Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

In Hindu Saiva world, the term “Koil” denotes Chithamparam and Chithamparam alone. As the same in Eelam the term “Koil” specially denotes Nallur Kandaswamy Koil. Nallur by itself is a town in Jaffna for along time it was ruled by Aariya Chakkaravarhtukal. Thus this fame goes to Nallur Aariya Chakkaravarhtukal belonged to “Saivaist”. Their Ministers and the citizens belonged to one and the same religion ie Saivaism. So it was rather very easy for the King to fulfill the duties of his citizens in the proper and easy way. As a result of this uniformity very many Sivan Temples wee built there for eg. Veilukanthapillaiyar Koil, Kailayanathar Koil, Saddanathar Koil, Veeramaha Kalu Amman and Neerveli Arakesari Pilliyar Koil were built by this crowd. Mostly these Temples were enriched with, Thevakoddankal, Yaaga Halls, Kalanchiam Madaippalli and Thirukulam can be specially mentioned here. At they sometime the temple was surrounded by towers, boundary walls, Nanthavanam, Akkraharam, Vethaaththiyayana Mandapam, Annathana Inns Chariot veethy, etc. There were also found Lotus Ponds, Thorana Mandapamedai with steps. In short this temple Nallur was in a stage of mentioning as Deva Nallur. Including the King all were rather very much interestes in maintaining this temple really as a Deva Nallur. As including the Kind a good number of Sivan temples were built in the surroundings and they all remained as a pretty support for the Kanthavel Temple alias Nallur Kanda Swamy Koil.

To and this particular temple was under the direct administration of the Jaffna Kings of that time. This very temple was built by Puvanekabahu the Prime Minister of Aria Chakkaravarththy. Also it is said that this very temple was built by another Puvanekabahu alias Shembakapperumal who conquered Jaffna in 1454. So how or other, the name “Puvanehabahu” is mentioned in the temple Kadaliam during the Mahatsava festival season. Even today this continues.

At Ancient Nallur were of 64 Veethy surrounding it. Though changes occurred from time to time the entire names remained unchanged. The inhabitants of that area too are still here doing their service to the so-called temple from time to time. This shows their and devotion to Nallur Murukan.

One King Singai, Pararaja Sekaran built a Thirumanchana Tank in the shape of g. He also brought the holy water form Yamuna River and filled this Tank. So thus Tank got the name as “Yamunaie” and now it is called “Yamunari”

Thus for 400 years everything went on well continuously and in 1621-2-2, Portuguese came and conquered these and unfortunately all the Hindu temples wee demolished by the Portuguese including the Nallur Kandaswamy Koil which was at that time at its top fame. The one who demolished this temple, was one British Commander named “Olivera”.

They demolished the temple and even damaged the foundation of the temple following in the year 1958.6.21. The Jaffna Kingdom fell into the hands of the Holland’s power and they built a suitable temple for their worship according to their religious believe where the Kandaswamy Koil existed. The building that is by the side of Yamuna Aeri now is the Thiruchchabai which belonged to Holland time.

Thus the foreigner could demolish the Nallur temple buildings only, but they could not at any rate erase the piety and devotion of the Jaffna people towards Nallur Murukan from their minds. It was firmly rooted in the minds.

In 1734 the devotees of Murukan built a small inn and used it for Purana Padana purpose within a short period, by the grace of God Murukan, one Ragunatha Maappanar who was a Government servant, using his popularity, reconstructed this very inn into a small temple using bricks using tiles for the roof etc. His generation continued this holy service and remains until today administrators during the name of Arankavalar.

At this time Sreela Sree Arumuganavalar came out with his idea that this Nallur temple ought to build with black stones and at the Moolasthanam instead of the Velayutham the idol of Murukapperuman. Also he offered Rs.31000/= to meet the expense says Nallur history. But this did not happen in Navalar’s period.

Only in the year 1902 the temple buildings were complete with black stones and in the year 1899 Halls and even a well-planned clock tower too was built. The proof far all this is found in in the so-called “Seppeadu”.

The Poojas are conducted here in the Kumara Thanthira Method. This is the only temple where this type of Pooja rites takes place besides it is to be mentioned that 6 time Pooja are daily conducted in this temple even during the festival season to the some method is strictly followed. At the 1st day of every month at the Thirumanjana well in the temple flower garden. Theeththam rites takes place. Also the Thirukarthikai Utsavam (festival) and Kanthasashdi special Poojas to Selva Muththucumara Swamy takes place regulary and in a special manner.

The annual festival of this temple takes place for 25 days of the festival the flag that is to be hoisted in the temple is brought to the temple in a cheroot by the Senguntha Marrabu descendants who still live at Nallur on the New Moon Day of the month f August every year the Theerththotsavam takes place and the car festival takes place on the previous day. A large number of Muruka devotees gather at the temple on Thursdays. These functions bring to mind Appar Swamikals describtion of theabove said festivals in his “Muthu Vithanam” in Thiruvarorupathkam and the Aathinam Nal special scene.

The procession of Arumukap Peruman in the car chariot on car testival day, dressed in green silk and flowers at attracts one sand all the inner meaning of decorating God Murukan all in green silks and flowers is that, it is indirectly saying that he is the Amsam of Sathasiva Moorthtam and he will bless all devotees always with what all they need.

In this temple each and every Moorthy is decorated with genuine gold, diamond and vaira ornaments and even the Vahanams are all rich and genuine.

At the east enthrone of the temple, there is a strong and decorative Kopuram of 5 flats, and by the side of which they are two beautiful clock towers, with smart appearance. At the south entrance another tower decorates and gives a smart appearance to this there are the Theerththa tank and Palani Aandavar temple. During the yearly festival season the Theerththotsavam takes place in this very Theerthakeni. Surrounding the temple, there are many inns, the one near the Thear Muddy the popular “Arupaththu Moovar Kurupoosai” in there. This very inn is known as “Sadai Amman” Madam. It was built in the year 1892.

This famours temple was worshipped by Sellappa Swamikal and Yogawamimal who belonged to the Jaffna “Siththor Peramparai”

The name of the land where this temple is now is “Kurukkal Valavu” According to the legal deeds the temple land belongs to one Ampalavanar Kanthappa Chettiyar (Ambaalavanar stands for Shivan and Kanthappa Chettiyar stands for the son of Shivan, Murukan) on this temple more this 45 poets have composed Paamalai.