Mavithapuram Kandasamy Temple

In our country Eelam there are so many holy temples and Theerththa Thuraikal which are of ancient speciality to help the devotees to get rid of their former sins.

For example in our country in the North Keerimalai and Nagulessar temples, in the East Kaneshar temple, in the South Manikka Gangai and Kathiraivetpu, in the West Palavi Theerthtam and Ketheeswaranathar Koil and Mayavan Aaru and Munnianathar temple all the 5 Gods are natural gifts to our country from ancient time and can proudly say that they are the Fife Padaiveedukal (Aaimpadaiveedukal) that protects Eelam all ways.

Kumarikkandam has been the ancient Thollulagam as Tamil says in course of time came out of scene owing to the flow of seas. A part of that Kumarikkandam is our Eelam and Eelam as we say. Though as well are our Eelam has been protected by in the form of a small island by God. This island remained safe may be due to existence of several specially the 5 holy temples. Theeththa etc. Thus with all these religious features Maviddapuram Kandasamy Koil, existed in Keerimalai with the special Theerththa importance.

Starting from Jaffna town, on the way to Kankesanthurai thus famous Maviddapuram Kandasamy Koil is at 10th stone distance. Its boundaries are Kandesanthurai, Mayiliddy village Sabas etc. All sorts of conveyance were found there specially carts and vehicles on railways. Near are important spots as Palaly airport in the east direction and in the North Keerimalai Nanneeruttu.

In Eelam two types of Murukan temples exists one type referred in Sivakama Sitpa Nool other type in the form of Inns.

Temples at Maviddapuram, Kanthavanakadavai, Inuvil, Neerveli, Anurathapuram are built in the Sivakama Sitppa method.

Kathirkamam Mandoor, Verukal, Selvasasannathy and Nallur are temples of Madalaya category. Among these Maviddapuram temple is of great importance Sittpa Nool construction style.

According to history there is a story behind the history of this temple in the 9th AC there lived in Chola Nadu one Valavan named Maruthapuraveaka Valli. Her was human but face like that of a horse.

According to the advice of a hermit named Santhalingan thus Marutha Puraveekavalli came all the way from Chola Nadu to our Keerimalai. She got Upathesam from Nagula Munivar (Hermit) she daily bathed in the max water (Uvar + Nanneer) with piety and due to this as a blessing her horse face changed into normal human face. It was really wonderful and she place she stayed and bathed was named “Kumarathty Pallam”. This spot remains today opposite to the east of Kankesanthurai cement factory in the name of Kumara Kayilady alias Kumaraththy Pallam.

Daily after her bath she worshipped the temple which is in the name of Kathira Aandavar Koil. It was at the spot named Koil Kadavai at present known as “Valavudai” up the side of which there is a Keani in ruined stage in the west, 200 yards apart from today’s temple is found Kathirayandavan temple.

Because of the incident of Maruthapuravealea Valli’s horse face changing to normal the former name Koil Kadavai, then changed into “Maviddapurama” Ma-mean horse – Vidda – removed Puram place. This gets the meaning as the spot where the hose face changed into human. Also it is said that along with here came her commander named “Mahaviddan” who was in changed of the temple administration and this was also considered a solid reason to the name “Maviddapuram” one a Muthuthambupillai, a Jaffna, History teacher and author of the book “Navalar Koddam” says and supports the above events and the reasons for the name as “Maviddapuram”.

It is also said that after the great victory of Soorasankaram Murukaperuman on the his way to Kathiramalai visited Maviddapuram and stayed there for a short period; and so this place is holy and of great importance according to this “Ma” means Sooran who stood in the form of a Mango tree (Mamaram) Vidda meaning he changed his position as a tree there “Puram” means place. Those who accepts this take in to consideration that “Mamaram” Mango tree is the Thalavidchcham of this place.

