Mandur Gandasamy Temple

A Vavi with the length of 30 miles is Batticaloa. It mixed with the sea at a spot which is called “Amirthakali” which is near a holy place. Towards the south end at the west coast there is an ancient place named Mandoor. There is a famous Murukan temple. This is one of the Thiruppadai temples. That is Mandoor.

Kathirkamam is considered to be one of the Padaiveedu of Murukan. There is a story behind this place Mandoor. The Velautham after killing Sooran in anger, fared Vaahoora Malai into two pieces and got into the ocean from that spot and sparks in the form of Velautham to the East side of Eelam and stayed at 3 different paces one among the 3 rested Mandoor, and the Vedas who lived at that place wondered at this, build that over it and started worshipping it. It came to be present Mandoor Kandaswamy Koil. This temple is also named as “Sinnakkathirkamam”.

The Pooja methods and the administrative affairs are all similar to that of Kathirkamam. As in Kathirkamam, here took Mouna Pooja only takes place here. The priests, who conducts the Pooja is named as “Kappukanar”.

Only those who are born in the Kappuka Kudi only can come to this position on the here “Kappu Kanar” undergoes a religious rites as “Padikadaththal”. This rite is a must for the “Kappukanar” Padikadaththal means the actions of crossing the Moolasthana entrance and entering the Moolasthanam.

Entering the Moolasthanam. This is equal to the “Aachchariya Abishekam” which the temple Pooja priest do.

What is in the Moolasthanam of this temple is not known to anyone. It is kept as a “Parama Rakasiam”. But the Kappukanar is aware of this secrete. Even the temple administration too is ignorant of it (Vannakkarkal – administrators) They don’t ran open the Thirai (Screen) during the pooja, only after the pooja, the Kappalanar comes out, stands in front of the screen, stands there and pray on behalf of all, in the midst of the holy music of Sanku, Chemakkalam and temple bells. This appears to be mined touching scene.

The Annual festival of this temple takes place in the month of July 10th day after the full Moon day. The festival takes place for 20 days continuously, on the Full Moon day of August Theerththotsawam takes place. During the festival days. One of the member from Vedar family with his mouth tied covering with a piece of cloth, bows and in hands walks step by step following the procession of the Pusppavanam ground the temple veathy. This shows that the ancient relationship of them with this temple. During the festival season when the Araththy ladies fall unconsciously the Kappukanar sprinkle Theerktham water on them and brings them to normal condition. Sometime too, falls down in an unconscious stage, then he is brought to the Saba Mandapam and treatment is given soon he gets alright.

After the Theerthotsavam, certain items takes place there normally Kuddukkai Kooruthal and Maala Kooruthal, Kudukkai refers to Amuthamuddy. During the festival Arudpirasatham which is blessed by God Himself is given to those devotees who were involved in the temple administration and who were in charge of the festival itself. The vessel of the festival itself. The vessal that contains the Arul Firasatham known as Kudukkai.

At the start persons called Seerpaathakkaarar who belonged to places like Mandoor Kuruman Veli and Thurai Neelavanai had connection with this temple. In course of time Kekrakalappu Periya Kavuththan family people took the administrative activities in the name of Vannakkarkalakal later, to her two villages Koddaikakallaru and Peirykalaru, were added and the administration extended to all the 5 villages. Even today this same administration continues by the same group.

At Thillai Mandoorkoil it is said that many miracles occurred for example, during the rule of the British, British Army Commander Johnston came to Kandy avoiding the proper path he mid to come by the cross streets, cutting the fences etc which was very unruly and on that instant thousands and thousands of attacked the him and he couldn’t his weapons he ran away not knowing which path he was following etc. His guard sward were left back as a proof of his tasty backing. All wondered at this and soon the temple was renewed and reacted a standard position.

Thus, Mondoor Murukan blessed all His devotees getting rid of their worries and many poets composed many Thiruppadalkal on Lord Murukan and the following are some of them some of the composers are :- Pulolyyoor Vidva Vaithilingha thesikar, Pandit Murukesapillai, Pulovar Mnai A.Periyathambypillai, and Vinesiththamby – they have brought to the following Thiruppadalkal Mandoor Pathikam, Mandoor Iraddai Mani Malai, Mandoor Vedivelar Kurum and Mandoor Murukeu Kavadi songs.

NB : In at Batticaloa the temples which were supported by the ancient Kings who offered Maniam Seervarisai and other necessaries the regular Pooja, and Nivethanam and rites were known as Thiruppadaikkovilkal some such Templers were :- Thirukkoil Chithtira Velayutha Swamy, Kokkaddicholai, Thanthonreeswarar Koil, Periya Pooratheevu Koil, Chithira Velayutha Swamy Koil, Siththandi Kandaswamy Koil etc. They all come under thiruppadai Koilkal