Munnicuvaram (Munnesvaram) Kovil: Its History, Ceremonies and Layout

by Prof. A. Veluppillai
A brief history of the Munnicuram kovil
Among the renowned Siva kovils which emerged in various parts of Ilankai,
Munnicuvaram kovil at Cilapam in the western part of Ilankai was prominent and
extolled as a kovil of great antiquity. The presiding deity is called Sri
Munnainathar ('Lord of antiquity') and the goddess is Sri Vativampika Devi
(`goddess of beautiful form'). Munnicuvaram being a great Saiva shrine became a
centre of highest devotion where people of various categories paid homage to the
presiding deity. Thus this is extolled as a sacred site (punya ksetra), and
renowned for its murti, ('deity'), sthala ('sacred place'), and tirtha ('sacred
ford') aspects.

In addition to its mythological significance having a tradition of epics and
puranas,[1] the kovil has a long and significant history.[2] The ancient
tradition of this kovil has attracted the kings who reigned in different
periods. The inscriptions attached to this kovil bore record to the wealth which
the successive kings with true devotion provided to the regular service of the
kovil. This kovil appears to be one of the important temples in the territory of
Kotte in the fifteenth century. The Tamil inscription of the Parakramabahu VI
(1412­-1467) found in Munnicuvaram reflects the patronage extended by this king
by granting land and money to the kovil and its brahmin priests.[3] The king
took interest in the reno­vation of the kovil too. The kovil is mentioned in the
Kokila Sandesaya which was written in his reign, and we can presume that this
kovil would have had a long tradition and its origin would go back to a period
earlier to this King.[4]

The royal patronage to the kovil of Munnicuvaram continued until the 16th
century, and during this period another ruler of Kotte Parakramabahu IX
(1509-1528 A.D.), donated extensive lands to the kovil by recording in a copper
plate inscription.[5] It records his visit to this kovil and the endowment.

It is worthwhile to mention here that any donation or contribution for
renovation of a Saiva kovil is honoured as a 'holy act' (punya karya) in Saiva
tradition. Since this kovil is claimed to be an ancient one, the kings and the
people would have developed a high devotion and these grants reflect as the
token of their devotion. As a result of this Munnicuvaram attracted more
devotees who visited on pilgrimage and attained similar prominence to that of
Tirukkoneccuram. At the same time it developed to be a centre for Saiva
religious and cultural activities and rituals were performed in accordance to
the prescribed form. More communities were settled around the kovil to attend to
the various activities of maintenance of this great kovil.

The rise of Portuguese power in the Kingdom of Kotte in the 16th century led to
the downfall of this kovil. The Portuguese soldiers caused a complete damage to
this flour­ishing kovil by razing it to the ground in 1578.[6] This seems to be
a common incident in the history of the most of the leading kovils in Ilankai.
Whenever these kovils met with devastation or damage by any force, the kings,
priests and people with great devotional spirit engaged themselves in
restoration activities and caused the regular kumbhabhiseka to be held
accordingly.

Kumbhabhiseka ceremonies held in Munnicuvaram
The renovation activities and the consecration ceremonies are said to be the
special features in the history of the kovils. The devastated Munnicuvaram kovil
was renovated in the eighteenth century by the Nuvaran King Kirti Sri Rajasinha
(1747-1782 A.D.) and the kumbhabhiseka ceremonies were performed in the year
1753. For the regular per­formance of the daily and special rituals of the
kovil, he made a grant of extensive lands to the priests of the kovil, through a
copper plate in the same year.[7] The maintenance of this kovil later became the
responsibility of the priests. N. Coomaraswamy Kurukkal (1816-1909 A.D.),[8] who
was a leading priest attached to this lineage of priests of this kovil, took a
great initiative to renovate the main sanctum (garbhagrha, 'womb-house'), the
main hall (mahamandapa), and the semi-hall (ardha-mandapa) and performed the
consecration of the kovil in 1875 A.D.

