of
chief priest breaking coconuts on heads of devotees as part of their
fulfillment of vow will takes place.
This will be the main part of the second day function of
‘Adiperukku’. Thousands of people from many parts of Tamil nadu, Kerala,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will participate in this annual ritual. . The
devotees will gather in front of the temple and a priest will smash a coconut
each on every registered devotee’s head.
As the coconuts broke into pieces, some devotees may rub
their heads and some others may collect the broken pieces of coconuts as a holy
offering. Occasionally bleeding was noticed over the heads of few devotees and
they just apply the holy ash as remedy.
Uniqueness
The reputation of the Mahalakshmi temple in
Krishnarayapuram-Mettur Mahadhanapuram is the strange manner of the devotees
tonsuring and breaking the coconuts on their shaven heads. The tradition
continues even now.
Rituals
Devotees tonsure their hair and break the coconuts on
their heads on the Adiperukku festival day.
Temple Timing
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00
p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Contact
Sri Mahalakshmi Temple,
Krishnarayapuram,
Mahadanapuram-639 106,
Karur district