Prananadeswarar Temple,
Tirumangalakudi – Legends
Prananadeswarar & Mangalambikai:
The
temple is believed to have been built by Alaivanar, a
minister of Kulothunga Chola I. Minister Alaivanar built this temple from the
revenues of his kingdom without the permission of Kulothunga Chola I. This
invited the wrath of the king and Minister Alaivanar was ordered to be beheaded
by King Kulothunga. The minister accepted the punishment but requested the king
that he should be cremated at his native place, Thirumangalakkudi.
However, Alaivanar’s wife prayed
to the goddess and begged her to save her husband’s life. Her prayer was heard,
and the minister’s life was reinstated by the goddess when his body was brought
to this place. As the Mangalyam (Mangal Sutra) of Alaivanar’s wife was saved by
bringing back Alaivanar life by the goddess of this temple, she came to be
called as Mangalanayagi and Lord Shiva came to be called as Prananadeswarar
(Pranam means life in Tamil).
Navagrahas got relieved of their curse here:
As per Hindu legend, Sage Kalva
was suffering from serious ailments along with leprosy. He prayed to
the Navagrahas, the nine planet deities. The planets were pleased by his
devotion and offered cure to the sage. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation,
was angered as he felt that the planets have no powers to provide boons to
humans. He cursed the nine planets to suffer from leprosy. The planets begged
for mercy. Lord Brahma asked them to go to Thirumangalakkudi and pray Kol Vinai
Theertha Vinayagar (Ganesh who absolved sins of planets) to be absolved from
their sins.
As per another belief, the
planets came to this
place, performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the
curse. It is thus noteworthy that Lord Shiva of the
temple cured the disease of the planets themselves who have a
control over the lives of humans. The place where the Navagrahas had performed
penance is now known as Suryanar
Koil. It is a common believe that those facing the adverse effects
of the planetary positions of Sun (Lord Suryan) should visit this temple first
before proceeding to Suriyanarkoil.
No Navagraha Shrine:
There is no shrine for Navagrahas in this Temple. It
is believed that the Navagrahas in the nearby Suriyanar Koil are the ones
belonging to this temple. This is the place where Navagrahas themselves
worshipped and got rid of their sins. So, devotees set to Suriyanar Koil, should visit this temple first to complete their worship.
Pancha Mangala Kshetra:
The Temple is known as Pancha Mangala Kshetra. The name
of the place is Mangalakudi. The Goddess is Mangalambikai. The Vimana over the
sanctum is Mangala Vimanam. The Theertham is Mangala Theertham. The Vinayaka is
Mangala Vinayaka. Everything in the temple is Mangala (Prosperity).
Shorter Avudaiyar:
The Bana of the Linga is taller than the Avudayar in this temple. There
is a story behind this unique form of Linga. Sage Agasthya is believed to have
visited this temple.
As Sage Agastya was short in stature, it was difficult for him to garland the
Lord. Hence, Lord Shiva shortened the Avudaiyar so that Sage Agastya could
offer the flowers without any difficulty. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called
as Agastheeswarar.
Curd rice nivedhana without salt
on a Vellerukku leaf:
It is also said that the Navagrahas offered curd rice nivedhana
without salt on a Vellerukku leaf to Lord. Following this belief, curd rice
nivedhana without salt is offered during the midday puja in the temple. Also,
those failing in the annual ritual for their forefathers offer this nivedhana
to Lord.
Eyes of Lord Shiva:
There are two Theerthams in this temple called as Surya Theertham and Chandra
Theertham. Suryan
and Chandran are considered to be the two eyes of Lord Shiva. Both of them are
here in the form of Theertham.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Goddess
Parvathy, Kali, Bhooma Devi, Akashvani, Surya, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and
Sage Agastya have worshiped Lord Shiva in this
temple.
