Veera Azhagar
Perumal Temple, Manamadurai, Sivaganga
Veera Azhagar
Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located near
Manamadurai in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. The temple was built in the
13th century. The Vada mala – a garland made of Vada a popular dish of the
South- does not go stale even after a month. It is a 14th Century AD temple located
on the banks of Vaigai River.
This
place is referred to as Vanara Veera Madura Puri after the Vanara Army was
energized here as they resumed their search for Sita. This place is also
referred to as Stula Karana Puri, Somanatha Puram and Vilva Vanam. It is located
just under 50 kms East of Madurai on the Eastern banks of Vaigai. Vaigai flows
in a unique North South direction here at this place.
Legends
Azhagar directing Maavali Vaanathi Raya to build Temple
on the banks of Vaigai:
Maavali
Vaanathi Raya ruled this place from his palace about 2 kms east of this temple
- currently referred to as Kallikottai Mound. It was his daily practice to ride
his horse to Azhagar Koil in Thiru Maalirun Cholai for a darshan of Kallazhagar.
When on consecutive days, he could not make it to Azhagar Koil, the Lord of
Thiru Maliruncholai asked him to build within his territory a temple for him.
When
asked for the exact location, the Lord directed him to a place where Noopura
Gangai flows as Vaigai and splits into two. He asked the king to build the
temple at one place and the temple tank in the other. Four kms from the temple
is Alankara Kulam (named after the sister of King Maavali Vaanathi Raya), the
sacred temple tank. Perumal comes here once a year for Theerthavari Utsavam.
Story behind the name Manamadurai:
In the
Thretha Yuga, the vanara army reached here in search of Sita. Finding a
Brindavana and a lot of fruits, the Vanaras destroyed the Brindavana and ate
all the fruits and got themselves intoxicated forgetting the reason behind
coming here. Rama and Lakshmana reached here, boosted their energy
and reminded them of the task on hand. Through this, the vanara army got
‘Veeram’ again. Hence this place has come to be referred to as Vanara Veera
Madura Puri, which in course of time became Vana Madurai and later Mana
Madurai. Even today, this place is referred to as Vanara Veera Madura Puri in
all documents.
Vibheeshana presenting princely crown to Hanuman:
Hanuman
is believed to have come here after the war and enjoyed the Vanam and Vaigai
river banks. He told Rama that he would like to stay back here. Vibheeshana is
believed to have presented his princely crown to hanuman here. To ensure that
another Ravana should not emerge, it is believed that the tall 6 1/2ft Hanuman
stayed here facing south keeping an eye on Lanka in an ever watchful posture. Sita
is also believed to have presented a 3day feast to Hanuman here as a payback to
the service rendered by him.
History
The
temple was built during the rule of Ugra Kumara Pandya, Jatavarman Pandya and
Maavali Vaanathi Raya. There are several inscriptions on the outer prakara
dating back to the rule of Jatavarman Pandya, King of Tirupuvanam, Parakrama
Pandya, Somadeva Nayak, Maaravarman Pandya and Sundara Pandya.
The
Temple
Presiding
deity is Sundararaja Perumal with Sri and Bhoo Devi in an East Facing Standing
Posture. Thaayar is Soundara Valli Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi).
Utsavar is Veera Azhagar. 200 years ago, it is believed that Gajendra
Moksham event was enacted at Aara Mani Kulam, the tank opposite the temple. For
the Thiru Kalyana Utsavam, Veera Azhagar makes his way to the Thaayar Sannidhi
on the Elephant Vahana. The Hanuman idol facing south is said to pre date the
temple. The temple is under the administration of Sivaganga Devasthanam.
Anjaneya Sannidhi:
In the
Perumal Temple Hanuman is enshrined, with the highly unusual feature of a crown
on his head, reflecting the local belief that Hanuman was crowned here before
leaving for Lanka. According to one account the name of the town is derived
from the visit, which in Tamil is described as Vanara Veera Madurai, which has
become Manamadurai. The crowned Hanuman is enshrined near the entrance of the
Vaishnavite Veera Alagar Koil temple on the east bank of the river.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.00 .m. to 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 a.m
Festivals
10 day
Chithirai Thiruvizha in April-May is grandly celebrated as in Madurai temple.
The event called Ethir Sevai (welcoming festival) is celebrated on the 4th day
and on the fifth day, Azhagar steps into the river. Brahmotsavam including
Kalyana Utsavam is celebrated in Aadi month (July-August) Vaikunda Ekadasi in
December-January, Hanuman Jayanthi in Margazhi, Rapathu and Pagal Pathu
(festival during days and nights) are also important festivals celebrated in
the temple.
Contact
Veera
Azhagar Perumal Temple,
Manamadurai,
Sivaganga District
Mobile: +91 – 96596
66223/ 92451 99132
Connectivity
Manamadurai
is 46 km far from Madurai on the Rameswaram route. The temple is in the heart
of the place and could be easily reached. The town is well connected by
road to all the cities and towns in Tamilnadu. The Manamadurai panchayat town
Bus terminus situated at the Madurai - Rameswaram national highway caters to
the road transportation of the town. Buses ply every 15 minutes between Madurai
and Manamadurai (Rameswaram bound buses).
Manamadurai Junction serves the town
with state capital Chennai and other places. The Silambu
Express starting from
Manamadurai running Bi-Weekly connects the town with Chennai. The Rameswaram
express and Sethu express run through Manamadurai also connect the town with
state capital. Also there are good number of Passenger trains from Madurai and
Trichy passing through Manamadurai towards Rameswaram.
References
