Thiru Uthirakosamangai

Thiru Uthirakosamangai is a Village located in the Ramanathapuram district, it is nearly 17 km away from the Ramanathapuram main bus stand. The Hindu God Mangalanathar – Magaleshwari Temple in the Thiru Uthirakosamangai is the main attraction among the tourists and the pilgrims. This temple is specially worshipped by devotees for marriage and child related problems. It is one of the rarest shiva temple possess the three forms of worshiping lord shiva ie) Moorthi (Deity), Virutcham (Tree) and theertham (Sacred water).

Mangalanathar-Magaleshwari Temple

It is considered as one of the most ancient temples in India , In the ancient tamil literature the sacredness of the thiru uthirakosa mangai is mentioned as “Man Mundhiyo Mangai mundhiyo” which can be translated in english as “uthirakosa mangai exist before the creation of mud in this world” Legend says that this temple exist before the age of Ramayana.The age of the “Ber Tree” also known as Ziziphus jujube or Indian date (tamil: இலந்தை மரம்) in this temple is calculated by archaeologists as 3300 years old (research conducted by the State government).

This place is believed to be where Lord Shiva transferred the secrets of Vedas to the goddess Parvati. Uthiram means “secrets”, kosam means “to say” mangai refers to lord parvathi devi, hence this place is known as Uthira Kosa Mangai. (It is also said as lord shiva explains the meaning of the Pranava Mantra OM to the parvathi).

Specialities of the Temple

It is believed that problems related to the Sins of the Previous birth, Jathaka (Birth chart) dhosas, Marriage related problems, delayed marriages will be solved if one visit and prays(goddess and god) the Ambal & Shiva Linga of this temple.

It is also believed that worshipping god and goddess of Uthirakosamangai temple on the various occasions of a day gives various benefits.

Worship in the morning gives relief from previous birth sins
Worship in the afternoon gives relief from this birth sins
Worship in the evening gives longevity and wealth

Stories Related with Thiru Uthirakosamangai

1. The Story of Thalampoo

Thalampoo (Pandanus odorifer flower / Screw Pine Flower / Ketaki flower) is generally not used as a flower of worship for Lord shiva, but only in this Thiru Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathar temple it is used in the worships of lord shiva, and offering in the prayers. There is a mythical story related with this, let’s see that story in short.

Thazhampoo has a strong fragrant. But it’s not used to worship in Lord shiva’s temple except on Maha Sivarathiri and in the Thiru Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathar temple.

As per the legend this flower gave false evidence in a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma regarding their argument on who is greater.

The dispute was settled by a condition as to he who see either end(head or feet) of Lord Shiva is greater than the other. Brahma went up to see the head and Vishnu went down to see the feet. After several days Vishnu could not find the feet and he sat in deep meditation and realized that he is not the greatest. Lord Brahma also traveled several days and could not see the head and was about to return by that time he saw this flower coming down.

The flower said that it is coming from the head of Lord Shiva. Brahma requested the flower to give evidence in his favour that he has seen the head. They came told to Lord Vishnu that Lord Brahma has seen the head of Lord Shiva. Immediately Lord Shiva appeared and was very angry with Lord Brahma and Thamzhampoo for telling lie. He plucked the 5th head of Lord Brahma and cursed that Brahma will not be worshipped at any temple. Also cursed Thazhampoo that the flower should not be used to worship him in any temple.

After This incident the Thalampoo perform a penance on Thiru Uthirakosa mangai temple and asking to forgive it for its mistake, after a long penance of Thalampoo lord shiva offer it a concession that it would only be used in Uthirakosamangai Temple and also he made a concession that the flower may be used only on the Maha Siva Rathiri nights.

2. The Story Of Sahasra Lingas (1000 Shiva lingams) in this Temple

Long ago “Mandothari” (Wife of Asura King Ravana) decided to marry man who is a great Shiva devotee.and she married Ravana , But she can’t give birth to a child .So, She did a severe penance onLord Shiva.

Shiva told the 1000 rishis (Aspirants) who perform penance in Uthirakosamangai, that he is pleased with Mandothari’s penance and he is going to earth to appear for her. He told them to keep the Vedas safely until he returns back from the Lanka . Lord Shiva appeared in a baby form to Mandothari. Ravana understood the child is Lord Shiva himself and touched that baby. At that time, Shiva turned as a fire as he wants to test Ravana.

