Arulmigu Prananadeswarar Temple, Thirumangalakudi
God: Lord Shiva
Prananadeswarar, Mangalambika,
City: Thirumangalakudi
Distric: Thanjavur
King Kulothunga in the 11th Century for building a temple from the revenues of the country without obtaining the his permission. The minister requested that he be cremated in Thirumangalakudi. His body was brought to the place as wished by him. His wife went to the Mangalambikai temple and sought the grace of the Goddess for getting back her husband which was responded by a sound from the air. The minister came alive. He went to the temple, embraced the Lord calling him Prananadeswara. As prosperity means a married life till the end (Mangalam) and as it was granted to the woman in distress, the Goddess is known as Mangalambika.
Lord Prananadeswara is a Swayambu exsisting of His own. Goddess is all blessingful. There is no special place for the Navagrahas here. It is believed that the the planets in the Suriyanar Temple are the ones belonging to this temple. It is in Thirumangalakudi temple that even the Planets got relieved of their curses. The Lord has three faces representing human, animal and birdis own forms, a rare one not found in other temples. Here, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Protector, Sage Agasthya, Sun, Akashvani, Mother Earth worshipped the Lord. There are two holy waters here called Chandra theertham and Suriya Theertham. There are two Nataraja Sannidhis here. This was renovated by Kualothunga Chozha in the 5th Century. The temple is administered by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam.
Thirumangalakudi is 2 Kms far from Adhuthurai, 15 from Kumbakonam, Thirupandal 8, Thanjavur 55, and Trichy, 100 Kms. The devotees have accommodation facilities in Kumbakonam
Thirumangalakudi is 8 Kms. from Thirupanandal on the Chennai-Kumbakonam Road. Conveyance available from Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. One can reach Thirumangalakudi. easily from Thirupanandal and Aduthurai. Nearest Airport is Trichy.
Festivals: Panguni Uthiram 10 days – Thirukalyanam on the second day of Brahmmotsavam is grandly celebrated. This is the most important festival of this temple. Sankatahara Chaturthi and Kruthikas are also observed. Bairava worship on the Astami (8th day from the full moon) is also observed. There will be huge crowd in the temple during the Pradosha days. Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New year days also are observed...
