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| Sri Mangalanatha swamy facebook.com |
The Sri Mangalanatha Swamy Temple (also known as Uthirakosamangai) near Ramanathapuram is a site of immense spiritual and historical weight. Often referred to as the oldest Shiva temple in the world—with local proverbs claiming it existed even before soil was formed—it is most famous for its 6-foot-tall Emerald Nataraja idol.
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| main tower. Sri Mangalanatha swamy upload.wikimedia.org |
Above image: Mangalanatha Swamy temple, dedicated to God Shaiva near Ramanathapuram town in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu is a famous pilgrimage center glorified by Tamil Saivite saints Manickavasagar (9th century CE) and Arunagirinathar (15th century). The primary builders of this temple were Pandya kings, Achutappa Nayak (1529–1542 CE), Muthuveerappan (a ruler in Thanjavur district) including rulers of Ramanathapuram ruling dynasty at different time. But the temple itself is much older........
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| Sri Mangalanatha swamy thehindu.com |
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| Sri Mangalanatha swamy trip.com |
The temple is closely associated with the rebirth of Tamil poet and saint Manickavasagar in his later birth. He was the one who had built the famous Avudayar temple in Pudukkottai district where there are no idols of Shiva and his consort in the sanctums (garbhagriha).
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| Emerald idol of God Shiva .templesofaisa.com |
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| Sri Mangalanatha swamy temple,TN Emerald idol hindu-blog.com |
The centerpiece of the temple is a majestic statue of Lord Nataraja carved from a single, massive maragatha (emerald) stone.
Size & Rarity: Standing at 6 feet (1.8 m), it is believed to be the largest emerald idol in the world.
Fragility & Protection: Because emerald is highly sensitive to sound vibrations and light, the idol is kept in a high-security vault. During daily rituals, the use of loud percussion instruments is strictly prohibited near the shrine to prevent the stone from cracking due to sonic resonance.
The Sandalwood Veil: For 364 days a year, the idol is completely coated in thick sandalwood paste (Santhana-kaapu). This serves as a natural preservative and protects the gemstone's integrity.
Arudra Darisanam: The only day the emerald form is visible is during the Arudra Darisanam festival (December/January). Most recently, on January 2, 2026, thousands of devotees gathered as the paste was removed for the annual abhishekam, revealing the deep green, shimmering deity for a single day.
Unique Traditions and Legends
The temple follows protocols that differ significantly from other Shaivite shrines:
The Thazhambu Exception: Usually, the Thazhambu (screw-pine flower) is forbidden in Shiva worship because it allegedly gave false witness for Lord Brahma. However, at Uthirakosamangai, it is uniquely permitted for worship, symbolizing Brahma’s redemption at this site.
Sahasralinga Mantabam: Before the sanctum lies a hall containing 999 Lingams made of spatika (quartz). Legend says these represent 999 sages who jumped into a fireball to prove their devotion, while the 1,000th sage—who stayed to protect the Vedas—was later reborn as the saint Manickavasagar.
Divine Secrets: The name Uthirakosamangai translates to the place where Lord Shiva taught the secrets (Kosam) of the Vedas to Goddess Parvati (Mangai).
Modern Security and Management
Managed by the HR & CE Board, the temple employs intense security measures. The idol is set within the sanctum in a way that makes it impossible to remove without causing it to shatter, effectively deterring theft. Despite an attempted robbery in December 2018, the "Priceless Emerald" remains safe behind reinforced gates and burglar alarms, continuing to draw pilgrims seeking blessings for marriage and spiritual clarity.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2021/12/large-emerald-nataraja-idol-of.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uthirakosamangai
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2020/08/uthirakosamangai-temple-ramanathapuram.html
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