Nainadivu Nagabhusani Amman Temple

There are many islands in the south west sea area in Jaffna Peninsula. There islands are called “Saptha Theevukal” (7 islands). There was a big relationship between these island in religion basis and commercial basis. In those days milk from Neduntheevu and (Pasuththeevu) and flowers from Kachchaitheevu wee taken to Rameshwaram temple by Jaffna devotees. Nayinatheevu has got its specialty. Apart from its historical importance, there is another attribute to this temples that this belongs to the Sakthi Peeda Thala importance among the worshipped of Eelam. When the devotees from Tamil Nadu visit our county on Pilgramage, this Sakthi Peedam as Naiyinai Nagapooshani Amman Temple is worshipped.

Some years ago those visiting Nayinatheevu have to go to Karai Nagar from Jaffna and then they take boat from there and sail to Naiyinathevu. But now the travelling has become easy for they use machine boats from Punkudu Theevu and sail to Naiyinatheevu which takes a short time and travelling rather easy.

In the north coast of our country in ancient time lived a race named “Nagar”. They were Shiva worshippers, also they were very pious and cultured. They piety of a high standard as the control their five sense and long divinity owing to this they have built many temples with big statures of Gods and Goddesses. In such religious atmospheres wager, lived and it was during this period, they built many temples and among them stands as the best the so-called Nagaposhani Amman temple. In reference to this, we can mention and refer to the temples at the east of Vadamarachi as, Nagathambiran Koil at Nagar Koil, Puliyam Pokkanai Nagathambiran Koil in the Jaffna Province Karaichy Village sectin, Pulliankulam Poothur Nagathambiran Koil next to Maankulam, Kaakkai Parichchan Nagathmbiran Koil at Muthur, Kokkaddicholai and Bandariveli Nagathambiran Koil, and so on the Ancient Nagar worshipped Ainthalala (5 heads) Naga tmeples which are in ruined stage now, at Mathavu Vaiththa Kulam, and Kuruththukulam. There is also found a Naga Thevan Thurai, now, at Poonakari.

Also the following names remind us about the ancient Nagar and their Avingi such as, Nagar, Naganathan, Nagaraja, Nagaiah, Nagalingam, Nagamma, Nageswari, Nagaposhani, Nagananthini, Nagaluxmi, Nagaratnam etc. One on such temples worshipped by Nagar is Thirukketheeswaram temple at Mathoddam. It also said that “Naganathar” is another name for Thirukketheescharam. Thus Nagar is considered be the ancient cultured people and such a relationship prevails beat Saivasims and Nayinainagapooshani temple.

The mileage of the surrounding area of Naiyinatheevu is 4 miles, among which are 150 acres of lands belongs to the temple. The other names of Naiynatheevu are Nagatheevu “Manipallavam” Manitheevu, Pirammanatheevu. In the eipc Manipallavam refers to this place only. There are also other names as, Nagatheevu, Manippalavam, Manitheevu and Bhiramanatheevu, to this island. The Godess of this temple is also known as Nagammal and Nageswari. The exact year on which this temple was found is unknown. But it is great in saying among the 64 Sakthi Peedamkal this one is great and special with grace.

A story is behind the history of this temple. Once upon a time. One Nagam wa worshipping Ambikai’s in Nayinatheevu and one day the very snake Nagam, on its way while bringing flowers for Ambikai’s Pooja one eagle sew this Nagam and with an idea of killing it was rounding at the top of a stone at the sea beach Vanikan a merchant who saw this scene wanted to safe the Nagam from the eagle and so he stopped and requested the Karudan alias eagle to leave the Nagam area without Killing it, but the Eagle answered that it will do so, if the Vanikan could give all his wealth to it, and the kind and good minded Vanikan, fulfilled the eagle’s request by giving all his wealth to it, and the eagle too kept up to its word by leaving the Nagam free. Then the Vanikan returned to his village and there he saw an unordinary flash of light in front of him, and all the way there he found precious stone like Navaratna stone on which he wondered and came to the conclusion that all this was due to the blessings of Nayinai Ambal. After which, he rebuilt the old Nayina Amman temple into a big one and appointed one Nayinai Paddar for the daily Pooja at the temple and took the responsibility of administrating the same. It is said, that two things the stone on which the Nagam rounded and the others stone on which the eagle sat are to be seen there even today.

