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