Uthirakosamangai Arase

This is the only temple where an Emerald Nataraja idol is available for darshan of the devotees.  Also this is the only temple where the fragrant flower Thazhamboo is permitted for worship whereas the flower is forbidden for use in worship in other Shiva temples as this flower gave false evidence in favour of Brhamma as if he found the head of Lord Shiva. Brahmma also got relieved from the curse by worshipping the Lord from this temple. The Lord is a swayambumurthi appearing from the Ilandha tree which still exists in the temple.

The antiquity of Sri Mangalanathar-Mangaleswari temple dates far back. Mandodhari (wife of Ravana) was very adamant that she would marry only a Shiva devotee and did not mind waiting for the choice. She prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, asked the sages in the Ashrams to take care of one of the Veda Script (Agamas) as He was going to grace Mandodhar and told them that He would take back from them then on His turning back. The Lord appeared before Mandodhari as a child. Ravana who came there touched the child knowing It was Lord Shiva. Lord tested Ravana by changing Himself as fire. All the places in the world were caught in the fire. The sages, unable to protect the book given by the Lord fell in the fire tank nearby (Agni theertham) and died.

But sage Manickavasagar courageously withstood the fire and saved the scripture. The Lord graced Mandodhari’s wish and helped her wedding with Ravana. The Lord graced Manickavasagar granting His Linga form. The sage is still in the temple in the Linga form. The Lord is a Swayambu Linga appearing from the Ilandha tree. This is the only temple having a Nataraja idol made of Emerald.

The Ilandha tree dated more than 3000 years old.

Thirumurai 8.6

பாடல் எண் : 1
கடையவ னேனைக் கருணையி னாற்கலந்
    தாண்டுகொண்ட
விடையவ னேவிட் டிடுதிகண் டாய்விறல்
    வேங்கையின்தோல்
உடையவ னேமன்னும் உத்தர கோசமங்
    கைக்கரசே
சடையவ னேதளர்ந் தேன்எம்பி ரான்என்னைத்
    தாங்கிக்கொள்ளே.

கொள்ளேர் பிளவக லாத்தடங் கொங்கையர்
    கொவ்வைச்செவ்வாய்
விள்ளேன் எனினும் விடுதிகண் டாய்நின்
    விழுத்தொழும்பின்
உள்ளேன் புறமல்லேன் உத்தர கோசமங்
    கைக்கரசே
கள்ளேன் ஒழியவுங் கண்டுகொண் டாண்டதெக்
    காரணமே.

காருறு கண்ணியர் ஐம்புலன் ஆற்றங்
    கரைமரமாய்
வேருறு வேனை விடுதிகண் டாய்விளங்
    குந்திருவா
ரூருறை வாய்மன்னும் உத்தர கோசமங்
    கைக்கரசே
வாருறு பூண்முலை யாள்பங்க என்னை
    வளர்ப்பவனே.

வளர்கின்ற நின்கரு ணைக்கையில் வாங்கவும்
    நீங்கிஇப்பால்
மிளிர்கின்ற என்னை விடுதிகண் டாய்வெண்
    மதிக்கொழுந்தொன்
றொளிர்கின்ற நீள்முடி உத்தர கோசமங்
    கைக்கரசே
தெளிகின்ற பொன்னுமின் னும்மன்ன தோற்றச்
    செழுஞ்சுடரே.

O Rider of the Bull,
in mercy You had union with me – The lowest –,
and ruled me.
Will You let go Your hold on me?
O Lord-Owner whose clothing is The skin of a valiant tiger !
O Monarch Of aeviternal Uttharakosamangkai !
O One Of matted hair !
I stand enervated.
O my Lord-God,
raise and support me.

True,
I forsake not damsels whose lips are ruddy like The Kovvai-fruit and whose breasts are bewitchingly Close-set;
yet will You abandon me?
I am within The circle of Your lofty servitorship;
I stand not without.
O Monarch of Uttharakosamangkai,
though I –The deceitful one –,
have given You the slip,
Yet what may the reason be,
for Your tracing me And making me Your subject?

O Lord abiding at radiant.
Tiruvaaroor !
O sempiternal Sovereign of Uttharakosamangkai !
O One who is concorporate with Her of jewelled breasts Covered by a breast-band !
O One who fosters me !
I am like a tree rooted in the bank of the river – The pentad of senses whence flow the carnal joys Of dark-eyed dames;
yet will You forsake me?

O Uttharakosamangkai`s King in whose lofty crown glistering Glows the shoot – a white crescent !
O Salvific Lustre Like unto lucid,
auric and fulgurant light !
Lo,
I slipped from Your mercifully fostering hand,
and parted,
Shine tinsel-like;
yet,
will You forsake me?