This temple has long time relationship with the Vanika people, and the inn found there stands as a proof to this. The name Padaku Thurai makes it clear that for a long time there has been a harbor there, convenient for the ship transport etc. At the west side of this island, there is a place with the name “Padaku Thirai”.

The Kalsasanam of the King Parakiramavahu who ruled Pollanaruwa in the 12th stands as a proof for the above said events.

Thus this temple of Nagapooshani Ambal which was throughout famous for it’s time and grace was praised by the see Vannika a Ampal alais Annai Nagapooshani is always the Godness who protects them; but unfurnately a time came when the British Parankiyar destroyed this temple too. How sad! But the name and fame existed owing to the piety of the people who lived there and their culture of sticking to one and the some religion ie “Saivaism” one thing is to be mentioned her is that unlike this Nayinai Nagapooshani Amman Temple, the following temples found there were all were demolished by the British. The Templers were as follows:- Puttalam Karaitheevu Koil, Katpiddy Nachchi Amman Koil, Meeadchi Amman Koil and (Bentota) Kalikovil.

The temple that of Nagapooshani Amman was rebuilt to a certain extent by the Ollanthar Kings then, from time to time constructions took place and this temple is at its full Prime on the West entrance of the temple the Thoolalingham tower which was built in 1935 gives a smart and holy appearance for the temple.

The Vimanam port and this temple was completely done by Sellakkannu Sithapathy who completed the Thiruketheesvara temple Thiruppani an able and this was on the 25th of April 1951.

Ambal’s chariot on which they comes out during the temple festival remains a grand one made by Tamil Nadu Nagar Koil S. Cumaraswamy Achchariya on the advice of Kunnakkudi Adikalar. It is considered to be one of the best chariot found in Eelam.

Daily to times Poojas are conducted at this temple and the yearly festival takes place in the month of July Theerththatsavam on the full Moon day of June and chariot festival on the previous day the yearly festival is of the duration for 15 days. A thick crowd of people collect to worship Nayina Ambal during the festival days. When Ambal blessed them being on the chariot during the festival days, the sound of the devotees sounding “Arohara” reaches the haven says the soectatabts. None of the devotee leaves the place until chariot returns back to it spot. The festival named “Theppautsavam” takes place of the next day of the Theerththotsavam, also one of the special and holy item among the Poojas of this temple is the Sree Chakkara Pooja that takes place during the Navarathiri days.

This particular Thalam has been a long time residence for Lords, Scholars, poets, devotees etc. Here a piety wave is present permanently and this is the reason for the gathering of such a big crowd.

Todays this temple is well maintained by an Arankavalar Board of 9 members and the Chief Priest of this temple is a well-known priest named Sivapoosa Thuranthar Pirathasdapooshanam Siva Sree I. Kailasanathakkurukkal.

This temples Uonchal song was composed by Vannai M. Amarasinha Pulavar.

The following texts narrates the special history of the above mentioned temples.

Varalaru Koorum Nool Naiyani Nageswary Kulasabanathan

Even Buddhists visit this temple. It can be said that this temple is like a bridge to link Saiva Tamils, and Sinhala Buddhists. This is nothing but the grace of Annai Parasakthy and her blessing.

NB:- IN the past, thinking that the 5 senses were always with the as 5 enemies inducing then to do what even they preferred and so to escape from this and to have it in their minds they began to worship the idols of Pancha Thalai Nagam, having the same idols both at temples and at homes Also they had the habit of wearing ornaments in the shape of Pancha Thalai Nagam. They plea the idol of the Pancha Thalai Nagam, just opposite the idols of God item self. The () in to heart that the 5 heads of the Nagam indicates the 5 type of enemies to Mankind an to escape from this they placed the idol of God in front of the idol of Pancha Thalai Nagam which made them to pray for nothing but the blessings of God to even the 5 enemies ie. Impulenkal.

They considered their mind as Nagam and the five eye, nose, mouth. Ears and body, as it’s to 5 heads. The idea prevailed among the common people that as the poison of Pancha Thalai Nagams kills mankind the 5 senses of man also will hurt and kill Mankind controlling the evils of the Nagam by Vishnu Bhaleavan is indicated by his Sayanam on the Pancha Thalai Nagam.