Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Kumaran Temple, Nagapattinam

Kumaran Temple, Nagapattinam
Sri Kumaran Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located at Neela South Street in Nagapattinam Town. Presiding Deity is called as Meikanda Moorthy.

Legends
Lord Murugan curing his devotee from Leprosy:
One Alagumuthu was serving in the temple as the security man. His service was unfortunately terminated as he developed leprosy. Stricken with poverty, he used to enter the temple secretly and prayed to Lord for relief. One day, before he left the temple, the doors were closed and he was trapped inside. He could not bear his hunger. Lord Muruga appeared before Alagumuthu, cured his disease completely and quenched his hunger. Lord also gifted Alagumuthu high proficiency in Tamil to sing poetries. Lord Muruga was known as Meikandamurthy.  In course of time, the temple came to be known as Kumaran Koil.
Anandarangam Pillai, Builder of this Temple:
Karmukeeswarar Temple being one of the 12 Shiva temples of Nagapattinam was on the banks of Uppanaru River. With the commandments of King Megarajan, pujas were regularly performed in the temple as per rules. In later years, the temple was dilapidated. Idols of the temple including that of Lord Muruga got buried under the soil. 
Lord Muruga appeared in the dream of one Anandarangam Pillai, who was serving under the British in Puducherry as Dubashi (person knowing English and the language of the soil – here Tamil and English) and told him of his lying under the soil in Nagapattinam.  He asked him to build a temple for him near the Kayaroganeswarar temple in South Street. Thus Kumaran Temple came into being.
Indira gifted his Iravadham to Lord Murugan on his Marriage:
It may be recalled that Indira gifted his Iravadham the white elephant to Lord Muruga on his wedding with Deivanai. In the place of the peacock, this elephant is installed before the shrine of Meikandamurthy-Lord Muruga. 
Prayer centre seeking wealth:
As Kubera too is installed in the temple, this is considered a prayer centre seeking wealth.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Meikanda Moorthy. There are shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Kubera, Mother Durga, Navagrahas the nine planets, Lord Viswanatha and Mother Visalakshi in the temple. Saint Arunagirinathar had sung the praise of the temple in his celebrated Thirupugazh. In the place of the peacock, this elephant is installed before the shrine of Meikandamurthy – Lord Muruga.


Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Navarathri in September-October, 10 day Thaipoosam in January-February, Kubera Puja on Deepavali Day (Aipasi New Moon day) are the festivals observed in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees suffering from skin problems and leprosy pray in the temple and consume the water Prasad (Theertham) in the belief it cures them. Devotees perform milk abishek to Lord Muruga.
Contact
Sri Kumaran Tirukkovil,
Neela South Street,
Nagapattinam – 611 001
Mobile: +91 99941 98391 / 94429 29270
Connectivity
The temple is near the Nalukal Mandapam bus stop on the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur route. Town buses are available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nagapattinam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.