Thirumangalam

It is a village near Lalgudi, Tiruchi (Lalgudi town bus stand is 15 kms from Tiruchi chathiram bus stand). This village named by the temple is situated four kms from the Tiruchi – Lalgudi main road (a state high way which is recently renovated). From Tiruchi, Travel to Lalgudi via Samayapuram Tollgate. Travel some 9-10 kms on the same road, just before the place called “sandhaipettai”, take a left turn. Proceed on the tar road for about 4 kms. You fill find the temple. Last dharshan in the temple is by 7.30pm. There is limited bus service from chathiram bus stand but not sure of timings. Better go by car.

Main deity: Lord Shiva and Ambal. Lord shiva is called as Samavedeeswarar and Ambal is Lokanayaki. It is the place where sama vedam is interpreted by the sage seimuni. So the lord is called by that name. Also the other deities in this temple were Vinayagar, Subramanyar, Gajalakshmi and Durgai. The temple and the place attained this name because Gajalakshmi had prayed to Lord shiva in this place. Also the place is called Parasurameshwaram as Parasurama had prayed to lord shiva to get rid of the sins he had commited by killing his mother as per his father’s order. Also special prayer’s have been offered to Goddess Durga here in pournami. This is a “padal petra sthalam”. Sthala vriksham is “Palaa maram”

Though it is 4kms from the main road, it appears like you are in some very far away village. It is that much calm. The temple is surrounded by lot of trees and atmosphere is so calm. Near by the temple, a branch of cauvery is flowing and you can see that while approaching the temple. There is a “Moongil thoppu” near the temple. It is very good. The temple size is as big as mylapore kabalishwarar kovil. People are saying that the existence of this temple traces back to chola period.

The approach road to the village leads to Trichy – Chennai NH 45 main road.  The road is very good though it is smaller in width. The signs of the board say “Trichinopoly – 19kms”. I guess the road would have been laid during british government period and after that in these 60 years of rule, none of the indian government had bothered to think about this village. If for a village which is closer to a prominent city and just 4kms from the road itself is this the case means, i cant think about remote villages. The preist in the temple says the temple is in huge short of fund though the temple is having lot of assets (grounds, paddy fields etc) and the village econmony is mingled with this temple. Blame on the Endownment board of Tamil nadu for not taking care of this temple and this village. This proves that those who sat and sitting in the endownment board are clearly looting the money.

A piece of information can be found about this temple here

Tail tip: If you proceed further on the Trichy – Lalgudi road after Lalgudi, you will see Pullampadi, Dalmiapuram, Thirukattupalli and it goes up to Ariyalur. While going from Tiruchi, if you take right at Thirukattupalli or Pullampadi, you can reach Thiruvaiyaru and then Thanjavur. From Lalgudi this is the shortest route to reach Thanjavur rather than taking the usual route of NH 67 (Tiruchi – Thanjavur road). While going via Pullampadi route, you can find Thirumazhapadi where Sri Nandikeshwarar got married with the blessings of Lord Shiva. We have chosen this route via Pullampadi, Thirumazhapadi to reach Thirumanur as there is some road work is going on Thirukattupalli route which is shorter. .Cauvery will be very big as it is in Mukkumbu (Upper Anaicut), Tiruchi. On a rainy day, this place should be very much beautiful.