Everything in the universe got fire, hence the aspirants can’t able to save the vedas as told by lord shiva There is also a fireball grows in the Agni theertham of Uthirakosa Mangai temple.

Out of thousand, 999 killed themselves by falling in the fire, while one of them remained to save the vedic books. Shiva was pleased by the rishi and appeared as Sahasralingam (thousand lingams) for the 999 and one more for himself in the temple. The single rishi was believed to have emerged later as Manickavasgar in his later birth.

Facts and Bites about Uthirakosa mangai Temple

Mangalanathar Temple is considered as the first shiva temple of the world.
The shiva linga in this shrine is Swayambu, (ie) self created not sculpted by sculptor)
The temple is believed to be built by the Pandya kings, Achuthappa (1529–1542 A.D.), a Hindu ruler of Thanjavur, Muthuveerappar and other kings of Ramanathapuram district and Sethupathy dynasty at various times.
The Mangalanathaswamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai is considered the Kasi of the south ie) Dhakshina kasi.
There are three deities Mangalanathar (main deity Lord shiva), Mangaleshwari (Parvathi devi Ambal), Natarajar (Emerald Statue) serves the main attraction among pilgrims
The Natarajar idol is made up of most precious and rare emerald (maragatha) . Which is six feet (1.83 meter) tall, Normally bronze icon of Lord Nataraja will be enshrined in Saivite temples. You can not find such a huge emerald idol any where in the world.
It is believed that the emerald is most sensitive and it can’t withstand the vibrations and sounds made by musical instruments such as Maththalam and other sources, It is believed that it will got broken, so this emerald Nataraja statue is covered with the sandal powder all over the year.
During the day of Arudra Dharishanam ie) Thiruvadhirai star day of Margazhi month (Thiruvadhirai Nakshtra of Mirugashrish month) the old sandal powder is changed and new sandal powder coating is given to maragatha natarajar statue in Uthirakosa mangai
One can wonder how a statue that can’t withstand the sound can be made by chisel carving, It is believed that the sculptor of this statue sculpt this Natarajar statue by the Mind sculpting method, even without touching it.
It is believed that Ravana, and his wife Mandothiri in the Ramayana worshiped the lord shiva of Thiru Uthirakosamangai.
It is also believed that Ravana-Mandothari Marriage occasion was held and headed by the Lord Shiva of the Uthirakosamangai Temple.
It is believed that Mahabharata character parikshit worshiped the Mangalanathar of this temple.
Valai veesi vilayaanda padalam (The fishing incident) mentioned in the Thiruvilaidal puranam happened in the Uthirakosamangai.
This is only temple where thazhambu (Pandanus odorifer flower / Screw Pine Flower / Ketaki flower) is used for worship practises.
Manickavasagar, the 9th century Tamil saivite saint poet has revered Mangalanathar and the temple in his verses in Thiruvasakam, compiled as the Eighth Tirumurai.
There is a separate small shrine with in this temple for The Poet Manicka vasagar.
Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century Tamil poet has composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan in the temple. As per Hindu legend, Muruga was awarded the Airavata (white elephant) of celestial deity Indra at this place.
This Temple is 83 Km from Rameswaram.

Details in a Glimpse:

Main Deity (Moorthi)	Mangala Natha swamy consorted with Goddess Mangaleshwari Amman
Temple Tree (Virutcham)	Ber Tree also known as Ziziphus jujube or Indian date (In tamil: Ilanthai maram)
Sacred Water (Theertham)	Agni Theertham

Note: Moorthi (Deity), Virutcham (Tree) and theertham (Sacred water)

Uthirakosamangai Temple Timings

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
(The opening time is mostly extended on Shivratri, Aani Thirumanjam and Arudhara Darshan dates.)

Uthirakosamangai Temple Address

Sri Mangalanathar-Mangaleswari Temple, Utharakosamangai – 623 533, Ramanathapuram district. Temple

Uthirakosamangai Temple Phone Number:+91- 4567 221 213, 94427 57 691