It is also said that as a gratitude for doing good to herself (by changing the horse face) Marutha Puraveeka Valli built this Kathirai Andavan temple and contributed wealth and other properties to the temples. Thillaitheedchithar was appointed to conduct the Pooja rites hereby Chola Valavan. All what need for the renewal and festival of Kantha Peruman who was also known as Kankesaperuman came to the particular harbour and it was named a “Kankesanthurai” in course of final.

At this time one prince name Ukkirasingan Married Maruthapuraveeka Valli and changed his residence to Singhai Nagar and in course of time this name was changed into “Kanthar Oodai” with the interior meaning as Kanthar – Kandaswamyar and Oodai – as “Kulaveli –”

Now we find a Theerththa spotnear the sea, is the water spot where Nagulemuni and Marathapuraveakavalli bathed and was blessed, the name of which is “Anthar Vavi” alias “Kandaki Theerththam”.

God in order to bless and protect the souls, take a lot of forms out of which “Theerththam” is one. Owing to this God Shivan is named and praised as “Theerththam”. This form of Sivan is to blesse souls. Those who bathe at Keerimalai with sincere piety will be definitely blessed by God. This is cleared from Maruthapura Veekavalli’s horse face changing to human face, to quote the example “Aarththa Pirvavithuyar Keda” bathed in the holy water spot and got back water spot and her human face etc.

When the Perunkoil was built by her, was flourishing, the Portuguese conquered Eelam destroyed so many Hindu temple and one among them was the famous “Mavaddapuram temple” At that instant, the one who protected the properties and holy stature of the temple was one Shivashree Balasubramaniya Kurukkal who was in charge of the Hindu Templers at that time.

After Portuguese, Ollanthar ruled Eelam and at the end of their region, in 1782 one Shivashree Sababathy Ayar, brought Maviddapuram to the back cherishing condition and as the result the normal Poojas and festivals were conducted the usual form and order this temple flourished, from time to time by the sincere services of the Hindu Devotees and well-wishers.

And today this particular temple is flourishing in its maximum with Karuvarai, Arththa Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Thampa Mandapam, Niruththa Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam, Thaddi Mandapam, Villu Mandapam, Veddai Mandapam, Yagasalai, Pakasalai, Kalanchiyam etc. Most of the area from Karuvarai was built with Karankal.

This was finished building in the year 1927 and in June on the same year at Swathy Natchathiram the Thirumanchanam took place on a grand scale. At the Karuvarai Lord Murugan’s holy statue appears on the pretty peacock with Deviyar Valli and Thevayanai this appears to be full of Arul, also other idols of Vinayakar, Nadesar, Chandrasekarar, Arumagaswamy, Muthu Cumarasamy, Subramaniar, Chanthanakopaalar, Mahaluxmi, Vairarvar, Thandayuthapaani, Navakirakankal and Sandeswarar are found there, the statue of Nadesar with Sivakami Ambal found here were brought from Chithamparam.

On the west side of this temple, there is a smart, high Rajagopuram with many forms which narrates the history of the temple and this Kopuram is of great pride not only for the place concerned but also to the whole of Eelam. The one who met the buildings experiences of this Rajagopuram was none but one Arul Thiru Nagalingha Thesikar alias Rangoon Pandaram. To maintaine this there is an Arakkaddalai ie. The Nagalinghashwara Madalaya Paripalana Arakkaddalai.

Here daily Poojas 6 in number are specially conducted daily special Pooja with Thiru Manchana Neeraddu to Muththukkumara Swamy on every Fridays in the moring and evening, monthly at Karththikai Nadchaththiram April 1st and on the 1st day January Sankiranthy. On these days, the procession of Muthucumara Swamy takes place in the inner Veethy of the temple.

SPECIAL FESTIVALS

The festival of this temple, starts on the Poorvapakka Sashdi Thithy in the month of June at Uththara Natchaththiram. On this day the temple flag hoisting celebration takes place with on July Amavaasai Theerththosavam and Car Festival on the previous day of Car Festival. This yearly festival takes place for 25 days continuously. The Arumuga Swamy dance festival, Karththikai Festival.

