The Visit to this Sri Malleeswarar
Temple at Mannamaravathi, Kovilmedu, Nilakottai, was on the previous day of the
“Mangala Devi
Kannagi’s Adichuvattil Heritage Walk” - organized by Kumbakonam
Vattara Varalatrua Ayvu Sangam, on
22nd – 23rd April 2024. After attending a marriage at
Nilakottai on 21st April 2024, I visited this temple. Pradosham
poojas are in progress during our Visit. This temple is believed to be one of the
Siddhar Peedam.
Moolavar : Sri Malleeswarar
Consort : Sri Mangalanayagi.
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east, with an entrance arch. Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the east-side entrance. Moolavar is on a
square avudayar. Dakshinamurthy is only in the koshtam.
In
praharam, Varahi Amman, Chandikeswarar, Pathanjali Munivar, Navagrahas, and Samhara
Bairavar with 8 hands.
Varahi
Ashtabhuja Bairavar
Pradosha alangaram
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple Gramiya style adhistanam bhitti,
prastaram, eka tala greevam, and Nagara sigaram. No stucco images were found on the
vimanam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that the temple is 300 years old and celebrates its 288th
year Panchami thithi days. The temple was reconstructed about 28 years ago.
The old mandapam, pillars, and pothyals are used for the pavement and footpath. As
per the iconography of the sculptures, the temple may belong to the 16th
– 17th century.
A
19th – 20th century inscription flat stone is erected
about 50 meters in front of the temple. The inscription records some gift
given to this temple, and the details are not known.
The
temple and Thimmaraya Perumal Temple on the opposite side of the road are under
the control of the Sri Agobila Narasimha Perumal Temple of Nilakottai. Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08th May 2017.
It
was told that a 1567 CE Cheppedu is available with a person from the Village and
the same records of the lands gifted to this temple.
An inscription slab stone is installed about 50 meters before the temple
LEGENDS
It
is believed that this temple is one of Siddhar Peedam due to the presence of
Patanjali Siddhar.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri
days, and both Theipirai and Valarpirai Panchami thithi days.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
The
temple is about 500 meters from Madurai on the Theni main road, Kovilmedu,
Mannamaravathi.
Kovilmedu,
Mannamaravathi, is about 9 km from Kodai
Road Railway Station, 28 km from Dindigul, 45 km from Madurai, 51 km from Theni, and 68 km from Kodaikanal.
The nearest
Railway station is Kodai road.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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