| Description:
This Shivastalam is located in the vicinity of Suryanaar Koyil and Kanjanur near Kumbhakonam. It is believed that this temple
should be visited first before proceding to Suryanar Kovil enshrining the Nava Grahams.
Tirumangalakkudi is considered to be the 38th in the series of the
Tevara Stalams located in Chola Nadu north of the river Kaveri. Legends:
Parvati is said to have been relieved of a curse (wherein she had assumed the form of a
parrot) here; this incident and the divine marriage are believed to have happened on
Makara Sankaranti - hence Mangala Kshetram. A devotee of Shiva was brought back to life at
this shrine, in response to please from his wife to Mangalanayaki. Sambandar is said to
have arrived here after visiting Kanjanur and Tirumaanturai.
The Temple: A five tiered gopuram adorns the entrance to this temple
with two prakarams covering an area of about 3 acres. Murals depicting the
stalapuranam are seen in the Ambal shrine. There are inscriptions dating back to the
Pallavas, Raja Raja Chola and the Vijayanagar Emperors.
Festivals: Four worship services are offered each day. Panguni
Uthiram, Arudra Darisanam, Padinettaam Perukku, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, Aadi Pooram
and Skanda Sashti are the festivals celebrated here. Click
here to listen to a recording of Sambandar's kOLaru
patikam by the author. |
