- November 24, 2024
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Kolanjiappar temple in Manavalanallur, a village in the outskirts of Virudhachalam in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the God Murugan.
The temple has a five tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower, which pierces the granite wall surrounding the temple. The sanctum faces East and the image of the presiding deity is a small altar 3 ft (0.91 m), unlike most temples in the state which have sculpted granite or stucco images. There are separate shrines for Idumban, Kadamban. There are two images of Muniappa and Veera facing the sanctum in the Mahamandapam. There is a shrine of Siddhi Vinayakar in the Mahamandapam.
During the consecration in 2010, a newly built Northern temple tower, marriage hall, a shopping complex, Mani Mandap, Sidhar Mandap and a guesthouse for the devotees were added with the help of public contributions.
As per Hindu legend, Sundarar, the famous Nayanmar saint in Saivite tradition belonging to the 8th century, came to Virudhachalam (called Thirumudukundram) during his old age. He sang praise of the Vriddhagiriswarar. Shiva was much pleased with his rendition and wanted to have him sing a song again. He sent his son Muruga in the form of a hunter to the Kolanji forest through which Sundarar was traversing.
The hunter took away the belongings of Sundarar. He demanded the hunter to return his belongings for which the hunter wanted him to be back at Virudhachalam. Understanding that it is a divine play, Sundarar returned to Virudhachalam temple and sang praise of Shiva again. Vrida means old age and hence the place was called Virudhachalam as Sundarar came to the place during his old age. Muruga subsequently set his abode in the Kolanji forest as Kolanjiappar.
10 day Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Chitra Poornima in April-May with 1008 milk pot carried by devotees; 10 day Vasanth Utsav with Laksharchana and Lord Muruga coming in procession with Lord Vinayaka in car; besides monthly special abisheks in Karthika star days. An idol made of sandal paste is placed on a peeta with a crown and worshipped as Kolanji Appar. Krithika day in the month of Aadi (July-August) is grandly celebrated in the temple when large number of milk Kavadis are offered to Lord Muruga-Kolanjiappar.
Lord appears in six different Alankaras (dressings) during the 6 day Aipasi Skanda Sashti festival with Laksharchana (offering pujas chanting the name of Lord one lakh time). Marriages are celebrated in the temple. Also Maavilakku worship is followed on Fridays of Aadi (July-August) and Fridays of Thai month (January-February).
Submission of prayer to Lord Kolanjiappar People worried due to things lost in theft, non-return of money lent, cheating, suffering from serious diseases, facing problems in families, delay of marriage of son or daughter, unemployment, poverty in family etc. use to submit their grievances in writing. The submission – called Piradhu Kattudhal in Tamil – is addressed to “Manavalanallur Kolanjiappar”.
It should also contain details of the devotees’ name and place and purpose of the prayer. The prayer should be clear. This should be delivered to the priest for placing at the feet of the Lord. He will perform archana, put vibhuti-sacred ash and return as Prasad packet. The devotee should tie it with a thread on the Vel in the Muniappa shrine and leave the place.
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
It is believed that the devotee will realize the wish within 90 days. The devotee should pay a fee calculated at 10 paise per kilo metre covering the distance between his place and the temple.
After realizing the wish, the devotee can withdraw his/her petition (Rajinama) paying a fee. People pray here in huge numbers seeking solutions for problems they face as mentioned above
Devotees offer their commitments by donating cattle, cocks and hens, money equal to their weight, tonsuring, carrying milk pots etc. These are the main commitments. Milk Kavdis are offered especially for Panguni Uthiram. They also punch their bodies-Alagu Kuthal in Tamil. This is a thrilling scene here. They also offer articles as mangal sutras (Pottu Thali in Tamil) and human organs as eye, hand, leg etc. and child images made of silver in the hundi. They also pray to the Neem and Bodhi trees behind the sanctum sanctorum with child dolls in cradles seeking child boon. They donate bells, pulses, cereals as paddy, maize etc. The affluent do mass feeding.
Airport: The Nearest airports are at Chennai and Trichy.
Railways: The Nearest railway station is Virudhachalam Railway station.
Road: Manavalanallur is 2 km far from Virudhachalam; 40 km from Ulundurpettai; 25 km from Chidambaram. Bus facilities are available. Town bus facilities are available from Viruddhachalam to Manavalanallur.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m to 12.00 pm and from 5.00 PM to 8.30 p.m.
Sri Kolanjiappar Temple Temple,
Manavalanallur, Virudhachalam,
Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu,
Pincode – 606001.