Veeddai festival, Paddukudai festival and Sappara Thiruvila are considered to be the best and special festivals Utsavakala Arumuga festival was started by Naddukoddai Nakaraththavar. This Nadana festival takes place and the 5th day of the festival. To meet the expenses a Kiddanky was setup at Kankesanthurai.

Even today the lamp in the shape of a chariot (Thaer) is brightening the entire temple.

The Pancha Moorththikal of the Charriot or Car festival and Gnanapathy, Subramaniar Santhira Sekarar, Aarumugar and Sandesurar on the Car festival day when the procession is over, in the evening the Pancha Moorthikal come back to the Moolasthanam with Vetha Manthiram, Thiru Murai Oosai, Nathaswaraganam and Thirupukal song stating.

“Thiththirukkum Thiru Amuth Kanden”

Appar Peruman sang the Thevara Lines as follows:- “Kanden Avar Thirupatham Kandu Ariyathana Kanden” when Sivaperuman showed to Appar, the Thirukkailayil Kaddchi at Thiruvaiyaru on the new Moon day of the month of July. On this same day, “Korum Adiyarkal Vinai Theerkkum Maavaikanthan’s Theerththatsovam too takes place.

Besides all these on the auspicious day of Thaipoosam the procession of Arumugaswamy on chariot around the temple and the procession of Nadesaperuman on the previous day of Aaruthra Tharisana day it’s December takes place yearly in this temple.

Yearly Kanthapurana Padena recital starts in the month of October and comes to an end on the 2nd day of the temple festivals. During the month of October during Kanthasasti Viratha days, the Thiruchchenthoor Punaram recital takes place here and Sooran Poor takes place on a very grand scale here.

A Swadichealai is maintained in this temple and hundreds and hundreds of books in Kirantha language and in Tamil language are found here.

* Thaipoosam is an auspicious day for Lord Murukan. On this very day, throughout Tamil Nadu festival for Palaniyandavar, car festival and Annathanam temples. This day is specially meant for Murukavali Padam.

On October month, on the day of Maanam Poo, Murukaperuman comes to Thellipalai Thurkkai Amman temple in procession. The entrie administration of this temple is in the hands of the Hindu Saiva priests, on hereditary basis. There are 3 Veethy around the temple.

There are inns surrounding the tempe, a flower garden. The devotees are administrating this temple affair properly.

The compound where the temple is named as Kovvankaddu Valavu, the star belongs to his temples is Swathy, Thalavidchcham is Mango tree, Theerththam is Keerimalai sea one Mr.Ambalavanar Kanthar is the owner of the land. Shivashree, Sanmuganathar Kurukkal is in charge of the entire administration.

There is a Sabai in the name of “Maavai Kanthan Aalaya Thiruppani Sabai which was established on 7-6-75 to see to the entire administration. It is sure that gradually this temple will reach its ancient prosperity in the due course of time.

