Saturday, February 8, 2014

Mettu Mahadhanapuram Mahalakshmi Temple

Thousands gather at  Mahalakshmi Temple, Mettu Mahadhanapuram, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District, Tamil Nadu, India each year on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi to have coconuts smashed on their heads in a plea to the gods for health and success.

Principal Deity:    Arulmigu Mahalakshmi
Theertham:           Cauvery
Agamam:             Vaishnava
Age of the
Shrine:                 More than 1000 years old
Raised by:            Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara
Timing:                The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festival:               Adiperukku during July-August is the famous festival of the temple.
Place:                   Mettu Mahadhanapuram Village, Mahadanapuram-639 106
Taluk:                   Krishnarayapuram Taluk
District:                Karur
State:                    Tamil Nadu

Temple: Flicker Raju's Temple Visits

Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Temple, Mettu Mahadhanapuram, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District was built by Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) on the banks of river Cauvery. The presiding deity Arulmigu Mahalakshmi of this shrine is being worshiped as the family deity by Kannada speaking Kurumba community people, (shepherds by occupation) and certain sections (Mummudiyar Gotra) of the 24 Manai Telugu Chettiars. However the shrine is attracting all Hindus belonging to all communities.

 Temple: Flicker Raju's Temple Visits
 
Goddess Mahalakshmi is truly a goddess of wealth and protection In this temple there is a beautiful statue of Goddess Mahalakhmimi. She looks so beautiful and divine. We can really feel her caring eyes on us when we stand in front of her. The Sanctum sanctorum of Amman temple  is east facing and the temple has three prakaram or corridors and you will find many more shrines devoted parivara devtas. to Usually, a temple will have a Linga in the sanctum and Parivara Devatas in the temple around.

  Temple: Flicker Raju's Temple Visits

History

Once, a King by name Sivaperuman ruled over a small and happy kingdom called Perumizhalai region. Saivite Saint Kurumba Nayanar (one of the 63 Nayanars) was serving the King. Kurumba Nayanar has adopted Saivite Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar as his Guru and was commanding respect from the public for his devotion to Lord Shiva. The name Kurumba Nayanar has strong association to his shepherd community and was born on Chithirai star day in the Tamil month of Aadi (July August). He used to take sufficient food and other essentials packed in a woolen cloth and dispatch it from the border of the place.

The Kurumbas or shepherds were grazing sheep. The woolen fabric was made from the hairs of the sheep. Nayanar was simple in nature and was noted for austerity by all. He held Lord Shiva in his heart and led a life dedicated to the Lord. As he was ever chanting the hymns of Sundarar, the Tiruthonda Pathikam in particular – the 10 verses in praise of all the Nayanmars at the Tiruvarur Temple, Kurumbanayanar attained the great powers mentioned in our scriptures as Ashtamasiddhis. He was also ever chanting the Five Lettered Mantra called Panchakshara – Na Ma Si Va Ya.

When Kurumba Nayanar came to know that Lord Shiva decided to recall Sundaramurthy Nayanar, his Guru to Kailash, Kurumba Nayanar decided to reach Kailash before his Guru with the help of Yogas as he could not live on earth in the absence of the Guru. This episode is described in the great Tamil Epic Periapuranam.

Sri Aadi Mahalakshmi was the family deity of Kurumba Nayanar. Sri Mahalashmi came into being when the milk ocean was churned by the Devas and the Demons. Lord Vishnu was distributing the Nectar to the Devas and the poison (both came from the milk ocean) to the demons. As demon Andhakasura was slipping away from the place to avoid the poison, he saw Mahalakshmi and was tempted to get Her. When Mahalakshmi ran away from him, he chased her up to Mettur Mahadanapuram where the Kurumbas were grazing their cattle. Mother Mahalakshmi hid Herself in a hole. Incidentally, Ravana was performing penance there. On seeing Mahalakshmi, Ravana was afraid that She had come there to kill him and immediately left for Lanka. Andhakasura chose the Ravana’s place for hiding.

Mahalakshmi was consuming the milk of the sheep which the Kurumbas noticed with surprise. They dig a wet place and found Mahalakshmi as a Swayambu (self manifested) . She begged the people to protect Her from the Demon to test their devotion which people also understood. They covered the Goddess in the woolen cloth. But the demon fought with them and also caught Lakshmi. People prayed to Lord Shiva but He did not listen to their prayers and did not turn up. As the three-eyed Shiva did not turn up, the devotees chose the coconut also having three eyes as Shiva and began to break it on their heads. Pleased with their determined devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and protected Mahalakshmi.

Stone Shaped Coconuts

Sometime back The villagers of the temple wanted to construct the compound wall around the temple. The marked place was cleaned and upon digging they found 187 numbers of coconut shaped stones. This event surprised the devotees and the stone coconuts are preserved and displayed in the glass case for devotees to witness.

Story of Trichy - Karur Railway Line Laying

When the British were trying to draw a railway line between Trichy and Karur. The railway line was planned  across the temple by the Britishers. This was against the wishes of the villagers of Mahadhanapuram.  Incidentally the Britishers happened to see the coconut shaped stones obtained beneath the earth. The Britishers wanted to test the devotion of the villagers and they came out with a proposal. The course of the railway will be changed if the villagers agree for one condition. They should demonstrate that  if they could break these stones with their heads, they would change the course of the railway line. The villagers broke the stones and the same was broken into two halves. As a result the line was shifted towards northern side and now running 1.5f km away from the temple.

Prayer and Offerings

Devotees pray to Mother Mahalakshmi for removal of obstacles in marriage alliances and for child boon and achievements in education. The annual Aadi festival of Sri Mahalakshmiamman Temple at Mettu mahadanapuram is being celebrated on ‘Aadipperukku Day’ i.e, 18th day of the Aadi month and on the 19th day of Aadi month the a traditional annual ritual of chief priest breaking coconuts on heads of devotees as part of their fulfillment of vow will takes place. This will be the main part of the second day function of ‘Aadipperukku’. Thousands of people from many parts of Tamil nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andra Pradesh will participate in this annual ritual. . The devotees will gather in front of the temple and a priest will smash a coconut each on every registered devotee’s head. As the coconuts broke into pieces, some devotees may rub their heads and some others may collect the broken pieces of coconuts as a holy offering. Occasionally bleeding was noticed over the heads of few devotees and they just apply the holy ash as remedy.

India TV: Coconut Breaking on devotees head
It is strongly believed that Goddess of Earth Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth governs prosperity, happiness, beauty and love will bestows Her grace and love on her worshipers.

Goddess Mahalakshmi Gayatri

Om MahaDevyaicha Vidhmahe
Vishnu Patnyaicha Dheemahi
Thanno Lakshmi Prachotayaath

(This Mantra may be chanted during your prayers)

Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmeem HreemSaha Swaha

Lord Kubera Mantra

Om Hreem Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhana Akarshanaya Sarvaloka Vasigaraya Dhana Dhanya Adhipataya Dhana Dhanya Samrudhime Dehi Tapaya Swaha

Goddess Mahalakshmi Mantra

Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Lakshmir Agach Agacha Mama Mandir Tishtha Tishtha Swaha
Youtube Video by India TV

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