Arulmigu Mangalambika Udanurai Prananadeswarar Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Traditionally the Linga-Bana is shorter than the height of the Avudayar the seat or peeta. The Linga part is taller than the Avudayar part in this temple. Also against the tradition of celebrating the wedding festival during day time, it is celebrated during night in this temple. Similarly the wedding feast also takes place during night instead of in the day. This is celebrated on the seventh day of Brahmmotsavam. The event includes reception of the bridegroom party, Lord and Mother exchanging garlands, Oonjal and the wedding at about 9.00 p.m. followed by wedding feast. While entering Lord Shiva shrine, Mothers Mahalakshmi and Saraswati (without Veena in hands) are on both sides of the shrine as Dwarapalakis.  Still noteworthy is that they are sitting in Padmasana style.  There are two Natarajas in the Prakara with Mother Sivakami.  There is a Boodha Gana playing a musical instrument under the feet of the Nataraja near the main Nataraja.  There are two theerthas in Prana Natheswarar temple in the prakara called Surya and Chandra theerthas.  It is said that these two planets considered the two eyes of Lord Shiva are in the Theertha-Spring form to cool their Lord.  Abishek Water for the Lord is drawn from these springs.  Mother Vishnu Durga is in the Shiva goshta.  Shiva Durga is behind the Somaskanda shrine.  Mahishasura the demon is absent in both places.   Mother Cauvery is in the form of an idol next to Durga in the Shiva shrine.  On the 18th day of Aadi Tamil month – July-August special pujas are dedicated to Cauvery. Lords Vishnu, Brahmma, Mothers Kali,Ambica, Akashavani, Bhooma Devi, Sage Agasthya and Sun God had worshipped in this temple.  Lord Muruga is praised as Shanmuga. The temple was renovated during the 11th century by Kulothunga Chola.  It is under the management of Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. The temple is praised as Pancha Mangala Kshetra.  1) The name of the place is Tiru Mangala Kudi, 2) name of the Mother is Mangalambica, 3) the sacred spring is Mangala Theertham, 4) The Vimana –Mangala Vimana and 5) Lord Vinayaka is praised as Mangala Vinayaka, all auspicious. The Navagrahas in the temple prevented a disease to befall on Kalama Muni.  Angry Brahmma cursed planets with that disease.  They came to this place, performed penance on the Swayambu Linga 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 Bana of the Linga is taller than the Avudayar in this temple.  Sage Agasthya,  short in stature, offered the flowers to Lord raising his hands over the Linga. There is no special Navagraha-the nine planet shrine in the temple.  There is a separate temple for the planets in Suriyanar Kovil in the northeast direction of the temple.  It is to be noted that a single temple is constructed as twin temple. Hence those visiting Suryanar Koil for relief from planetary adversities should visit  Prana Natheswarar temple first and then only proceed for the Navagraha temple as a rule. 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. There is a Maragatha-emerald Linga in Nataraja shrine.  Daily midday abishek is offered to this Linga with milk, rosewater, honey and sandal poured through a conch-Valampuri Sangu.  Consuming this abishek Prasad is believed to be an effective treatment for diseases.  Plantain fruits, betel nut...

ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதுவதற்கு மன்னிக்கவும் .

After having a wonderful and amazing darshan at Sri Akshaya Natha Swamy temple, we came to this temple. Though we have done the navagraha temple visits long time back, no one told us, that before visiting Suryanar temple one should visit this temple first.

Anyway, so happy we finally were able to enter the temple.

Temple face east, Lord faces east, Beautiful rajagopuram present and it faces east too. Kodimaram present, Temple pond present infront of the temple, full of water, and some what properly maintained too.

Temple was kind of busy but not that many people in the sanctum sanctorum. It was so nice, and we started reciting our thiruvasagam song, as the priest was showing the aarathi.

After he gave the prasadam, he stood near us to listen to what we were reciting. After we finished, he asked us, "were u reciting the Sivapuranam", i said, yes we were reciting the sivapuranam. The priest said, it was very nice. we bowed to him and said , all the praise should go to the Lord.

