Tirumangalakudi

Kaveri was in full flow. No land ceiling act. Many karyasthars and kanakkupillais to run agriculture. Even when land ceiling ws introduced, one can always register land in the name of karyasthar. So, lots of money and nothing worthwhile to do. Thanjavur jilla mirasdars needed entertainment. It was available for asking. And how! Tirumangalakudi was one of the centres of entertainment. It was packed with women of music and dance. And entertainment. Mirasdars headed for it in droves. And lost their land and money. All that is history. Read T Janakiraman stories on this phenomenon. Now, Tirumangalakudi is a sleepy village on the northern bank of Kaveri, about 10km east of Kumbakonam,  on the way to Suryanar Kovil and so basks in the reflected glory. 

By itself, it has a hoary past and glorious temple. Prana Varadeswarar (now corrupted to Prananatheswarar) and Mangala Nayaki are the presiding deities. Pancha Mangala kshetram - Mangala Vimanam, Mangala Vinayakar, Mangala Ambikai and Mangala Tirtham. It is 38th on the North of Kaveri temples, sung by Sambandar (link to padhigam) & Appar (Padhigam). Appar mentions sthalapuranam of the temple in the padigam - that Vishnu, Kali, Brahma, Agasthya worshipped here. 

A tax collector built the temple out of taxt money (a la Bhadrachalam Ramadas). King ordered him dead.  Tax collecto's wife prayed to Mangala Nayaki who brought him alive.  

Temple is under the management of Tiruvavaduthurai adheenam. The adheenam whiwas a seat of Tamil scholarship and music. Read U Ve Swaminatha Iyer to know more.

Pl contact Jagadisa Sivacharyar 94440 36383. 0435 247 0480. Temple is open from 630 - 1230 and 4pm - 830.

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