Mangalanathar Temple, Uthirakosamangai
Also known as: மங்களநாதர் கோயில் (உத்தரகோசமங்கை) · మంగళనాథర్ ఆలయం, ఉత్తరకోసమంగై · मंगलनाथर मंदिर, उत्तरकोसमंगै
Tamil Nadu Shiva
An ancient Shiva temple near Ramanathapuram with a 6-foot emerald (Maragatha) Nataraja, kept covered in sandal paste through the year.
- Deity
- Mangalanathar (Shiva), Mangalambigai (Parvati), Maragatha Nataraja
- Tradition
- Shiva
- Place
- Uthirakosamangai, Ramanathapuram
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Sacred tank / theertham
- Agni Theertham, the temple tank. Sethu Madhava Theertham and Lakshmana Theertham are also named as sacred waters nearby.
- Era
- Said to be about 3,000 years old, built by 1,000 Shiva devotees (a claim marked 'citation needed' in the source).
Sthala Puranam
Shiva appeared as a fireball to hundreds of rishis, to honour the penance of Mandodari, wife of Ravana.
Of the rishis who threw themselves into the fire from the tank, 999 died and one saved the Vedic books. Shiva then appeared as a Sahasralingam (a thousand lingams).
The surviving rishi is said to have been reborn later as Manickavasagar.
Speciality
- A 6 ft (1.8 m) old Maragatha (emerald) Nataraja, said to be unique. It stays covered with sandal paste through the year.
- On the day before Arudra Darshan the sandal paste is removed and the image is shown to the public.
- The temple is said to be about 3,000 years old. The source marks this claim 'citation needed'.
- A Mangaleswari Amman shrine is within the complex.
Festivals
- Arudra Darshan (the main festival; sandal paste removed the day before)
How to reach
By airMadurai Airport, about 100–110 km.
By trainRamanathapuram station, about 17 km.
By roadAbout 17 km west of Ramanathapuram town. Buses run from Ramanathapuram and Mudukulathur.
Location is approximate.
Before you go
- Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
- Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
- Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
- Arudra Darshan (Margazhi) is the one day the full emerald image is seen. It is very crowded; plan ahead.
Prayers for this temple
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against the sources listed above. If you find a mistake, please tell us.