The Shivling worshipped at Thirumanancheri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple at Thiruvelvikudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu changes its color five times in a day. The Shivling depicts copper color, pale red, gold, green and unknown color during various times of the day. The Shivling changes its color every six nazhigai (2 hours and 24 minutes).
From 6:00 AM to 8:24 AM Morning hours the Shivling is of copper color
From around 8:25 AM to 10:48 AM the Shivling is of pale red color.
From 10:49 AM to 1:12 PM noon the Shivling is of gold color.
From 1:13 PM to 3:36 PM the Shivling is of emerald color or green color.
From 3:37 PM to 6 PM evening the Shivling is believed to depict an unknown color. Devotees believe the Shivling shows which color the devotee has in his or her mind.
Some Facts of Thirumanancheri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple
- The temple is one among the 275 Paadal petra sthalams – temples glorified by Saivite saints.
- The Shivling worshipped in the temple is swayambhu or of divine origin.
- The material of Shivling is unknown.
- There is a second Shivling believed to have been installed by Sage Agastya.
- There are also murtis of Shiva – Parvati wedding in the main sanctum. Brahma is seen standing to the right of Shiva and Bhagavan Vishnu to the left of Shiva.
- A special offering here as Shadari and holy water as in a Vaishnava temple.
- The temple traces its origin to Chola kingdom.
- The temple is also known as Panchavarneswarar (the god who depicts five colors).
- Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as Kokilambal or Parvatha Sundari.
- It is believed that the marriage of Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place here also as Sage Agastya an ardent devotee was worshipping Shiva here when the original wedding was taking place in Mount Kailash. The wedding took here also as Sage Agastya could witness it.
- Ganesha is worshipped here as Selva Ganapathy. There is also a Murugan shrine here.
- Sri Mangala Rahu Bhagavan and Goddess Ambal have special place of worship here.
- There is a second murti of Ganesha in the temple and he is known as Kodimara Vinayagar. A 8-handed murti of Goddess Kali is worshipped in the outer sanctum.
- Special pujas are held here for early marriage and to solve problems associated with delayed marriage.
- The temple tree is Vilvam or Bilva.
- The sacred pond or theertham here is known as Sapta Sagara Theertham. It is believed that seven seas merge in the theertham once a year. It is believed that Kunti, mother of Pandavas, took holy dip in the pond and had sin redemption.
- Legend has it that Bhagavan Vishnu and Brahma offered prayers here.
Thirumanancheri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple Timings:
06:00 AM to 01:30 PM
03:30 PM to 08:30 PM