Sri Mangalambika sametha Praananatheshwarar Temple

Sri Praananatheshwarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirumangalakudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Prananatheswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangala Nayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

The temple house a five-tiered gateway tower known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mangalapureeswarar and Mangalanayagi being the most prominent.

Legend
Thirumangalakudi is known as “Panchamangala Kshetram” (five items of prosperity). The village is named “Mangalakkudi”, the Goddess’s name is “Sri Mangalambika”, the sanctum tower is called “Mangala Vimanam”, the holy water is “Mangala Theertham” and the Vinayakar of this temple is called “Mangala Vinayakar”.

The legend of this temple is that it was built by Alaivaanar in the 11th century. Alaivaanar was a minister of King Kulothunga Chola-I and he built this temple using the tax revenues but without the sanction (approval) of his King. When the king came to know about this, he asked his soldiers to arrest him and behead him. The minister accepted the punishment but requested the king that he be buried at his native place,Thirumangalakkudi.

However, Alaivaanar’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 minister got rebirth here, the goddess is praised as “Sri Mangalanayaki” (the one who returned the “Mangal Sutra” to the widow) and the lord is praised as “Sri Praananatheswarar” (“Praanam” means life in Tamil).

Another legend associated with this place is that of Sage Kalava. The sage was informed that he would soon be affected by leprosy disease. In order to prevent it, he performed rigorous penance and prayed to the Navagrahas. It is believed that the Navagrahas informed Sage Kalava that they did not have the powers to grant such protection to anyone. Angered by this, the sage cursed the Navagrahas that they would also be affected by the same disease which he was expecting to get afflicted by. The Navagrahas then prayed to Lord Shiva for relief who advised them to go to this place and worship him for 11 consecutive Sundays. As advised by Lord Shiva, they performed penance here. On completion of their worship, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared before them and relieved them from the curse.

The place where the Navagrahas had performed penance is now known as “Suryanar Koil”. Since then it has become a custom that the devotees who wish to go to Suryanar Koil, do so only after worshipping the lord here. In Suryanar Koil, separate shrines for each of the nine planets can be seen.