I wanted to go out, since i was sweating a lot, but my wife stopped and said, "please say that thevaram song also". i asked her which one ?. she said the one you were saying at home recently. I said ok, and we went and stood facing the Lord and started to recite the "Potri Thiruthandagam".

"Potri Thiruthandagam" was sung by Appar Peruman, in praise of the Lord of Kailash. It has 10 stanza and the first stanza goes like this

வேற்றாகி விண்ணாகி நின்றாய் போற்றி மீளாமே ஆளென்னைக் கொண்டாய் போற்றி ஊற்றாகி உள்ளே ஒளித்தாய் போற்றி ஓவாத சத்தத் தொலியே போற்றி ஆற்றாகி யங்கே அமர்ந்தாய் போற்றி ஆறங்கம் நால்வேத மானாய் போற்றி காற்றாகி யெங்குங் கலந்தாய் போற்றி கயிலை மலையானே போற்றி போற்றி

As we were reciting it in full flow, the priest was standing there watching us and listening to the recitation. Once we finished the recitation, i don't know what happened, the priest went into the sanctum sanctorum, and took a garland which was on the Lord (lingam), came back and put it on my neck.

Don't know what to say..............

The priest asked us what was that song, and we explained to him who sung it, which Thirumurai it is, and what is the song about, etc etc. He was so so happy to listen to us. He thanked us for coming to his temple and reciting that song.

My wife was laughing at me and telling me, "see you were singing Thiruvasagam, the Lord kept quiet, and when you sang the Thevaram song, he appreciated it, and acknowledged it with a garland.

I smiled.................................

Wonderful, amazing temple, wont forget it this temple in our life, for the sheer beauty of the temple and also the fact that we were blessed by the lord.

Both Thiruganasambandar and Appar peruman have sung pathigams on the lord of this temple.

one of the song from Thiruganasambandar pathigam.

சீரி னார்மணி யும்மகில் சந்துஞ்செ றிவரை வாரி நீர்வரு பொன்னிவ டமங்க லக்குடி நீரின் மாமுனி வன்நெடுங் கைகொடு நீர்தனைப் பூரித் தாட்டியர்ச் சிக்கஇ ருந்த புராணனே. 1

one of the song from Thirunavukarasar pathigam

செல்வ மல்கு திருமங் கலக்குடிச் செல்வ மல்கு சிவநிய மத்தராய்ச் செல்வ மல்கு செழுமறை யோர்தொழச் செல்வன்...

Beautiful Shiva temple. One must visit this temple before visiting Suriyanar Kovil, the Sun temple. It is believed that Sun and the navagrahas prayed to Lord Shiva here and were rid of leprosy disease (due to a curse).

It is a short distance from the Sun temple - less than a km away.

Sri Prananatheswarar is famous for providing relief from all ailments. People come here and eat the curd rice in front of the Lord given in arka leaf (on Sundays??)- one who visits 9 weeks is believed to benefit from this ritual. One can contact temple for more details in this regard.

Goddess is vara prasaadi (bestows boons) & women pray here for marriage/marriage related issues.

One should spend minimum of 30 minutes here and pray. Do not engage in chitchat/mobile browsing etc while in the temple. Pray in silence and experience inner peace. Chant any shloka/stotra/mantra of the Presiding Deity. If you are initiated in any mantra of the deity, then sit and do atleast 1 mala japam (108 times).

Dovotees must light at least 1-2 pure cow ghee lamps here in the temple. It is believed that pure cow ghee lamps lit in clay diyas at such potent temples bestow one with all the goodness, ward off the malefic effects of the navagrahas and one's prayers are answered.

Beware of the cow ghee lamps sold in most temples - they may not be real ghee at all. One should use only edible pure cow ghee. Carry it with you if possible (ghee, lamps, wicks, match box and a cleaning cloth etc) - you will save money and have peace of mind about the quality...