Mangalanathaswamy Temple, Uthirakosamangai,
Ramanathapuram
Mangalanathaswamy
Temple, Uthirakosamangai is a Shaiva temple situated near Ramanathapuram in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu. The temple is believed to be built by the Pandya kings, Achuthappa (1529–1542 A.D.), a
Hindu ruler of Thanjavur, Muthuveerappar and other kings of Ramanathapuram
district and Sedhupathy dynasty at various times.
The
temple houses a 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall ancient Maragatha Nataraja idol carved out of emerald, being the one of its kind. The temple is considered
sacred along the lines of Ramanathapuram, Sethu Madhava Theertham and Lakshmana
Theertham. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mangalanathar, Mangalambikai
and Natarajar being the most prominent. The temple has six daily rituals at
various times from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and six yearly festivals on its
calendar.
The
temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment
Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple has been glorified by the
hymns of 9th-century saint Manickavasagar and 15th-century saint Arunagirinathar. The famous pilgrim center Rameswaram is just 83 km
from this place.
Mangalanathaswamy
Temple at Uthirakosamangai, near Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu is a Shiva temple.
The Nataraja icon is an antique carved out of the stone Maragatham (emerald).
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
The
temple is believed to be built by the Pandya kings. Achuthappa
Nayak (1529–1542 A.D.), a
Hindu ruler of Thanjavur, Muthuveerappar and other kings of Ramanathapuram and
Sedhupathy Kings had contributed to the temple. The last renovation was
carried out by the queen of Ramanathapuram. The temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of
Tamil Nadu.
Uthira
Kosa Mangai is a tiny hamlet, famous for the Siva temple considered to be 3000
years old. It is considered to be one of the very ancient Hindu temples which
Tamil literature describes as "Mann Mundhiyo Mangai Mundhiyo?"
meaning "Did the mud (mann) come first or is the Mangai(The Female Deity
of the Temple)?". This is the place where Siva transferred the secrets of
Vedas to Parvati. Uthiram means (upadesam) kosam (secrets) Parvati (Mangai)
hence this place is known as Uthira Kosa Mangai.
Temple
Speciality
The
presiding deity is a Swayambulinga from the Ilandhai tree here. The Emerald
Nataraja Idol in the temple is the rare one not to be seen in any other temple.
Sage Manickavasagar graces in the temple in the form of a Linga. This is the
only temple where Thazhambu (a fragrant flower) is permitted for the deity
dressing while it is banned in other Shiva temples.
Greatness
of Temple
Generally,
people visit a temple, worship once and turn back. This is a temple where
people worship thrice a day and gain more benefits. This is one such temple in Uthirakosamangai
in Ramanathapuram district.
This is
the only temple where an Emerald Nataraja idol is available for darshan of the
devotees. Also this is the only temple where the fragrant flower Thazhambu
is permitted for worship whereas the flower is forbidden for use in worship in
other Shiva temples as this flower gave false evidence in favour of Brhamma as
if he found the head of Lord Shiva. Brahmma also got relieved from the curse by
worshipping the Lord from this temple. The Lord is a swayambumurthy appearing
from the Ilandha tree which still exists in the temple.
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Religious
Significance
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Worship
& Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Contact
Sri
Mangalanathar-Mangaleswari Temple,
Uthirakosamangai
– 623 533,
Ramanathapuram
district
Phone: +91- 4567 221 213, 94427 57691
Connectivity
Uthirakosamangai
is located in Ramanathapuram district located 17 km away from district capital Ramanathapuram.
If you are planning to reach Uthirakosamangai by bus you can get buses from
Ramanathapuram New Bus stand. The Mofussil buses going to Mudukulathoor, Sayalgudi,
Aruppukkottai, Kamuthi, Thiruchendur, and Town buses (Bus No: 24, 6B, 1A, 14)
are connecting this holy place to District capital.
Nearest
Airport is located at Madurai & Nearest Railway Station is located at
Ramanathapuram.
Accommodation
– There is no accommodation facilities in Uthirakosamangai. It is better to
stay in Madurai which has good hotels or in Ramanathapuram.