163. MANNARKUDI

JAYAMKONDANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 

Shiva: Jayamkondanadhar

Amman: Periyanayaki

Speciality:

Situated in the northern banks of river Pamani

This Shiva Linga was installed by Sage Vyasa.

This place was called as Raja Rajaeswaram or Vyasapuram in early days.

The eldest son of Gangaikondachola was Rajadhiraja Chola.

Rajadhiraja Chola constructed this temple in the memory of Winning the west Chalukya King.

The temple gopuram is 3 tiered.

All the Panchakoshta deities are present and are very beautifully carved.

There is a Vyasa Linga in the temple.

An idol of Naradhar is beside the Vyasa Lingam on the left.

An idol of Mahavishnu is behind the Vyasa Lingam.

The other Sannidhis in this temple are Kannimoola Ganapathy, Muruga with his consorts, Aanandhavalli, Bhairavar, Navagrahas and Saneeswarar.

Most of the deities are majestic in size and are of great sculptural value.

In front of the Vyasa Linga there are Sannidhis of Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Mahalakshmi, 3 Lingas and Nagar.

Function:

The Thirattupal Thiruvizh of this temple is a very famous festival which is celebrated in the month of Aadi. (Thirattupal is a mixture of Milk, Sugar, Cardamom and Ghee and finally which are mixed into a sweet dish). The Thirattupal Abhishekam is performed for Lord Shiva. Rare flowers like Datura (Umathampoo) and Karuneidhalpoo are selected for performing Archana on this day. A porridge with bamboo rice and milk are cooked by devotees and kept for Nivedhan on this day. People believe that worshipping Shiva at this time are bestowed with long life and goof health. After the Nivedhana Citron fruit (Nartham Pazham) is given as prasad along with the Niedham products to the devotees. The Story behind this is that Vishnu was playing with Gopikas. Lord Shiva provided Thirattupal to Vishnu as he got tired after playing. This idea is implemented in the village. The Thirattupal from the Jayamkondanadhar Shrine is taken in an elephant to Rajagopala Perumal Shrine and after certain rituals are performed there they are distributed to the devotees