SRI VETRIVEL MURUGAN TEMPLE, MANAMPATTI
Si Manampatti is a village where we can find our beautiful Vettrivel Murugan Temple. Though the exact date of construction is not known, but according to the locals, this temple is expected to be constructed before few centuries ago. In this Temple, Murugan appears without his consorts Ma Valli and Ma Devasena. Lord Murugan sits on his peacock with a raised hand, and blesses the devotees.
The temple is kept open for devotees from 6 to noon and from 4 pm to 9 pm. On Tuesdays and Fridays (as well as the other important days in Subramanya Kshetrams like Panguni Uthiram, Thai Poosam and Vaikasi Visakam), the temple is kept open even during the night time till the last devotee completes the darshan. In this respect, this is a unique temple. The contact number is 98428 13884. As per legend, there was one atheist living in this area nearly 200 years ago. He was suffering from serious health problems and he was about to die. One night, Murugan appeared in his dream with His peacock. The patient woke up and asked his relatives for food. Hence, he decided to construct a temple for Murugan in his village and the idol was crafted in the way in which he had seen the Lord in the dream.
Like in other Murugan temples, Panguni Uthiram is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple. During one such occasion, when a coconut offered for pooja was broken, it had four divisions (clefts or pilavus in Tamil) inside. This is such a rare occurrence that this coconut is still preserved in the temple office. Note: Photos and some of the inputs were collected from various websites.
As per legend, once the nine planets (Navagrahas) visited this temple and worshipped Lord Muruga in order to get relieved from their curse, and hence this temple Muruga is also known as Navagraha Vetrivel Murugan.
Devotees used to sing songs in praise of Navagrahas at this temple, and those songs are as follows: –
SONGS IN PRAISE OF THE NAVAGRAHAS
LORD SURYA
Oh, the great Lord Surya, my respectful salutations to you! You are the Lord for the Sunday, you are the best among all the planets, and you are the creator of brightness in this world, your duty is endless, and without any boredom you are discharging your duties wonderfully!
I bow to the great Sun god, who rides on the holy chariot driven by seven horses, and you are the pious son of Rishi Kashyapa and Ma Aditi.
I bow to the Sun god, who is considered as the grandfather of the entire world, and he is the one who removes the sins and problems from us.
I bow to the Sun, who contains powers similar to the Trimurties and the Tridevis.
I bow to the Sun, who is the Lord of the Lords and the king of the Kings, and he also known as Surya Narayanan, since he contains the features of Lord Vishnu, please raise up in the sky to beautify the entire universe through your sun rays. I bow to the Sun, who wears beautiful garlands and golden ornaments on his body. Please show your divine face to us, in order to prosper us.
I bow to the Sun, who is the powerful planet, and the father of the Judgement god, Lord Shani Dev, who removes the darkness present in the sky.
I bow to the Sun, who removes the illusions from our mind, and would give goodness in our lives.
I bow to the Sun, who removes all kinds of diseases from our body, and would give a blessed life. He is the one who is shining brightly in the skies for several millions of years.
LORD CHANDRA
Oh Lord Chandra you are also known as Soma and you are the god of Monday. You look very beautiful, and you contain good qualities, and you are the controller of our mind. By worshipping you sincerely, our mind would not get diverted on unwanted things, and we would also get peace of mind.
Oh Lord Chandra you are considered as an enjoyer of comforts and luxuries similar to your close friend Lord Indra. Oh Lord Chandra you are our best companion, since we are able to see you in our naked eyes and you are the most favourite friend for small children.
Oh Lord Chandra, your consort Ma Rohini is the most popular worshipful beautiful mother goddesses, and I like her very much, and I want to see her in order to show my love and affection to my divine mother, Ma Rohini.
LORD ANGARAKA
Oh Lord Angaraka, you are also known as Mangala, and you appear in red colour. You are the warrior god, and you are the form of my beloved Lord Murugan.
Oh Lord Angaraka, you are born from the sweat of Lord Shiva, and hence you contain Lord Shiva’s power. You are also mentioned in the Rig Veda and also in some ancient texts.
Oh Lord Angaraka, you are the god of Tuesday and you are best among the Navagrahas. You contain various weapons on your hands, your one hand shows a blessing posture, and in other hand you hold the lotus flower. You must have to relieve the doshams of those who suffer from Angaraka dosham.
LORD BUDHA
Oh Lord Budha, you are the most pious among the Navagrahas, and you are mentioned in various Puranas and in Vedas, you always undergo meditation on Lord Vishnu, and hence you have acquired abnormal powers.