During the period of M. Somaskanda Kurukkal (1886-1940) of this kovil, a
kum­bhabhiseka ceremony was held under his guidance and leadership in 1919. It
is appro­priate here to mention about the priesthood who were the custodian of
agamic tradition and we can mention the contributions of M. Somaskanda Kurukkal
as an example. He was well versed in vedic and agamic texts, paddhatis (ritual
manuals), grammar and philosophy. He possessed a good knowledge in the fields of
silpa-texts and was familiar with the prescriptions of image-making. He was an
exponent in performing the special rituals in kovils and widely performed
kumbhabhiseka in the major kovils in Ilankai. He had travelled widely in India
and witnessed the kumbhabhiseka rituals performed there. He had initiated
fruitful discussions with the priests versed in agamic ritual traditions.

It is worth to mention here that during this period, he contributed by holding
the position of chief-advisor (sarvabhodaka, 'one who is skilled in all the
rituals'), in the kumbhabhiseka ceremony held in Sri Meenakshi Sundaresvara
kovil. This is a clear inci­dent which shows that the agamic traditions were
prevelant in kovils both in South India and Ilankai.

The priests from Ilankai too were honoured in South India for their versatility
in agamic rituals.[9] In maintaining the traditions of this kovil, another
kumbhabhiseka was performed in this kovil on a grand scale in July, 1963, during
the adminstrative pe­riod of S. Balasubramania Kurukkal, after completing the
main renovations In the kovil.[10] The kumbhabhiseka of this kovil (which forms
the special aspect of this paper) was performed on 4th July 1991, under the
supervision and guidance of Prof. K. Kailacanata Kurukka.[11]

In analysing these historical events in this kovil, we can say that this kovil
has stood as a centre for maintaining the Saiva traditions and agamic ritual
systems. Also we are in a position to know the lineage of the priesthood that
has contributed to the de­velopment of this kovil tradition.

Munnicuvaram kovil lay-out
This kovil stands as a great monument surrounded by various other small shrines.
To the south-east of the kovil is one kovil dedicated to Vinayakar ('the god who
has no Lord above'). A kovil dedicated to Aiyanar ('deity of reverence') is
situated in the northeast corner of the third path-way of the kovil. The Kali
(black-goddess) kovil stands m the northern part of the chariot pathway and in
the southern direction of the outer courtyard of this kovil is situated another
Vinayakar kovil. Thus this area is honoured by the devotees as a sacred place.

The kovil that faces to the east consists of three pathways around it. A sacred
pond is situated in front of the kovil and a Bo-tree stands by the side of it,
glorified as the tree of the kovil (sthala vrksa). The main sanctum here is the
one which is largest in comparison to other kovils in Ilankai, and finial in the
structure above the sanctum (vimana 'the one which is well measured') is also
large in proportion. The various architec­tual aspects of this kovil conform to
the prescriptions laid down in the agamas.

The garbhagrha and the adjoining hall (ardha mandapa) are built in granite stone
keeping to the traditional art of kovil building.

Siva linga is installed in the main sanctum of this kovil, which is also large
in size. Siva as the undivided causal principle is worshipped in the linga. His
more manifest as­pects are represented in various other images. The linga
represents the male aspect and the pitha as a yoni represents the female
principle complementing the male principle of linga; both together reflect the
Siva-Sakti concept. In Saiva tradition the linga is the most sacred and highly
venerated object. Hence Siva linga is installed in the garbhagrha 'womb-house'
of any Siva kovil.

The daksina murti ('the god facing the south') is installed in the southern
direc­tion of the outer wall of the main sanctum, the sculpture of which is one
of the best pro­duction of a skilled artist. The lingodbhava murti ('the god
manifests in the linga') is enshrined in the western wall of the main sanctum. A
separate shrine is dedicated to Sakti who faces to the south. Separate shrines
are allocated for the surrounding deities (parivara devatas), such as
Vighnesvara (`Lord of Obstacles'), Murukan, Turk­kai (Durga: 'Goddess who is
difficult to transgress'), Visnu and Bhairava (`terrific form').

