The Legends of Thiru Uttaraikosamangai

Ramanad also known as Ramanathapuram in Tamilnadu houses one of the most elegant ancient temple called the “Uttaraikosamangai Temple” The temple is built in Dravidian style architecture. This is believed to be a 3000 year old temple of Mangalanathar and Mangaleswari and a Nataraja made of Emerald are the main deities of this temple. The Temple is considered as the first shiva temple of the world. The temple named Uttirakosamangai – where Uttiram means preaching, Kosam means Secret Mangai means Woman, here it denotes Goddess Parvathi, as the name suggests here is the place where Shiva tells the Secret of the universe to Goddess Parvathi. The temple also has two separate enterances one for Lord Shiva “Mangalanathar” and one for Goddess Shakti “Mangaleswari” which is unique, As all temples usually have one main entrance and inside it may house Gods under different Vimanas(towers).

Gopuram for Mangalanathar

Gopuam for Mangaleshwari

The interesting and unique aspects of this temple are that it houses a monolithic emerald statue of Nataraja, “Maragatha Natarajan” which is one of its kind as is perhaps the only statue known to be made of emerald, it is believed that emerald is a sensitive soft stone and it cannot withstand the vibrations and sounds made by musical instruments such as Madhalam and others, it could break with loud vibratons. Therefore, this emerald Nataraja statue is covered with the sandal powder all over the year. The Nataraja idol is covered in Sandal Paste and abishekam is performed to the God only once in an year during Thiruvathira Nakshatram of Marghazhi maasam that occurs in Dec-Jan and is the birth star of the Lord. After Abhishekam the idol is kept covered in Sandal Paste for the rest of the year to maintain the delicate idol in cool conditions throughout the year. One can wonder how a statue that cannot withstand the sound can be chisel carved, It is believed that the sculptor of this statue sculpt this Natarajar statue by the Mind sculpting method, even without touching it.

Dikapalakas

 The wonders of Shilpa Shastra can be explored in the beautiful sculptures found here, the pillars have beautiful lions carved out of stone, some of the carved lions have a round stone in its mouth that moves. This is the only temple where Thayamboo (Screwpine flower) that is banned in all Siva temples is allowed here, as this is the place where Brahma and the Flower Thayamboo that gave false evidence in favour of Brahma were absolved of their curse.

Mandapam at the temple

Every ancient temple has stories of its origin and association with mythology. This temple is believed to house the Kula Devata of Ravana and Mandodari. It is a well known fact that Ravana was a staunch Devotee of Shiva. Ravana and Mandodari’s wedding is supposed to have taken place here. It is one of the rare shiva temples that possess the three forms of worshiping Lord Shiva that is in a Moorthi (Idol) form, As swaymbo Lingam and as Agnee Theertham. So here goes the story Long ago King Ravana visited Mayasura (The King of the Asuras) and there he met a beautiful maiden “Mandodari”  who was the daughter of Mayasura. Ravana was instantly in love with her and asked for her hand in marriage. Mandodari was a Siva Bhakta and wanted to marry a man who was a great Shiva devotee. Ravana was a Shiva Bhakt and she therefore married Ravana. As time passed and she did not bear a child, she decided to do a severe penance  of Lord Shiva. Shiva was pleased with Mandodari’s penance and decides to appear before her and he tells 1000 rishis doing penance to keep the Vedas safe.

Illandimaram

Shiva appears to Mandodari in the form of a small child and Ravana Catches hold of the Child hurting it. Shiva then takes the form of Agnee and 999 Rishis burn in the fire to attain moksha, while one remains to take care of the Vedas. Siva Appears in the form of a Sahasra Lingam (1000 lingams merged into one) The one Rishi who remains to take care of the Vedas is the poet saint Manicka Vedavyasar in a later birth. The Mediyadi(footwear) of the saint exists under the a 3000 year old tree (Illandi maram) to this day and the place where Siva Appears in Agnee form is the Agnee Theertham at Utirakosammangai.