Monday, August 20, 2018

Chokkanathar Temple, Thirumangalam, Madurai

Chokkanathar Temple, Thirumangalam, Madurai
Chokkanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirumangalam near Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Chokkanathar and Mother is called as Meenakshi. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The Temple follows Karanagama tradition. The place was called as Tirumangalya Puram in ancient times.


Legends
Lord Shiva came down to Madurai to wed Mother Meenakshi. The Devas from the celestial world also came to attend the function and gathered at a place near Madurai. They melted gold and made the Tirumangalyam for the wedding. Before doing so they wanted to perform Shiva Puja. Pleased with them, Lord Shiva granted Darshan with Mother Parvathi even before the wedding.

Based on this event, Lord is called Sundareswarar and Mother as Meenakshi in this temple also. As desired by the Devas, Lord accepted to stay in this temple also. As the Tirumangalyam was made here, the place was named Tirumangalyapuram which in later days changed as Tirumangalam. In the years that followed, kings built the temple.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Chokkanathar. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Lord Shiva is facing east. Mother is called as Meenakshi. Mother is facing south from a separate shrine. There are shrines for Lords Vilwa Vinayaka, Mangala Dakshinamurthy, Lord Murugan with consorts Valli and Deivanai on peacock vahanam, Kasi Viswanathar, Sun with Usha and Chaya Devi, Nagar, Sri Anjaneya facing west and Mother Ashtabuja Durga are in the prakara of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple is Akasha Ganga.


Yoga Saneeswarar is gracing from a separate shrine. Those under the planet’s adverse aspect pray here for relief. Two trees – Vilwa and Vembu – are together in the temple representing the Arthanareeswara form with Lord Vilwa Vinayaka. As the trees are considered reverently as Lord and Mother, Vinayaka under the tree is revered as if sitting on their lap. It is believed that Lord Vinayaka would fulfill the wishes of the devotees. People worship him with grass garlands and offer rice pudding – Kozhukattai in Tamil, to achieve excellence in education and for happy wedding, child boon, family prosperity and health.


Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Festivals
Chithirai wedding festival in April-May; Masi Maga and Maha Shivarathri in February-March are the festivals celebrated in the temple
Prayers
Those facing undue delays in marriage and under adverse planetary aspects on the issue, pray to Mother Meenakshi and Lord Chokkanathar performing abishek and offering vastras to realize the wish. They place the Mangal Sutra (Thali in Tamil) at the feet of Lord and Mother seeking their blessings for a happy married life. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation of the temple.
Contact
Chokkanathar Temple,
Thirumangalam – 625 706,
Madurai District
Phone: +91 452 234 2782
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Thirumangalam Market Bus Stop, 250 meters from Sandhai Pettai Bus Station, 1.5 Kms from Thirumangalam Railway Station, 22 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 22 Kms from Koodal Azhagar Temple, 22 Kms from Periyar Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 24 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 15 Kms from Thiruparankundram and 21 Kms from Madurai International Airport. Town buses are available from Periyar Bus Stand and from Mattuthavani Bus Stand. 
Location