Candesvarar is installed in an independent shrine in the northeast of the main
sanctum. Lord Nataraja ('Dancing King') is in bronze idol enshrined in a
separate hall. A kovil for the nine planets (navagraha) also finds a place in
the hall adjoining the sthambha mandapa (flagstaff hall). Another special aspect
to be mentioned is the installation of the bronze icons of 63 devotees of Siva
(Civan-atiyars), in a shrine room. There are other forms of Siva: Candrasekhara
murti,(the god with the crescent moon as the ornament in the hair'), Bhiksatana
(`roaming beggar'), and Somaskanda ('the god with Uma and Skanda), in bronze are
installed for worship.

The various halls (mandapas) add to the magnificent structure of this kovil.
Next to the central sanctum is the sacrarium (ardha mandapa). This is followed
by the maha­ mandapa (main-hall), nrtta-mandapa (dance hall), sthambha-mandapa

(flagstaff hall), vasanta-mandapa (spring hall), and yaga-sa1a (sacrifice hall),
reflecting the architectural aspect of this kovil. There are six daily worships
(pujas) held and vari­ous special rituals are performed according to the agamic
prescriptions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End Notes


[1]  B. Sivaramakrishna Sarma, Sri Munnesvara Varalaru [The History of Sri
Munnesvaram Temple] (Colombo: The Colombo Co-operative Printers' Society Ltd.,
Colombo,1968), p. 4 ff. See also C. Rasanayagam, Ancient Jaffna. (First
published in 1926) (New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1984), p.
83: M. Somaskanda Kurukkal, Sri Munnesvara Manmiyam, [The Glories of Sri
Munnesvaram] (Colombo Virakesari Printers, Colombo, 1949), pp. 13-34.

[2]  S. Pathmanathan, "Buddhism and Hinduism in Sri Lanka: Some points of
contact between two religious traditions (circa A.D. 1300-1600), Lanka, No 4,
ed. Peter Schalk, March, 1990. pp.102-103. Also see P.E. Peiris, "Nagadipa and
Buddhist Remains in Jaffna", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Ceylon
Branch, XXVI, No. 70, (1917), pp. 17-18.

[3] B. Sivaramakrishna Sarma, op. cit., pp.50-51.

[4] S. Pathmanathan, "Buddhism and Hinduism in Sri Lanka: Some points of contact
between two religious traditions" (circa A.D. 1300-1600), loc. cit.

[5] S. Somaskanda Kurukkal, op. cit, p. 36.

[6] Ibid., p. 37. Also see B. Sivararnkrishna Sarma. op. cit., p. 10.

[7] B. Sivaramakrishna Sarma, op. cit, p.10.

[8] Somaskanda Kurukkal, op. cit., p. 38. The title 'kurukkal' is given to a
priest who has gone through the expected initiation to become a chief priest,
well versed in performing the special rites of the temple.

[9] B. Sivararnakrishna Sanna, op. cit., p. 40. Also ref. K. Kailasanatha
Kurukkal, Caivauirukkovir kiri­yai neri [Ritual traditions of Saiva Temples]
(Colombo: The Hindu Literary Society, Colombo. 1963). pp. vii-xii.

[10] For a detailed discussion on the process of kumbhabhiseka held in 1963, see
Sri Munnesvaram Sri Vativambika sameda Munnanatha Swamy Devasthana Maha
kumbhabhiseka Souvenir (Munnesvaram, 1963), pp. 70-78.

[11] K. Kailasanatha Kurukkal, Professor Emeritus and a scholar in Sanskrit, is
well versed in the theory and practical aspects of temple rituals and agamic
traditions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This article was published in Uppsala Studies in the History of Religions (2)
1995, pp. 68-71. © Uppsala University

Prof. A. Veluppillai
Dept of the History of Religions
University of Uppsala
Box 1604 75146
Uppsala, Sweden
E-mail: velu@...

See also "Ancient, legendary temple of Munneswaram" by Christie Fernando
Research articles from the First International Conference on Skanda-Murukan
LankaBhumi.org home page

Hi,

To all Devotees Of Lord Sri Muneeswarar, Sri Marathadi Muneeswarar Temple will
be conducting their annual prayers on 25th of December 2010 @ Jalan bena.

Prayers will Commenced @ 0800hrs and last till the 2100hrs. Devotees who wish to
contribute or take part in any of the prayers can email the temple for
assistance. Also there will be pal kudom poccesion which devotees would just
have to bring their own kudom and milk while flowers will be provided;there will
not be any participation fees for the pal kudom event.

thank u...

hello every one i like to know all types of muneeswaran mantram and sangili
karuppar mantram could anyone help me with this ?

hi bro..

im not sure bout this mantras but i got it from net..

MUNEESWARAN MOOLA MANTRA

Om ham yogeewaraya yogavalapaaya
Saagala yopalaprathaaya thusta gragamarthanaya
Muneewawaraya the namaha

MUNEESWARAN GAYATRI MANTRA

Om muneeswaraya namaha
Om bulandavayaa vidmahe,
Suula hastaya Dheemahi
Thanno muniswara prachodayat!!!
MUNEESWARAN GAYATRI MANTRAS

Om tatpurushaya vidmahe,
Maha veeraya Dheemahi
Thanno muniswara prachodayat!!!

Om kanaga vasaya vidmahe,
Katka hastaya Dheemahi
Thanno muniswara prachodayat!!!

Om Kanaga Vasaya Vidmahe
Trisula (sula) hastaya Dheemahi
Thanno Muniswara Prachodayat!!!

Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe
Maha Devaya Parivara Dheemahi
Thannop Muniswara Prachodayat!!!

Om haam vam vanesvaraya, jeevara chagaya, loga sanj saraanaya, shaowbakya
prathaayagaaya
vaal muniswaraya namaha!!!

Om katka hastaya Dheemahi
Sukraprathaya Dheemahi
thanno val muniswaraya prachodayat!!!

Om sri thavamuniswaraya hamsaya vidmahe,
Parama hamsaya Dheemahi
Thanno hamsap prachodayat!!!

Om purupoowaya namaha, saum klim iyum klim iyum bagawathy namaha, om sakthi
muniswaraya namaha!!!

Om namah shivayah sri maha jada muniswaraya namaha
Om thanda hasthaya Dheemahi
Jada mukhundaaya Dheemahi
Thanno sri maha jada muniswaraya prachodayat!!!

apart from all this mantras...ur true devotion to Appa is more than enough...

Om Sri Malayala Karuppannan Thunai!

--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, "anandha" <ashankar88@...> wrote:
>
> hello every one i like to know all types of muneeswaran mantram and sangili
karuppar mantram could anyone help me with this ?
>

Dear Ayiah Devotees,

We are cordially inviting all Ayiah Devotees to participate & get the blessing of Ayiah Madurai Veeran  in  the Maa Veeran Historic City Arulvaaku Alayam-Melaka- Thiruvala On 19th December 2010 ,

Lunch & payer @1.00pm

Karagam ,Pal kavadi on Saturday 17^th @7.30 pm,

Main Kaval deties - Madurai Veeran Ayiah,

                       - Muniyandi Appa,

                        -Sangli Karupar

 Thiruval notice in our website . Please visit web site

http://maa.veeran.temple.50megs.com (go to links in this group ,  it is listed there)

For those friends who are coming by bus please inform me early

. Please advice me by E mail the No of coming in  your Group  to  hollasia@... & temple.maaveeran@...

For the people who are coming for the 1^st time

Melaka is a beautiful city with 500 years of History .we has plenty of places to visit here.

