Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, (Sekkizhar Temple),
Devakottai, Sivaganga
Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Temple (also called as Sekkizhar Temple) is dedicated to Hindu
God Shiva located at Devakottai in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. The main
God of this temple is Lord Shiva known as Sri Sundareswarar and Goddess as Sri
Meenakshi. There is a saying that Lord Shiva appeared in this place on Golden
horse to bless the devotees.
It is
also called as Nagarathar Shiva Temple. Nagara Sivan Kovil is regarded as one
of the most beautiful temples of Devakottai. The temple was built by the
Nattukkottai Nagarathars of the Chettiars of Devakottai town. Hence, the temple has been built in the typical
Chettiar style of architecture. The temple belongs to 40 sections of
Nattukkottai Nagarathars.
History
Periyapuranam,
celebrated epic on the lives of Shiva devotees is venerated as the Bible of
Saivism authored by the inspired poet Sekkizhar. A Tamil scholar
Vanthondar wanted to build a temple for Sekkizhar. The basic philosophy of
Shiva worship is service to Shiva devotees. Vanthondar, a Shiva
devotee wanted to construct a temple to another Shiva devotee Sekkizhar.
But due
to circumstances, it became a Shiva temple. Yet Sekkizhar is made the
procession deity of the temple. Also there is a big temple
bell in which it is inscribed “Sekkizhar Koil Mani – Sekkizhar temple bell”. A
separate shrine was also built for Sekkizhar.
The
Temple
Mother
Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara are depicted separately in the two Rajagopurams
(main towers) in the temples. There are shrines for Nardana
Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Somaskandar, Maragatha Vinayaka,
Viswanatha Visalakshi, Vishnu, Baladhandayuthapani, Subramanyar, Mahalakshmi,
Brahmma, Durga, Chandeswara, Chandeswari, Nataraja, Navagrahas (9 planets) and
Kannimoolai Vinayaka.
Though a
Shiva temple, considering the importance to Sekkizhar, the author of the Epic Periyapuranam
telling the stories of Shiva devotees venerated as Nayanmars, the temple is
called “Sekkizhar Temple”. The five tiers Rajagopuram is located in front with Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam and Nandhi.
In
koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai are located. Sanctum is
built like mada koil with steps to climb. Ambal is in a separate temple with
Rajagopuram, Balipeedam, Nandhi and Dwajasthambam. In the prakaram, Sannadhi
for Palliyarai, Navagrahas are located. In koshtam, Icha, Gana and Kiriya Sakthi
moorthams are located.
There is
a mandapam between Ambal and Shiva’s Sannadhi to conduct important functions.
On the koshtam the sculptures instead of Yazhi are worth to watch.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Festivals
Sekkizhar
Guru Pooja with abishek and aaradhanas are devotionally celebrated on Vaikasi
Poora star day (May-June) when the Guru is taken in procession on a silver
elephant. 10 day Chithirai festival in April-May is celebrated in which Mother
Parvathi feeds sage Tirugnanasambandar. This is a very important event during
this festival.
The Nagarathars
from all over the world gather at the temple to celebrate the Navarathri
Festival during the month of October each year. After the festival of Diwali,
another festival, the Skandhar Sashti Vizha is celebrated for 7 days. The
festival is meant for the followers of Lord Murugan. The festival is celebrated
with lots of pomp and show.
Another
very important feature of the temple is the Vaara Vazhipadu or the weekly
prayer that is being done religiously for the past 60 years now.
Prayers
People
pray for removal of obstacles in marriage talks and for child boon. Devotees
perform abishek, archanas and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.
Connectivity
Devakottai
is located at a distance of 16 kms from Karaikudi. Devakottai is about 20 Kms
from Karaikudi. The temple is about 1.5 Kms from Bus stand and autos are
available from bus stand. The devotee can reach the temple in ten minutes
walking from the bus stop. Devakottai is situated on Tiruchirappalli – Rameswaram National Highway Road (NH-210).
The
nearest airport is in Madurai, about 92 km away. The nearest railway station is
'Devakottai Road' which comes under the city limit of Karaikudi, about
10 km from Devakottai, from where frequent bus services are available for
Devakottai. Regular bus services are available to all important cities of Tamil
Nadu.
References