The details of those who composed Sotpamalai on Mavai Kanthan

Names of the Composers	Songs
1. Muthu Kumara Kavirayar	Thirupathikam
2. Irupalai Senathi Kavirayar	Mavai Subramaniyar Thothtiam
3. Chunnakam A. Cumaraswami Pulavar	Mavai Pathikam, Mavai Iraddai Mani Malai, Mavai Kali Venba
4. Varuththalai Vilan S. Maylvahana Pulavar	Mavai Pathikam, Mavai Kantharakaval, Mavai, Kanthar Sinkaram
5. K. Saravanamuththu Pulavar	Mavai, Pathikam, Mavai Kathirkama Valavar Pathikam, Mavai Unchat Pakkal
6. M. Saravanamuththu Pulavar	Mavai Unchat Pakkal
7. V. Appakuddy	Maviddapuram Kanthaswamy Koil Pathikam
8. Poonakari Murukesar Kanakasabai	Pottithruakaval Mavai Pathikam
9. Karavanvai Sevvanthinatha	Thesiker Mavai Mummani Malai
10. Sabapahty Navalar	Mavai Anthanthy
11. T.H.P. Ponnampalam Pillai	Mavai Yamakakavanthathy, Mavai Thiruviraddai Mani Malai Aareluthupathithu
12. Mavai Cumaraswami Kurukkal	Mavai Puranam, Mavai Pathikam
13. P. Sabapathy Pillai	Mavidda Puram Thoththira Pamalai
14. K. Sachchithanantham	Mavai Murukan
15. Navaliyur S.Somasundara Pulavar	Mavai Nakara Muruka Pathikam
16. Aasukavi Vasavilan Kalladi Veluppilai	Mavai Thoththira Viruththam, Mavai Kantharalankaram
17. Mayliddy C. Vellupillai Teacher	Mavai Keerththanaikal, Mavai Pathikam
18. Maha Vidvan Shivasri C.Kanesha Iyar	Mavai Subramania Thoththira Viruththam
19. N. Sivaprakasan	Mavai Murukan Keerththanaikal
20. Arul Kavi Sivasri S. Vinasiththamby	Maviddam Puram Thandapani Kanthan Thiruppathikam, Thoththira Pamalai
21. Elalai Pandithar M. Muththaiah	Mavai Pillai Thamil
22. Visuvanatha Sasthiriyar	Mavai Kuravanchi
23. R.C. Kanthaiah Aachchari	Mavai Kanthar Thothira Malai

MAVAI KANTHAN VARALARU NOOLKAL
Books That Narrates the History of Mavai Kanthan

Author’s Name	Books Name
History books in prose form
1. Sivasri S.T. Shanmuganatha Kurukkal 2. Ra-Sunthara Rajasarma	Maviddapura Thiruththala Varalaru Koyit Kadavai
Books of Drama
T. Shanmuga Suntharam	“Vaalvu Petta Valli”
Other Books
1. Muthuraja Kavirayar	Kailaya Malai
2. –	Vaiya Padal Eelamandala Sathakam
3. Thirumalai Masilamani Muthukumara Pulavar	Thirukkonesala Puranam
4. N. Kathiravetpillai	Subramania Parakkramam
5. Mathakal Earampaiyar	Nakusala Puranam
6. K. Appuswamy Iyar	Nakusala Puranam
7. Maylvahana Pulavar	Yalppana Vaipavamalai
8. Vaddukkoddai Visuvanatha Sasthiriyar	Nagulamalai Kuravanchi
9. Kalladi Veluppilai	Yalppana Vaipava Kawmuthy
10. S. Rasanayaga Mudaliyar	Yalppana Chariththiram
11. A. Muthuthambi Pillai	Yalppana Chariththiram
12. Rev. Gnanapirakasar	Yalppana vaipava Vimarsanam
13. S.W.Cumaraswamy	Idam Peyar Aarachchi
14. K. Mathiyaparanam	Yalppana Poorvika Vaipavam

All Thiru Murai songs, Hindu historical texts and other Saiva details which were scattered all over, were all carefully collected and composed into a single book named “Mavai Murukan Kavi Poonkoththu” in the year 1977 and was published by one Elavalai Maeylamkooda Saiva Pulavar S. Apputhurai. But so for none attempted to write Urai for his collection.

NB:- The following are some of the songs that were composed by Uduvil Muththu Cumara Kavirayar; describing the procession of Lord Murukan on the “Veddai Festival” in the name of “Namanthirikai”, “Prakaelikai” style.

“Namanthirikai” here describes in a song style the main subject and describing quite a different topic. It is rather a strange effort.