So plan a visit to Melaka  have a good Holiday & get the blessing of Maa Veeran Ayiah

For those who want to have  Holiday  , please book hotels early as it is holiday season

For other information please E mail me or Call / Sms 016-3333235

MAY THE LORD MAA VEERAN  AYIAH BLESS ALL OF YOU

Selvakumar.S

Trustee Sri Maa Veeran Historic City Arulvaaku Alayam

Melaka

Please  forward this E mail  to other Ayiah devotees you know

Munishswarar is a dravidian kaval deivam. he definitely doesn't have any gayatri
mantra or any other sanscrit mantras. just pray to him whole heartedly that's
the best mantra. please don't get carried away by the scansritization process.

Hello Friend,

I'm a zen meditation, student....I was under constant psychic attack by a very
negative person ....he has somehow opened his third eye ...I reported him to Sri
Muneeswarar ..and my throat got cured and he is punishing him ...When I was  a
child, I heard stories like "Muni pidithal" ..which means muni never leaves bad
people.

I heard that he was called as Muniyandi appa in earlier times ..now my only
questino is whether he acknowledges the new term Muneeswarar in one of his arul
vakkus?

Thank you,
Kousik

The demon's blogspot is..

http://kriptodanny.blogspot.com


--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, cvaravindhan <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Munishswarar is a dravidian kaval deivam. he definitely doesn't have any
gayatri mantra or any other sanscrit mantras. just pray to him whole heartedly
that's the best mantra. please don't get carried away by the scansritization
process.
>

Yes..very powerful lord..and one important thing I found out that there are
different gods for different purposes ..and one has to find the right god for
doing the appropriate job.

I just have one doubt ...I try to talk telepathically to the lord..i get
messages ...but i'm not really that spiritually advanced to know whether it's
ayya itself or my own mind.

I would like to know whether he acknowledges the new term "Muneeswaran"....I got
the telepathic message as "Muni itself means me" ....you can add anything
respectful to it aftewards...and it will be addressed to me ....yet im doubtful.

Has he acknowledged the new term Muneeswaran ? as I heard he was called as
Muniyandi in earlier days...

forgive me ...I get lots of doubts...because I know one has to chant the right
name.


--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, anandha shankar <ashankar88@...> wrote:
>
> yes you are right ayya never leave the bad ones just like that ayya surely
give
> punishment with his whip and karungalli dhandam ayya is a dharmam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: kousikramesh <kousikramesh@...>
> To: lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 8:20:32 AM
> Subject: [Lord Muneeswarar] Re: no mantras for munishswarar
>
>
> Hello Friend,
>
> I'm a zen meditation, student....I was under constant psychic attack by a very
> negative person ....he has somehow opened his third eye ...I reported him to
Sri
> Muneeswarar ..and my throat got cured and he is punishing him ...When I was  a
> child, I heard stories like "Muni pidithal" ..which means muni never leaves
bad
> people.
>
> I heard that he was called as Muniyandi appa in earlier times ..now my only
> questino is whether he acknowledges the new term Muneeswarar in one of his
arul
> vakkus?
>
> Thank you,
> Kousik
>
> The demon's blogspot is..
>
> http://kriptodanny.blogspot.com
>
> --- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, cvaravindhan <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> > Munishswarar is a dravidian kaval deivam. he definitely doesn't have any
> >gayatri mantra or any other sanscrit mantras. just pray to him whole
heartedly
> >that's the best mantra. please don't get carried away by the scansritization
> >process.
> >
>

this link will help u...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjOeJqzupWo

cheers~~~

--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, Don Mann <rattlesnake07@...> wrote:
>
> good day guys.
>
> just wanna inquire regarding muniswarar. how many type of them or how many
names do muniswarar has?? some got tell me that muniswarar was born frm sivan's
body.
> which muniswarar was born frm which part of sivan?? but great thing to know is
how many of them all together..
> hope anyone here will help me..
>
> thanks..
>
> om namah sivayah!!
>

Dear members,

Do you have any info on Pattavan Ayyah? If yes please share.

