Thursday, September 1, 2016

Murugan Temple, Kovanur, Sivaganga

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.