Mangalee Devi, the wife of Sri Mangalya Maharishi, never left the Uttara Phalguni mandala. She chose to remain in the mandala as it provided her with the capacity know to everything. Mangalee Devi always worshiped her husband as her Lord. Many families practice an ancient form of worship for the enhancement of an auspicious marriage. Women who have been blessed with a long married life are invited into a family’s home and offered food. The family offers turmeric, saffron, sarees, blouses, bangles, betel leaves, nuts, a silver toe ring and flowers. Mangalee Devi appears to grant blessings of a favorable marriage during this ceremony.
The divine energies of Lord Shiva at Idaiyatru Mangalam are sacred for Uttara Phalguni nakshatra and bestow auspicious blessings for marital life. It is beneficial for those born under Uttara Phalguni to make offerings at this temple. In addition to marriage, those who have leg or foot ailments or discomforts should make offerings to Lord Shiva at this sacred energy vortex to relieve their pain.
Mangalyeswarar Temple, Edayathumangalam
Mangalyeswarar Temple is an ancient hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Edayathumangalam near Lalgudi in Trichy district. The presiding deity is Magalyeswarar and Goddess Mangalambikai. The temple has separate shrines for Vinayakar, Mangalya Maharishi, Dakshinamurthy, Bitchandar, Ardhanareeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Durgai, Nandi, Navagrahas and Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivayanai. This temple is especially for those whose birth star is Uthiram.
As per Legend, Sage Mangalya who was the patron in the marriages of sages, Agasthiar, Vishishtar and Bhairavar, was an Uthiram starrer. He is the authority of Akshadha (a mix of turmeric in rice to bless the newly married couple) angels flying in the air with garlands as seen in some marriage invitation cards.
It is believed that seeking Sage Mangalya's blessings will strongly benefit those yearning to get married. This is why the divine marriage festival of God and Goddess are held on an Uthiram star day in the month of Panguni which is commonly known as Panguni Uthiram.
The beneficiaries of this temple also include women praying for husband’s longevity, deserted elderly people yearning to reunite with their family, people with problems in their feet.
This place was once in the middle of two rivers / an island ie Kaveri and Kollidam. Hence this place was called as Edayathumangalam.The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. The stucco images of Lord Shiva, Mangalya maharishi worshiping Lord Shiva, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top.
Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of artha mandapam from Mukha mandapam. Mangalya maharishi is in the Mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and a Big Rishabam are in the Mukha mandapam. In Koshtam Pichadanar, Arthanareeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Sankara Narayanan, Brahma and Durga.
In prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bhairavar and Natarajar Sabha. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the artha mandapam facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as Idaiyatru Nadu, Idaiyatru mangalam. The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Thellareintha Thandhivarman and Varaguna Pandian-II. Most of the inscriptions were lost during renovations and painting. The inscriptions records the endowment of Pooja, Naivedyam, maintenance etc. For the same many gifts which includes Gold, Lands etc, were gifted to this temple.
Rajaraja Brahmarayar purchased lands from the Villagers and gifted to this temple as irayili. The inscription also records the periphery limits of the land purchased.
Natarajar sannidhi was constructed during 2010, by Ayyasami Sasthiri. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08th March 1990 and 1st June 2006.
Since Mangalya Maharishi was born of Uthiram Nakshatra day, so the people born on the Nakshatra day visits this temple and offers prayers to Mangalya Maharishi and Lord Shiva Mangalyeswarar.