- Special Features
Foundation YearSthala TreeTheerthamSamudra Theertham.RathamArchitectureDravidian architectureOther SpecialityThe temple is known over the world for wedding prayers. Any obstacle in the way disappears, it is believed. Kalyana archana is very famous in this temple which the devotee performs both before and after marriage offering two coconuts, two garlands, turmeric, kumkum, camphor, betel nuts, lime fruit, sugar and sugar candy an important item in in marriage functions. After worshipping at the shrines of all deities, devotees sit in two rows in the hall before Lord Kalayana Sundarar shrine, one seeking wedding boon, the other blessed with the boon. The priest collects the puja materials from the devotees & performs the archanas. He gives back garlands to the devotees. Couples exchange it between themselves and to those awaiting marriage, the priest himself places it on the devotee. The priest will then give instructions to the devotees as to what should they do next. It is said that the lime fruit offered to the devotee ensures health to the devotee, the garland the happiness, vibhuti to bless his/her wish, kumkum the blessing of Mahalakshmi and the turmeric all auspiciousness. Devotees keep the garland in their houses with reverence. They make juice of the lime and consume it the next day before food. After the marriage takes place, the devotee should bring back the old garland and return it to Lord Kalyanasundarar and thus complete the course of worship.
- Sthala Puran
Shiva married Parvathi at this place so the village is called marriage (Thirumanancheri). This famous temple helps to overcome the obstacles of Marriage. So many people are visiting to the temple and benefited. In the Temple, there is a special pooja for the person who seek for a nice partner. After the Marriage the Couple have to visit the temple to return or dispose the Prasadham in the Temple pond.
Shiva earthly wedding with Parvathi:
Once upon a time, Parvathy wanted to marry Shiva in an earthly marriage with all religious rites on the earth; Brahma, Vishnu and Indira came to earth as acharya in Thiruvaduthurai; while playing Chokkattan (similar to Thaayam), Vishnu won and his sister Parvathy laughed aloud; Lord Shiva was angry and said “Ada pasuve!” and Parvathy was born as a cow on earth; Vishnu became her herder at Therazhundur; Bharatha Maharishi was conducting a yaga and Shiva thought it apt to make Parvathi appear from the yaga kundam.
Thus, a divine damsel emerged from the yaga kundam and the sage Bharatha was happy to see her and considered as a holy girl. He was worried about finding a suitable groom for her. The Lord appeared in his dream and assured him that he - Shiva would marry her as she is none other than Parvathi. Shiva also wished that the sage should perform the wedding in a grand manner.
Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of Sage Bharatha that he will enter into wedlock with the celestial who appeared from Sage Kundam. Thus the Sage meticulously looked after the wedding arrangements. The divine wedding took place in Thirumananjeri which was witnessed by celestial beings. Since the Thirumanam (Wedding) took place at Thirumananjeri, this place is called Thirumananjeri.
Lord Shiva converted turtle shaped boy to handsome young man:
The following story also keeps floating around: Two girls promised each other that their son and daughter would marry in future; one got a beautiful girl while the other gave birth to a turtle-shaped boy; former refused the marriage; the latter appealed to the Lord; he converted the turtle to a handsome young man; marriage went off well; so goes the story; hence the belief is that the physical disabilities of the spouse will be either corrected by the Lord or overlooked by the other spouse; hence the marriage obstacles would be removed once you come and pray here.
Lord Shiva gave Mangalya Pichai to Rathi:
Manmadan is believed to have worshipped God Shiva here and the Lord Udhvaganathar graced ‘Mangalya Pichai’ to Rathi Devi and united both Manmathan and Rathi Devi in this kshetram.
- Architecture
The temple is facing east and was constructed by Chola Queen Sembiyan Madevi. There is a moat around the temple. The presiding deity is called as Udhvaganathar / Arul Vallal / Kalyana Sundareswarar & Ambal is called as Kuyilin Men Mozhi Ammai / Kokilambal. Udhvaganathar as bridegroom and Ambal as bride bowing her head in shyness are giving Dharshan in the moolasthanam. God and Goddess are present as newly married couple in the south prakaram. There are shrines for Lord Mahavishnu along with Upaya Nachiar, Lakshmi and Mangala Raagu God in full human form on the western side of Sanctum.
Idols of Saneeswara Bhagavan, Pachaiyappa Nathar, Rudra Vaneswarar, Pachaiamman and Nayagi Rudravaneswari are located in the eastern side. As soon as we enter the Sanctum after leaving Rajagopuram Lord Ganapathi can be seen. Then we can see Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, Mahanandhi and Mandapam (Great Hall). After leaving Katta Gopuram Varasiddhi Vinayagar can be seen in front of Vinayagar Shobana Mandapam. In Nirutha Mandapam, Natarajar in a dancing exposure can be seen.
In front of Natarajar, Lord Kalyanasundarar with Ambigai can be seen in a laughing posture facing east in the south Praharam. Nalvars can be seen in the Prakaram in front of Nadarajar Sabha. In Koshtam, Idols of Pichaadanar, Bala Ganapathi, Natarajar, Lingothpavar, Brahma and Dakshinamoorthy in a yoga posture can be seen. Raghu Bhagwan and Durga are located in a separate Shrine.
A beautiful Lord Vinayagar Sannadhi is located on the Kannimoolai. Idols of Bharatha Maharishi, Sembian Madevi, and Mallappa Naicker were installed in the four directions of Karuvarai. There is no Navagraha - 9 planets shrine in the temple. Mother is located in her separate shrine with a shy face as a bride. Beside Karu Oomathai, Vanni and Kondrai are also the sacred trees of the temple.
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and Prayers
The grace of Lord Kalyanasundara Peruman is specially felt by the devotees whose weddings are unusually delayed. They pray to Lord with garlands and archanas. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of serpent planets Rahu and Ketu pray here for relief. Devotees pray for child boon. Couples, warring brothers pray here for re-union. Devotees pray to Lord Udhvaganathar seeking mental peace and freedom from various miseries in life. They also seek job opportunities, promotions and progress in trade. Those awaiting marriage offer Kalyana Malai-wedding garlands with archanas. After realizing their wish, they come back and worship with garlands and archanas.
Offerings to DeityThose seeking child boon bathe in the Saptha Sagaram sacred spring and offer Milk Pudding nivedhana to Rahu planet. They also light oil or ghee lamps in Sani Bhagwan shrine. Devotees offer vastras to Lord Udhvaganathar and perform abishek with flour, turmeric, cosmetic powders and oil, milk, curd, sacred ash-vibhuti, green coconut, panchamirtham a mixture of five ingredients, lime, honey, sandal etc. They also offer nivedhanas to Lord and distribute the same to the devotees. Those who can afford, contribute for renovations of the temple.
Stotras and Mantras
- Festivals
- Sodasha Upcharas
Dos and Don’ts as informed by priests here:
Vibuthi, kumkum (plus manjal for girls) are to be used, after prayers, for one Mandalam (45 days or till they last) by the boys/girls only and not by others in the family. Lemon should be drunk, without adding salt or sugar, by the boys/girls only and not by others; the next morning after bathing the boy/girl should pray wearing this garland and then drink the lemon juice with a little water. Then retain the garland in a cloth bag (manjal pai), not in plastic bag, till marriage is over and come again with spouse; the same garland is finally put in the temple tank here. Coconuts can be used by the entire family for cooking.
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