Oh Lord Budha, you are the son of Lord Chandra and Ma Tara. Your consort is Ila, and your son is Pururavas, who resides in the Budha Loka. You are the god of Wednesday, and according to an ancient Tamil proverb, “EVEN WE CAN GET GOLD EASILY, BUT GETTING THE AUSPICIOUS WEDNESDAY IS VERY DIFFICULT, AND HENCE WE SHOULD PROPERLY UTILIZE THAT PIOUS DAY”. You are having the powers to control our mind, and you would make us to turn on the spiritual path.
LORD BRIHASPATI
Oh Lord Brihaspati, you are one among the Navagrahas, and you are also the worshipful Guru for the Devas. You are the master of Lord Indra himself and other demi gods, and you have only taught Vedic subjects to them.
Oh Lord Brihaspati, your father was the pious Rishi Angarisa, and your consort is Ma Tara, and your children are Kacha and Bharadwaja.
Oh Lord Brihaspati, your name and fame are mentioned in the Rig Veda and several hymns are dedicated in praise of you, you are considered as the Guru who removes the darkness from our mind, and would make us into bright and pious, and with regard to your Vedic knowledge, you are considered similar to Lord Brahma.
Oh Lord Brihaspati, your abode is the Brihaspati Loka, which appears similar to the Indra Loka, your Loka appears very beautiful and attractive, and it is covered with full of gold and precious stones, and you live in your Loka along with your relatives, sages, Demigods and with your divine attendants.
Oh Lord Brihaspati, your significance can be fully known by reading the texts written by Aryabhata, and Varahamihira, and according to these texts, you are believed to be a largest planet when compared with other planets.
LORD SHUKRA
Oh Lord Shukra, you are also known as Shukracharya, and you are the god of Friday, which is also considered as an auspicious day for buying gold and other valuable articles. You are the guru for the demons, and you are one of the popular Navagrahas.
Oh Lord Shukra, you are the son of Rishi Bhrigu, your consort is Ma Jayanti, and your daughter is Devayani. Your name and fame are mentioned in various Puranas and other holy texts.
Oh Lord Shukra, your Shukra Loka contains all the beautiful aspects, and it is surrounded with full of mountains, holy trees, peculiar kinds of animals and birds. There are also palaces for you, your relatives and for your disciples.
LORD SHANI
My humble Salutations to the son of Sun god, Who easily gets very angry, at the same time would console his devotees similar to their affectionate mother, and would reduce the severity of their sufferings based on their good nature.
He is the one who keeps sincere bhakti on both Lord Vishnu and Shiva, and used to frequently meditate on them.
My humble Salutations to the son of Sun god, Who gives problems to us, if we commit sinful acts, and he is having the powers to punish even the demi gods, demons, serpent deities,
based on their acts.
My humble Salutations to the son of Sun god, Who gives comforts and luxuries to his staunch devotees, and would act like a guardian for them.
My humble Salutations to the son of Sun god, Who would prevent us from accidents, suicides and from murders.
My humble Salutations to the son of Sun god, Who gets pleased if we bath his idol using sesame oil, and if we give food to the poor during Saturdays. Salutations to the son of Sun god, who lives in the Shani Mandala, and who is worshipped by the great sages and by the demi gods.Salutations to the son of Sun god, who makes us to become victorious in our tasks, and who gives eagerness and enlightenment to us.
Salutations to the son of Sun god, who is also considered equivalent to the Trimurty with regard to his supreme powers.
Salutations to the son of Sun god, who always blesses his devotees, and would give them good family, sufficient wealth, good health, and makes them to enjoy all sorts of pleasures in their life, and also would give them salvation to them at the end of their lives.
LORD RAHU
Oh, the great Rahu, you are the powerful Demon, you are the son of Ma Simhika, and your uncle is Bhakt Prahalada, and you are the giver of troubles to Sun and Moon.
Oh, the great Rahu, you always look angry, and you are the humble Devotee of Lord Shiva, and you are the one, who becomes immortal, after consuming the divine nectar.
Oh the great Rahu, you are the one who lives in the heart of Shiva, and the one who makes the moon to lose its brightness,
and you are the one who is very bold and contains great strength.
Oh, the great Rahu, you are the one, who creates fear on the minds of the planets, and you have big teeth and big eyes, and just by thinking you once, all of our troubles would vanish immediately.
Oh, the great Rahu, you are the giver of health, wealth, food grains, and all kinds of prosperity in our life, and you are loved so much by your devotees.
LORD KETHU
I worship the great Lord Ketu, the great demon who is foremost of the shadow planets.
I worship Lord Ketu who makes us to attain moksha, sainthood, Self-realization and gives spiritual enlightenment.
I worship Lord Ketu who wears a precious crown and auspicious dress, and he is a close friend to us.
I worship the great Lord Ketu, who is part and parcel of Rahu, who resides in the wonderful Ketu Loka, who gives prosperity to his devotees. I worship the great Lord Ketu, who is a powerful Navagraha, whose vehicle is the Gigantic eagle, who holds the weapon Bhaala.
“OM”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR