Madhangeeswarar Temple, Nangur – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east, but the entrance is from the western side. The temple covers an area of about half acre. There are two Nandis with two Balipeedams housed on the same peedam in the outer prakaram in front of the maha mandapam. One Nandi is facing towards east and another Nandi is facing towards west. The Nandi facing towards east is called as Swetha Nandi and the Nandi facing towards west (sanctum) is called as Mathanga Nandi.
These Nandis are also called as Father in Law Nandi (Mamanar Nandi in Tamil) and Son in Law (Mappilai Nandi in Tamil). It is believed that getting the darshan of both the Nandis on Pradosha days is equivalent to getting Pradosha darshan of 108 Shiva Temples. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Madhangeeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Lord Brahma in the koshta graces the devotees in sitting posture. He is praised as Yoga Brahma. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier. Navagrahas shrine can be seen in the north eastern corner of maha mandapam. The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is called Ekadala Vimana. Mother is called as Mathangi / Raja Mathangi / Mathangeeswari.
She is housed in a separate south facing shrine to the right side of the Nandi mandapam. She is four armed. Her upper hand holds lotus & discus and lower hands shows the abhaya and varada hastha. There is a separate shrine for Anandha Vada Bhadra Maha Kali Amman in the southern prakaram. She is eight armed (Ashta Bhuja) holding several weapons. Her image is made of wood. She is not seated on a peedam instead she is seated on a swing. It is unique and rare position nowhere to be seen.
It is considered auspicious to have her darshan when the swing moves to and fro. It is said that kumbabhishekam is performed to this Kali for every five years. The idol is taken on street procession on this day. Shrine of Mathanga Maharishi can be seen next to the Kali shrine. Shrines of Valanchuzhi Mathanga Vinayaga, Prasanna Subrahmanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Maha Lakshmi can be seen in the western prakaram.
There is a shrine for feminine form of Lord Vishnu (Mohini) in the northern prakaram. He is praised as Narayana Perumal Narayani. He is depicted with conch, discus and with Ananda Mudra (symbol of bliss). It is a rare darshan nowhere to be seen. Sthala Vrikshams are Vilvam, Purasu and Vanni. They are located in the southern prakaram. Theertham associated with this temple is Mathanga Theertham.
