The Visit to this Sri Arulmigu
Kathiresan Kovil at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( EzhaNadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilising
this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic
Ramayan associated sites in Sri Lanka.
Presiding Deity : A Spear / Vel
Some of the salient features of this
temple are...
The Temple is facing east with
balipeedam and Peacock vahana are in side the mukha mandapam. In the sanctum a Vel is installed as a
presiding deity. In the praharam sannidhi for Vinayagar, Murugan, Nagar, Maha Lakshmi,
Navagrahas and Natarajar Sabha.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum
sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The complete temple
was reconstructed with bricks. The adhistanam of padabandha adhistanam with
jagathy, Kumudam and pattigai, on a upanam.
The bhitti starts with vedhigai. Brahma kantha Pilasters are with Kalasam,
kudam, mandi, palagai and pushba pothyal. The Koshtas are of Sala type. The
prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Bhoomi Desam. A two tier Vimanam is on
the adhistanam. Stucco images of Murugan's sitting postures and standing
postures on the greeva koshtam. The Sigaram is of Vesara Style with maha nasis
on the 4 cardinal directions.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that during 19th century, a
devotee and a Monk of Murugan from South
India came to the then old Anuradhapura installed a Vel and a
Subramaniyar in a shed and worshiped.
Some Devotees joined as a team and started the Adhi Kathiresan temple near
Snana Tank /Snana kulam. Since the place was not adequate, The Saiva devotees S
Saravanamuthu, Thunnalai Chellaiah, S Chitrambalam, T Murugesa Pillai, S N
Chitrambalam, Lawer Ramaswamy, Lawyer Sivakozhunthu and the villager, once again started a new
temple at Anuradhapuram Mavadi after getting 2 acres of land as donation in the year 1927. In 1930 kumbhabhishekam was
done after completion. In 1955, the yanthra was stolen and kumbhabhishekam was
conducted to the Murti.
In the mean time The Anuradhapura has become sacred and new
temple was constructed in a 4 acre land at the junction of Jayanthi mavatha
street. The foundation was laid by Ser Kanthaiya Vaidhyanathan and Thiru S
Mani. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th September 1964, through
Achuveli Siva Sri S Kumaraswamy Gurukkal. This temple was constructed as per
the Vedasivagama by Thangavelu Achariya.
The present structure was
constructed in 2012 - 2013. After reconstruction of the temple and Parivara Sannidhis Punaravarthana ashta bandhana
Navakundapaksha Maha Kumbhabhishekam Vinjaapanam was conducted on 27th January
2017.
As per the Gurukkal, initially a Vel
was worshiped as the presiding deity. Latter idols of Sri Valli Devasena was
installed as presiding deities. Once again the Vel was installed as a presiding
deity. When and why the presiding Deity was changed is not known.
LEGENDS
It is believed that worship of
Murugan as Kathiresan was started in the form of Vel only from the ancient
times and the same was replaced the idols of Murugan at a latter date. But
still, exclusive Vel in the sanctum sanctorum is worshiped as presiding deity
in some of the places in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu as Kathiresan ( Kovilpatti, Thiruparankundram
( Moolavar is bas relief ), Chennai Chrompet Kumaran Kundram, etc ).
The shape of Vel is sharp on the
tip, wider at the top and long below the wider portion. This shape signifies that
one’s knowledge should be sharp, wider and deep. Hence Vel is considered for
the Victory and Knowledge.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas Special
poojas are conducted on Tuesdays, Shasti, Karthigai Nakshatra days, Vaikasi
Visakam, Kandar Sashti festival ( October November ) etc., are celebrated in a
grand manner,
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened
between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Gnanachandran Gurukkaal +94252225436
HOW TO REACH
The temple is very close to
Anuradhapura flyover about 1.3 KM from New Bus Stand, 1.8 KM from Anuradhapura
Railway Station, 1.9 KM from Anuradhapura New town Railway Station, 137 KM from
Colombo, 201 KM from Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka.
Nearest Railway station is
Anuradhapura and Airport is Anuradhapura about 7.5 KM.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :
CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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