Manur Ambalavana Swami Temple

Counting the stars in the sky may prove elusive, but attempting to enumerate the exquisite temples adorning the banks of Tirunelveli's radiant Tamraparani river presents an equally daunting task. Among these treasures lies the picturesque village of Manur, home to the grand Ambalavana Swami temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where tales of divinity intertwine with local lore.

Legend

Legend has it that within this village resided a sage known as Ambalavanar, blessed with divine visions of Lord Shiva in His Nataraja form. In reverence to this encounter, the temple's principal deity bears the sage's name, Ambalavana Swami.

Another narrative recounts the arrival of Karuvur Siddha, a sage endowed with the power to summon Lord Shiva with a mere invocation of His name. In a moment of vexation, Siddha cast a curse upon the Tirunelveli temple, rendering it barren. However, Shiva, in the form of a radiant light, appeared to Siddha in Manur, leading to the temple's restoration and the presence of the revered Nellaiyappar Linga alongside his consort, Kantimati.

Similarly, during the reign of Sri Vallabha Pandya, a milkman incurred the king's wrath for his perceived negligence. Mystified by the milkman's cows pouring milk at a specific location, the king's punishment led to a divine revelation, prompting the construction of the temple upon unearthing a sacred Linga. Miraculously, the king's lost faculties were restored upon completing the temple's construction.

In another tale, the Daruka vana sages sought the divine spectacle of Shiva's cosmic dance, leading them to the adorned halls of Manur. As per Vishnu's orders, Viswakarma embellished the sacred space as Shiva graced the sages with his mesmerizing Ascharya Tandava, immortalizing the Ascharya Sabha as one of the six celestial halls within the Nellaiyappar temple complex.

Continuing the saga of divine interventions, the rituals at the Nellaiyappar temple unveil yet another mystical tale steeped in devotion and providence.

Each morning, as part of the temple's sacred customs, the previous day's floral adornments, known as Nirmalya, are ceremoniously removed from the deity and cast into the flowing waters of the Tamraparani river. Drifting downstream, these offerings find their way to the Marudur dam, where a tortoise and a swan reside, regarding the discarded flowers as sacred gifts from Nellaiyappar himself.

However, when the curse of Karuvur Siddha befell the temple, stripping it of all vegetation save for the hardy Erukku (Calotropis), the swan and tortoise sensed impending peril. In a remarkable display of loyalty and devotion, the swan carried the tortoise upon its back, embarking on a pilgrimage to Tirunelveli. There, they came to know that Shiva traveled to Manur to give darshan to Karuvur Siddha.

Upon arriving in Manur, where Shiva had revealed himself to Karuvur Siddha in a radiant form, the devoted duo bore witness to the divine light once more. In this sacred setting, amidst the aura of celestial grace, the swan and tortoise found eternal liberation, their souls ascending to realms beyond earthly bounds.

In the tapestry of legends woven around the Ambalavana Swami temple, this tale stands as a testament to the unwavering devotion of all creatures, big and small, drawn to the divine presence that graces the tranquil village of Manur.

History

Originally, the Ambalavana Swami temple stood as a humble mandapa, featuring perhaps only the Ascharya Sabha adorned with a mural painting of Lord Nataraja. It was an integral part of the illustrious Nellaiyappar temple, yet positioned outside its complex. Over time, the temple underwent expansions and additions, evolving into the magnificent structure it is today.

Within its sacred precincts, two inscriptions from the reigns of Pandya kings offer glimpses into its storied past. One, inscribed in Vattalezhuthu characters, hails from the era of Parantaka Varaguna Varma Pandya I, while the other bears the mark of Konerimai Kondan. These rulers, entrenched in the annals of Tamil history, symbolize a dynasty's endurance and the enduring legacy of their reigns.

Parantaka Varaguna Varma Pandya I, a name echoed in inscriptions across Gangaikondan, Kalugumalai, Ambasamudram, and Tirukkurungudi, left an indelible mark on the region's cultural landscape. Meanwhile, Konerimai Kondan, potentially identified with the Kulasékhara Dharmaperumal, represents a lineage that persisted amidst the transition to Nayakka rule, their authority veiled in nominal sovereignty.

The 9th century inscription is a testament to Tamil Nadu's democratic heritage. This ancient relic reveals the presence of an elected judiciary, its governance guided by stringent protocols ensuring the integrity and competence of its judges. Serving as custodians of justice, these officials upheld the sanctity of the law, relying solely on written evidence to adjudicate matters. Dating back to the 9th century CE Pandya era, this inscription sheds light on the active role played by village assemblies in administering justice across ancient Tamilagam. A detailed article about this inscription is found here. 

Based on these inscriptions, the temple can be considered as 9th century Pandya-era temple and was under the control of Pandyas for about 700 years. 

Temple Layout and Deities

Unlike many temples adorned with towering Gopurams, the Ambalavana Swami temple presents a modest yet serene layout. It boasts two entrances, positioned to the east and south. While the eastern gateway, serving as the primary entrance, remains closed for most of the year, it opens its doors ceremoniously during festival seasons. In contrast, the southern entrance welcomes devotees regularly, facilitating their spiritual journey into the sacred precincts.

Nestled before the eastern entrance lies a vast holy tank, a tranquil reservoir symbolizing purity and renewal.

Within the sanctum facing east, the divine presence of Nellaiyappar manifests in the form of a Shiva Linga, radiating an aura of timeless grace. Adjoining the Linga, to its true right, stands Kantimati, her graceful form depicted holding a flower in her right hand, with the left arm hanging down, gracefully standing in Tribhanga posture. Facing these revered deities are their respective Nandi vahanas, embodying unwavering devotion and guardianship.

Not far from the sanctum, the hallowed presence of Ambalavana Swami, personified as Nataraja, is revered through a bronze icon, accompanied by Sivakami and Manickavasagar. These smaller-sized bronze icons emanate a divine presence, adorned with intricate details. Adorning the wall behind them, vibrant mural paintings depict the divine trio, enriching the ambiance with celestial splendor.

This southern facing shrine of Ambalavana Swami is considered as the sacred Ascharya Sabha. A spacious mandapa preceding it features four slabs adorned with thirty wooden sculptures, narrating tales of revered deities and Puranic legends, captivating the hearts of devotees with their exquisite craftsmanship. 

(I have covered all the wooden sculptures in detail in four different articles. Links for the same:

The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 1

The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 2

The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 3

The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 4)

Scattered across the temple precincts, small sub-shrines host revered deities such as Kanni Moola Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, offering devotees avenues for varied forms of worship and spiritual communion.

Other deities such as Surya, Chandra, Chandikeshwara, Bhairava, and Shaneesvara, are also found in the prakara.

An intriguing addition to the temple's landscape is a separate mandapa housing relief images of the tortoise and swan, immortalized in legend, serving as testaments to divine providence and unwavering devotion.

Adding to the temple's mystique, a pillar of unknown origin stands resolute before the southern entrance, known locally as "Tiruvadi Pottri," believed to have been sourced from Mecca. This enigmatic relic, steeped in legend and lore, lends an air of sacred reverence to the temple's ambiance, inviting devotees on a journey of spiritual discovery and transcendence. (I have written in detail about Tiruvadi Pottri in a separate article.)

Happy travelling.