The Visit to this Sri Arulmigu Kathiresan Kovil at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( EzhaNadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled on 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilising this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites in Sri Lanka.
Presiding Deity : A Spear / Vel
Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The Temple is facing east with balipeedam and Peacock vahana are in side the mukha mandapam. In the sanctum a Vel is installed as a presiding deity. In the praharam sannidhi for Vinayagar, Murugan, Nagar, Maha Lakshmi, Navagrahas and Natarajar Sabha.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The complete temple was reconstructed with bricks. The adhistanam of padabandha adhistanam with jagathy, Kumudam and pattigai, on a upanam. The bhitti starts with vedhigai. Brahma kantha Pilasters are with Kalasam, kudam, mandi, palagai and pushba pothyal. The Koshtas are of Sala type. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Bhoomi Desam. A two tier Vimanam is on the adhistanam. Stucco images of Murugan's sitting postures and standing postures on the greeva koshtam. The Sigaram is of Vesara Style with maha nasis on the 4 cardinal directions.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that during 19th century, a devotee and a Monk of Murugan from South India came to the then old Anuradhapura installed a Vel and a Subramaniyar in a shed and worshiped. Some Devotees joined as a team and started the Adhi Kathiresan temple near Snana Tank /Snana kulam. Since the place was not adequate, The Saiva devotees S Saravanamuthu, Thunnalai Chellaiah, S Chitrambalam, T Murugesa Pillai, S N Chitrambalam, Lawer Ramaswamy, Lawyer Sivakozhunthu and the villager, once again started a new temple at Anuradhapuram Mavadi after getting 2 acres of land as donation in the year 1927. In 1930 kumbhabhishekam was done after completion. In 1955, the yanthra was stolen and kumbhabhishekam was conducted to the Murti.
In the mean time The Anuradhapura has become sacred and new temple was constructed in a 4 acre land at the junction of Jayanthi mavatha street. The foundation was laid by Ser Kanthaiya Vaidhyanathan and Thiru S Mani. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09th September 1964, through Achuveli Siva Sri S Kumaraswamy Gurukkal. This temple was constructed as per the Vedasivagama by Thangavelu Achariya.
The present structure was constructed in 2012 - 2013. After reconstruction of the temple and Parivara Sannidhis Punaravarthana ashta bandhana Navakundapaksha Maha Kumbhabhishekam Vinjaapanam was conducted on 27th January 2017.
As per the Gurukkal, initially a Vel was worshiped as the presiding deity. Latter idols of Sri Valli Devasena was installed as presiding deities. Once again the Vel was installed as a presiding deity. When and why the presiding Deity was changed is not known.
LEGENDS
It is believed that worship of Murugan as Kathiresan was started in the form of Vel only from the ancient times and the same was replaced the idols of Murugan at a latter date. But still, exclusive Vel in the sanctum sanctorum is worshiped as presiding deity in some of the places in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu as Kathiresan ( Kovilpatti, Thiruparankundram ( Moolavar is bas relief ), Chennai Chrompet Kumaran Kundram, etc ).
The shape of Vel is sharp on the tip, wider at the top and long below the wider portion. This shape signifies that one’s knowledge should be sharp, wider and deep. Hence Vel is considered for the Victory and Knowledge.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas Special poojas are conducted on Tuesdays, Shasti, Karthigai Nakshatra days, Vaikasi Visakam, Kandar Sashti festival ( October November ) etc., are celebrated in a grand manner,
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Gnanachandran Gurukkaal +94252225436
HOW TO REACH
The temple is very close to Anuradhapura flyover about 1.3 KM from New Bus Stand, 1.8 KM from Anuradhapura Railway Station, 1.9 KM from Anuradhapura New town Railway Station, 137 KM from Colombo, 201 KM from Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka.
Nearest Railway station is Anuradhapura and Airport is Anuradhapura about 7.5 KM.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment