Thirumanancheri Kalyanasunderaswarar Temple
Thirumanancheri Temple, also known as the Sri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple, is a venerable Hindu shrine in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. This sacred site is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds great significance as a venue for conducting marriage ceremonies. It is widely regarded as a potent place for bestowing marital happiness and addressing marital challenges.
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Deities of Thirumanacheri Kalyanasunderaswarar Temple:
Lord Kalyanasundareswarar (Shiva): The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Kalyanasundareswarar, an aspect of Lord Shiva. Kalyanasundareswarar translates to “The Lord who blesses with a prosperous marriage.” Devotees visit this temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for a happy and successful married life. The deity is often depicted in a wedding posture, symbolizing marital bliss.
Goddess Kokilambal: Goddess Kokilambal is the consort of Lord Kalyanasundareswarar. She is considered a powerful deity who grants the prayers of devotees related to marriage. Kokilambal is often depicted with a parrot (kokila) on her shoulder, and she is believed to represent the ideal wife and a symbol of marital harmony.
Story behind the Thirumanancheri Temple:
Once, Lord Shiva and Parvati engaged in a celestial game of dice, which escalated into a heated quarrel. In a fit of impulsive anger, Shiva transformed his beloved wife into a cow. Realizing his mistake, Shiva sought the assistance of Lord Vishnu to restore Parvati to her original form. Vishnu, assuming the guise of a cowherd, protected his “sister” and lifted the curse at a location called “Thiruvaduthurai.”
Parvati then purified herself by bathing in the Kaveri River and assumed the identity of Bharatha Muni’s daughter in that region. Eventually, the sage presented the girl to Lord Shiva, who joyfully proposed marriage once more. This momentous event took place at the site now known as “Thirumanancheri.”
Significance of the Thirumanancheri temple:
A visit to this temple is often regarded as a profound and transformative experience for individuals facing challenges in finding a suitable life partner. Through the observance of prescribed religious rituals, individuals frequently discover a renewed sense of hope on their matrimonial journey. Furthermore, it is customary for married couples to visit the temple together and offer sacred gifts, known as prasadam, at the temple pond.
The unwavering faith in the temple’s effectiveness draws pilgrims from far and wide, all in search of the divine blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to ensure prosperous marriages. This tradition has its roots in a captivating legend starring Manmathan, the God of Love. During a period when Lord Shiva was deeply engrossed in meditation, Manmathan inadvertently released one of his love-infused arrows at Shiva, disturbing His profound concentration. In a fit of anger, Shiva responded by unveiling his third eye, ultimately reducing Manmathan to ashes.
Rati, the grief-stricken consort of Manmathan, implored Shiva for mercy and the restoration of her beloved’s life. Touched by her fervent pleas, Shiva not only revived Manmathan but also bestowed “Mangalya Pichai” upon Rati, reuniting the divine couple. Since then, it is believed that Manmathan himself offers prayers to Shiva at this hallowed site, a testament to the enduring power of love and forgiveness.
Thirumanancheri Temple Timings and Poojas:
During its operating hours, the temple offers free darshan tickets, and it also conducts daily Astottaram and Sahasra Namarchana from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm. If you’re interested in participating in a pooja, you can conveniently purchase tickets online for various offerings, including daily darshan, special pooja/puja, sevas, abhishekam, and accommodation, through the official Thirumanancheri Temple website.
The priest conducts marriage poojas from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday). On weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), these poojas are performed from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
How to reach Thirumanancheri Temple:
The closest railway stations to Thirumanancheri Temple are Kuttalam, Mayiladuthurai, and Kumbakonam. The nearest airport, Tiruchirapalli, is situated approximately 115 km away from the temple. Thirumanancheri is accessible via road or train from these significant locations, and both railway stations offer regular train services connecting to major towns and cities throughout Tamil Nadu.