Thank you.

Sharmalan Thevar

Hie, do anyone have 108 karupanasamy namavali? Please send to me.

Thanks

Hello brother,

Not sure if there is a namavalli for Karupar like for the Vedic deities but you
can get some info from Veeramanidasan's song 108 Karupar. You can get the clip
from Youtube.

Regards,

Sharmalan Thevar

--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, "rajdev" <rajdev01@...> wrote:
>
> Hie, do anyone have 108 karupanasamy namavali? Please send to me.
>
> Thanks
>

Dear All,

Periya Andavar and Poo Aadai Kaari are our kula deivam. But none of my family
members know how to pray to them, what to offer. Where are their temples.... We
know next to nothing... Is thr anyone out thr who could shed some light over
this matter... Thank yo so much.

- Rishi
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Hi there friends.

I would like to take this oppurtunity to inform all of you that our temple Om
Sri Jada Jothy Khotai Muniswarar Alayam with cooperation of KTM berhad are
organizing Thaipusam festival this year.

KTM approval letter available, MPS permit available, Electricity available and
canopy also provided. All for one good rental price for 4 days starting 18th
January till 22 January 2011.

those who are interested in opening a business for Thaipusam or if you know
anyone who really wants to start a temporary Thaipusam stall please kindly call
us or mail us at mallesh_bc@... 016-3105743.

friends if you need more information please send in your mail ID and I will send
you back details you have requested as soon as possible.

anyone with good business plan are invited and encouraged to apply.

Thank you and hope to hear from you guys soon.

I met someone last week who told me that her Kula Deivam is Poo Adai Amman.
According to her, Poo Adai Amman is a virgin goddess. I will try to get more
details and will let you know.

Regards,

Sharmalan Thevar

--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, rishidran@... wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> Periya Andavar and Poo Aadai Kaari are our kula deivam. But none of my family
members know how to pray to them, what to offer. Where are their temples.... We
know next to nothing... Is thr anyone out thr who could shed some light over
this matter... Thank yo so much.
>
> - Rishi
> Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry� smartphone
>

Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Thank you. Will check it out some day.  For now, these are the info which I
managed to gather.

1)When Pathala Veeran was defeated by Vaal Muni, his body was buried beneath the
ground with only the head on the surface. The head was stepped by Vaal Muni. At
this moment, the defeated Pathala Veeran requested Vaal Muni for a boon. He
wishes to be worshipped alongside Vaal Muni. Vaal Muni granted the boon. Since
then, ritual animal sacrifice is made for Pathala Veeran to fullfill the boon
granted to him by Vaal Muni.  He became the attendant of Vaal Muni. Vaal Muni is
said to be the bodyguard of Pachaiamman.

2)Goddess Pachaimman was attacked by 7 Asuras.  The Asuras were defeated by the
7 Munis who were the bodyguards of Pachaimman. However, the last Asura, Ugra
Veeran was difficult to defeat. The Goddess then summoned Vaal Muni to defeat
Ugra Veeran and he was finally defeated. Ugra Veeran realised his sin and seek
to be forgived by the Goddess. She forgave him and made him as one of her
bodyguards alongside the 7 Munis who protected her.

3) Vaal Muni is from a royal lineage. He did penance and became the guardian
deity of the forest. His favourite colour is blue.

Regards,

Sharmalan Thevar

--- In lordmuneeswarar@yahoogroups.com, viknesh vicky <vicky_fuzz88@...> wrote:
>
> Hi bro's and aiya devotee,
>    Juz wana share some info. Fyi, there is one Vaazhmuni temple at Rantau
NS... The place name is Kuala Sawah... You can go there and get any info bout
Vaazhmuni aiyah from the temple comitte......
>
> Sharing is caring
>
> --- On Sun, 26/12/10, sharmalan1984 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>