1) “Mallaka Mathakalan Murukan
Sunnakathtan Mathan Pavanar
Sollar Sear Evinayan Thunnalai
Yananththan Surumba Sothy
Sillalai Irul Venra Kurakkodi
Kamaththanai Sikandy Mavoor
Vallanai Maviddapura Nagarthidai
Pavani Vara Kandaenae”

The names and subjects are hidden and quite a different subject as names of seven places are given as follows:-

Mallakam, Mathakal, Chunnakam, Eevinai, Thunnalai, Sillalai, and Kodikamam. Those things hidden in the above mentioned names are :- “Mal Agamam Maathu Ahalan Marukam” means in the heart of Thirumal, whose Murukan (Sul + Nagam) = Sunakam Kel-Veli, Nagam – Malai Sunakaththan the son of Parameshwara Moorthy who is at Velliyankiri, “Pavanar Sollachcheer Eevinayan – the one who gives divinity to sincere devotee with no hesitation Thunnalaiyan Aththan – the cousin of Man Mathan who is sugarcane how, Surumbar Oothi Sillalai I Irula Venran and the one who loves Valli whose locks are of however where bees gather in good number Sihandy Oor Vallanai, who rides the horse named Thokai Mayil, I had the opportunity to enjoy the procession of such a God Murukan.

2) “Mudivilathurai Sunnakathan Vali
Munthi Thavadikkokkuvin Meethu
Vanthu Adaiay Oor Pen Kodikamathal
Asaithanai Koddai Veli Kaddudai Viddal
Uduvilam Vara Pannalayan Miha
Uruththan Kadamputta Mallakaththil
Thadai Vidathu Anai Eenru Palaly Kan
Sara Vanthanal Orr Ilavaalaiyae”

Here name of 11 villages are given as follows:-

Chunnakam, Thaavadi, Kokkuvil, Kodikamam, Anaikoddai, Kaddudai, Uduvil, Pannalai, Mallaakam, Palaly and Ilavaalai.

The term “Chunnakam” can be divided has follows:- Sul + Naakam Sul – means Velli – Silvar, and Nagam means – Malai (hill) as Sunnakam = Velli Malai Val – Pillai (Child) “Mudivila Thurai Chunnakaththan Vali Aathiyum Anthamum Illa Irivan – Sivan – His son Kanthaswamy “Munthi Thaavu Adi Kokkuvil Vanthu Adaya = “Kokku” here means horse. Murukan was riding on a jumbling horse, at that time the Thalavi fell in love and here clothes were let loose at that time the Moon appeared with starts who are described as Moon’s wives another lady shed tears diving to her love towards God Murukan. Here the love feelings of two human females are described – which is known as Padan Thinai.

3) “Pannirandu Karakanthannai Eddup
Paanaiyai Thundatharak Kuyavanai
Munnirandu Kudankaiyl Eaenthiyai
Muddi Muddi Mal Mevai Chaadiyai
Ponnirandu Peruchchettiyai
Pootuveer Pulaveer Sakaranthanai
Muthenmaisaal Peru Vealvu Uran Meimaiya”

There meaning here is hidden and other words with open meaning are as follows:- Karakam, Paanai Muddi, Kudam, Cheadi Kalasam and Sael are names of Vessals. Among this Pannirandu Karakam, Eddu Kudappaanai, Irandu Kudam, Kalasam, Paththu – Thus they are not in single version. The name Chetty is applied to Murugapperuman, he is mentioned to belong to Vanikar Marapu.

Here the hidden version is Pannirandu Karamthanai – meaning, Kanthakkadavul with 12 hands, and Ell, Thumbu, Aanai, I Thundam, Atharam, Kuyam, Anai, Mun Irandu Karam, Kaiyl, Eenthiyai – meaning 8 flowers, Pavalam, Elephant, can be compared to beautiful nose, Atharam, Mullai – here Umai with these pretty forms and the baby Murukan in her hands, such a child of Umai, taught violently several lines with Sooran who once stood in the term of a Mango tree and killed him and also He had Theivayanai and Valli as His wives, such a God, also called as Uruthra Sanmar Pulaveer you must pray Him and praise him. If done so one will get “Sakala Sampaththu” Kalaiam Paththu means valour, Education, Pride etc. One who prays sincerely to God Murukan will be blessed with all wealth in this birth – To quote Muthanmai sael “Peruvalvuran Meimaiyae”