Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar Temple,
Kulamangalam, Pudukottai
Sri Perungaraiyadi Meenda Ayyanar Temple is one of
the famous temples in Pudukkottai District, Tamil
Nadu. It is located at Kulamangalam in Alangudi Taluk. The
temple’s history is dated back to 18th century. The temple is in the bank of
Villuni River.
History
The temples history is dated back to 18th century. The
exact year in which the temple is constructed is not known. The temple is
currently maintained by the Tamil
Nadu State Government.
Like in many Ayyanar temples, this temple also located
in the border of the village as a means of securing and assuring wealth and
health for all. The temple is in the bank of Villuni River.
An elephant Idol facing opposite the Horse Idol
As per the researchers, there used to be a big Elephant
idol facing opposite to the Horse idol in this Temple. This was considered one of
the significance of this Temple, since it is very rare practice to construct an
Elephant idol in an Ayyanar (The Horse) Temple that too facing opposite of the
Horse idol.
It was learned that during one of the heavy monsoon
season, the flood in the Villuni River had completely destroyed the Elephant
idol thus by leaving only the base of the Elephant idol. This temple is taken
care by Tamil Nadu government.
World’s Biggest Horse Idol
The Horse Idol is of mammoth 37 feet height with the
front legs are in the Air and the others in the ground. The Idol is facing the
South side. It's one of the finest creative of the ancient Tamilians. The structure is so unique in its construction and
Devotees believe that it is the biggest Horse idol in the world.
Festivals
A two days grant festival is celebrated during Masi
Magam or Masi Makam. Though there are regular Pujas in the temple, considerable
number of devotees visits on Monday and Friday of every week throughout the
year.
On these festival days, garland as big as the height of
the Horse Idol wore to it by devotees who had it as a promise upon realizing
their prayers. Every year there would be minimum more than 1000 garland, hence
leaving only the Horse nose visible. Separate iron rods are built to hang the
garland, thus by protecting the idol not damaged by the heavy weight.
Devotees from the nearby villages and from various part
of the State gather in thousands on these days to worship the Ayyanar and get
his blessings.
Garland Decorations
On these festival days, garland as big as the height of
the Horse Idol wore to it by Devotees who had it as a promise upon realizing
their prayers. These garlands are not made by natural flowers since it takes up
to a week for a person to thread a one. The agents who specialised in making these
huge garlands start advertising and accepting the orders two/three months
before the festival itself.
This is a custom found nowhere else in the world. Every
year there would be minimum more than 1000 garland, hence leaving only the
Horse nose visible. Separate iron rods are built to hang the garland, thus by
protecting the idol not damaged by the heavy weight.
Renovation 2010
The Temple is recently renovated by contributions from
devotees and it was initiated by the former Alangudi MLA Mr. A.
Venkatachalam. A new Temple Mandapam is
constructed to add to the beauty of ancient Kuthirai (The Horse) which also got
re-painted as part this. After the renovation, the Maha Kumbhabhishekam
happened on 22, May 2010. There were around 20 thousand people gathered on that
day do get the blessings of Ayyanar.
K. R. Periyakaruppan, the minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments of Tamil Nadu was an honourable guest of this festival.
The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was followed by a grand Annadhanam
(lunch) for all the devotees. There were 400 cooks involved in preparing the
meals. More than 1500 devotees came forward to serve the delicious vegetarian
food to the gathering.
Connectivity
By Bus: Bus services are available to Kulamangalam from
all places in Tamil Nadu, However from Thanjavur Bus stop there are many buses
to Kulamangalam which is 30km away.
By
Train: Thanjavur Railway
Station is major railway station 6km near to Kulamangalam. From here buses and
autos are available.
By
Flight: Nearest airport to Kulamangalam
is Trichy Airport which is 83 km away. From here taxis and buses are available
to reach the temple.