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Saturday, June 6, 2020

Prananadeswarar Temple, Tirumangalakudi – Legends

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.