Murugan Temple, Kovanur, Sivaganga
Murugan
Temple is located at Pillur Village near Kovanur in Sivaganga district of
Tamilnadu. This is the sacred place for Siddha medical practitioners and those
using Siddha medicines for worship.
Legends
Rajaguru of Sivaganga Kings:
There
was a little boy in Kovanur named Sathappan ever in the thought of
Almighty. While wandering in the forest, he supplied water to thirsty
sages there. Pleased with the boy’s behaviour, with a view to bring out
the spiritual power in him, they taught him a Mantra. When he grew old, he
made this temple his home and came to be known as Sathappa Gnani. This is
the little boy – Sathappa Gnani was instrumental for the emergence of
Sivagangai Cheemai. He was the Rajaguru of Sivaganga kings.
Siddhas collecting Pooneer from this Temple:
Sage
Agasthya, after worshipping Poovana Nathar in Tirupuvanam was proceeding to
Kanaper to worship Lord Kaaleesar and it was sunset time then. He prayed to
Lord and created a spring for his puja. While in meditation, the spring
water in his Kamandala – a hand bowls with a handle) touched a plant nearby and
made it Pooneer – Flower Water. This is the water used in Siddha
medicines.
To
gather this water, Siddhas and Siddha practitioners come to this temple for the
darshan of Lord Muruga before 6.00 a.m. on the Poornima day – full moon day in
Chithirai – April – May, Thai Poosam in January – February, Masi Magam in
February – March and Panguni Uthiram in March – April to gather this Pooneer.
Sage Agasthya
realizing the sacredness of the place of his Ishta Devatha and Guru Lord
Subramanya installed him with his consorts Valli and Devasena. The sage also
pursued the Pandya King to install the Murthi Prathishta.
The
Temple
Presiding
Lord Muruga in the temple reminds us the very appearance of that of the Lord in
Thiruchendur. The peacock Mandap is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Idumban
shrine is in the north of the entrance near the tower. Lord Kasi Viswanatha
with Mother Visalakshi and Lord Vinayaka grace the devotees from separate
shrines. The peacock in the Mandapam is sculpted beautifully as catching a
snake in its mouth.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
The
temple is functioning with only one time puja a day. Aipasi Skanda Sashti in
October-November; Panguni Uthiram in March-April and Tiru Karthikai in
November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
A
proverb in Tamil says, no medicine is superior to Chukku (this is generally
known as dried ginger) and no God superior to Lord Subramanya. Those
affected with serpent planet aspects, those consuming Siddha medicines for
serious ailments and those practising Siddha medicine should seek the blessings
of Kovanur Sri Muruga for best results. Devotees facing adverse aspects of
serpent planets believe that Lord Muruga on his peacock Vahana would rush for
their protection.
Connectivity
Pillur
village is 7 km from Sivaganga on the Madurai road. Buses from Sivaganga bound
to Tirupuvanam and Poovandhi pass through this village. Kovanur Murugan temple
is 2 km south of this village. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Sivaganga and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
