78. NANGOOR

MADHANGESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Madhangeeswarar

Amman: Madhangeeswari

Sthala Viruksham: Vanni tree

Theertham: Madhanga Theertham

Old name for Nangoor was Madhangasramam. 

Speciality:

More than 2000years old.

The Nandhi of Shiva and Amman is on the same dais facing 2 directions. 

The Vimanam of this temple is Eka Thala Vimanam. 

The Valanjuzhi Madhanga Vinayaka blesses the devotees by fulfilling all their wishes. 

Shiva faces east and Amman faces south.

There is an Aanandha Vadabadhra Makali Sannidhi in this temple. This is a very special  Sannidhi. The Kaali has 8 hands full of weapons.

The Mahavishnu is in the Mohini form with Changu, Chakra and Aanandha Mudhra. 

There is an Aanandha Vadapathra Kaali Amman with 8 hands holding weapons.

There is a Madhanga Maharishi shrine in the temple.

The Brahma of this temple is in sitting posture.

Mathangi is the Guru to Saraswathi. Therefore Akshara Prakshanam is done to Children on a full moon day or on Ashtami day after the new moon. 

Children who are sent to school for the first time are brought here on Powrnami or Ashtami days and Akshara Biyasam is done here.

People tie mattaithengai (unpeeled coconut with husks) to get rellieved from obstacles in marriage.

Women who do not get married  make coconut Dhaal payasam and offer it to the Lord and they get married soon. 

The main function which is celebrated in a grand manner is Vaikasi Thirukalyanam.

History:

Once Shiva destroyed the earth with destructible floods (Jala Pralaya). Sage Madhangar, the son of Brahma, search for a place to perform Penance on Lord Shiva but he could not find Such a suitable place. He asked Sage Naradha to suggest him a dry place for his penance. Naradhar suggested a place called Swetha Vanam (Thiruvenkaadu). Sage Madhangar came to Swetha Vanam and found a place near that suitable for penance. Madhanga Maharishi stayed in this place and worshipped Shiva here and established a pond. Therefore the Pond and the place is named after him as Madhanga Theertham and Madhangeeswaram. While Sage Madhangar was performing penance Vishnu appeared as Mohini (women form) to test his determination. The Rishi understood Vishnu's intension and when he was about to curse Mahavishnu he appeared before the Sage as Mahavishnu with Sangu and Chakra. This could be seen in the Mahavishnu form of the temple. Finally Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. At that time Sage Madhangar requested that Shiva should have some relationship with the Lord so that he could have his Dharshan anytime he wanted. Lord bestowed him with this boon and told him that he would marry his daughter when time comes. On a Chithira Powrnami day Sage Madhangar was bathing in River Manikarna. He found a female child on a Lotus leaf in the river. He understood that he was bestowed with this Child by Lord Shiva. He brought up the Child very affectionately. When the girl attained the age of marriage the Sage prayed to Lord Shiva and reminded him about the boon. Lord Shiva accepted Madhangi the Sage daughter and became the son-in-law of the Sage so that he could have the Dharshan of Shiva whenever he wanted. The wedding of Lord and Amman Mathangi took place in Thiruvenkaadu few kms from Naangoor. The Lord took no Dowry from sage Madhangar. He wanted to emphasis that it was a wrong practice. He told the Devas that all his assets belong to Mathangi after his marriage. Nandhi brought some of the Assets and placed them as an exhibition during the marriage. After the marriage the Lord appeared with Amman as Shiva Parvathi the Sage requested the Lord to stay in Nangoor as Madhangeeswarar and Amman as his daughter Mathangi. The Nandhi facing the Lord is called Madhanga Nandhi and the Nandhi facing the other directions is called Swetha Nandhi. The Pradhosham in this temple is very special. 

After destroying the Yaaga of Dhakshan Lord Shiva danced the Rudhra Thandava. Lord Shiva's hair touched the ground at 11 places. Since Shiva was very angry the 11 places where the hair touched turned red and was full of heat. To cool Shiva Lord Vishnu took 11 forms and pacified the 11 places touched by the hair. This created 11 Shiva temples and 11 Vishnu temples in the place. The 11 Vishnu temples are worshipped as Divyadesams.