Kathirgamam

“Maruvam Adiyarkal Manathil Vilayadupavan Muruhan” Kathirgamam is a special temple for our Murugan in Eelam. All Saivaists make pilgrimage to this Thalam yearly. Our country we Sri Lankan are proud and blessed to have Kathirkamam in our country are from Colombo, we walk up to Galle thro this route we go up to Matharai from there if we travel up to “Thisai Maharama” we see the holy reiver “Maniccagangai” 12 miles apart from the place “Thisamaharama” near this holy reiver is “Kathirkamam” a holy and special temple of our Kaliyuga Murukan sounding Kathirkamam there are dense forests with wild animals. There stays our Lord Murugan with Atputha Arul.

The term “Kathirkamam” means a holy place where holy light and piety are full. Kathirkamam is one of the (Arupadai) Arulpadai Veedu of Murugan.

The Velayutham as orders by Murukaperuman, killed Sooran with victory and valour turned back; on the way it came across a hill that was named as “Vaahooraimalai (hill) and went in to the sea, from three light lines in the shape of Velayutham came out, and staged one on Ukanthamalai top, the other on the while Naval tree at the Thirukkovilthalam, and the 3rd light street on Mandoor Thillai Maram (tree). Because of this event, later many Velayutha Swamy temples were built them. Because of this reason the devotees who go on walk to Kathirkamam on the way, they worship the above mentioned Gnanasakthi temples get their blessing and then proceed to reach the Moolavar Murukan at Kathirkamam.

Also there is a different explanation for the name Kathikamam as a place full of Thinai gram, Because the Vedas who lived around Kathirkamam cultivated in ample the so-called grain Thinai. The Vedas worshipped Lord Murukan and Murkan alone. The decedents of these Veders are the “Kappuralai” who conducts Poojas now at the so-called Kathirkamam. To describe their Pooja method first key, they tie a cloth round their mouth and remain very silent to do Pooja with prayers.

At this instant it is said that; they receive an Arudsakththi which spread all over their body and they became very holy aid powerful, wish and happiness they feel the blessings of God Murukan all over the temple.

The building structure of Kathirkamam is rather very small. It is of the Moolasthanam and a small hall only. The entrance of the Moolasthanam is never opened. It is found always covered with a certain, inside the Moolasthanam is the place a Yanthira powerful box the base of it the outcome of Murukaperumans Manthirams. This is said to be worshipped for the first time by one Muththulingha Swamikal continuing one “Pottakadu” By the side of the main temple, the Theivayanai Amman temple is found. Also there is the “Samathy” of Muththulingha Swamikal who spent his life time there as a Murugan devotee. The Veethy of this temple is in the triangle ∆ form or shape that devotes Murukan’s “Velayutham”.

The yearly festival of Kathirkamam takes place in the month of July and the Theerththotsavam takes place in the month of July, on Thiruvoona Natchaththira day. Apart from this, Karthikai Natchaththiram day in the month of Karththikai and New Year day in the month of April, are concludes as special festivals and also on a grand scale. The Yanthira Potthakadu Box taken on the back of the temple elephant in procession and the devtoees of lamps made of Thinai Flour to Lord Murugan, same carry Kavadi, same Catphorchatty, some dance and sing Thiruppukal some maintain piri drop silence and conduct what you say a “Anthar Yaakam”.

There are good amount of inns for the Kathirgama devotees to stay in one of the best is Ramakrishan Sanga Madam which is conducted in a special way by the so-called Mission. There is also the Maththarai Annathana Madam which offer food and rest to the devotees who slay there. Also the above mentioned Sabas gives financial help to the devotees.

Kathirkamam

Those who make pilgrimage to Kathirkamam first they should worship Kathirkama Murukan temple. Then they ought to proceed to Sellakkthirkamam, thereafter worhsipping Manicca Pillayar, they come back to Kathirkamam, bathe in the River Gangai and go to Kumaran’s residential top at Kathira Malai (Hill) the Kathirai Malai Tharisanam blesses the devotees with the entire benefits and blessings of the pilgrimage to this particular Thalam.

“Athirvaru Manicca Gangai Thani Moolki
Anbodu Sivaya Ena Aruneeru Poosi
Muhtirum Anbal Nenchamo Uruka Viliaruvi
Muththu Uthira Mei Pulakam Oore Urai Kulara
Puthiya Senthamil Maalai Pukal Mealai Soodi
Poruvil Kanthal Sukam Thaa Endru Paadi
Kathiramalai Kaana Kan Enna Konnnnae
Katpoore Oli Kaana Kan Enna Kannae”

Soma Suntharapulavar about

“Ilankaivalum” among which the Kovil Malar about Kathirkaamam is what given above.

The other names of Kathirkamam are :- Eaemakoodam, Karththikeyapuram, Kathirvelan Malai (Hill) Maanicca Nagar, Manipuram, Kanthavel Kovit etc. The Theerththam belongs to this temple is “Maanicca Gangai” which is dexcribed as “Manitharalam Veeesi Ani Aruvi” in verse form Arunakirinathar has sung about this Thalam in his Thiruppukal it is said that Baktha Hanuman who come in Seetha of “Seethai” worshipped this Thalam Kathirkamam.

In the south and east sides of Kathirkakam there are many Kandaswami Kovils some of them are one “Velpuram” which is in the south of Kaluththruai, and the other at named Kanthapananthurai,which is at the sea cost in the south of Batticaloa. All this stands as a proof to that Saiva Tamils lived in these areas.

Kathirkama Sirappu Patti Koorum Noolkal

Books that Narrates the special features of Kathirkakam

* Author’s name unknown. It is believed that during the region of Pararajasekaran (A.C 1478 – 1578) this particular books has been written according to the request of this King the medical book named “Pararaja Sekaram” has been written by 12 poets. Among them Thenkathirai Velar has done the majority. The entire 12 names are unknown. It is also suggested that one poet among this 12 would have composed and sung the entire lot. Among the Eelam Pirapanthankal the seniority goes to Kathiramalai Pillai and the Tamil Nadu Pirapanthankal says History.

The works of one Mr. Kumarasamy Lawyer belonging to Thellipalai (B.A) was in Chennai Thirumalai in 1935 by S.V. Jumpulingham Pillai

N.B : The request that the Saiva temple Kathirkamam must be handed over in the hands of Saivacists first maintenance was made by Akila Ilankai Saiva Paripalana Sabai which was formed in 1908 under President ship of Sir. Pon. Arunasalam it was also added that the sum of money as income to the temple must be spent only to meet the needs of the temple. This was taken at the meeting of all religious scholars and organizations meet in meeting at Vivekanandasabai which took place under the president ship of Sir. Arunasalam Mahadeva on the 18th March 1938. But unfortunately, owing to 2nd world war which took place at the time the above mentioned requests were not full filled. After which nothing was mentioned about it.