Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil
Ukanthai Murugan Kovil | |
---|---|
உகந்தமலை ஸ்ரீ முருகன் ஆலயம் | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Ampara |
Location | |
State | Eastern |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Geographic coordinates | 6°39′0″N 81°46′0″E / 6.65000°N 81.76667°E |
Ukanthamalai Murugan Kovil (also known as Ukanthai Murugan Kovil, Okanda Devalaya) (
Folklore
Since Lord Murugan is always linked with mountains, Some Tamil folklore tell that ukanthamalai got its name as it is the most "ukantha" (உகந்த, litt. "congenial") place of Lord Murugan.[1] According to another folklore this place is believed to be the location where Skanda Kumara landed on the shore of Okanda with Valli Amma in a golden boat. The boat is said to be turned into a rock known as the "Ran Oru Gala" which still visible on the Okanda beach.[2]
History
So many folklores bring the antiquity of Ukanthai Temple to
There was a small hut made with loose stones for the "Vel" at the top of the hill from very long time.[
A pilgrims' rest was also built by Markkandu Mudaliyar which was burnt many years ago.
Temple structure
The main shrine of Lord Murugan is situated in the bottom of the Ukanthai with a majestic sanctum pagoda surrounded by small chapels dedicated to Pillaiyar, Naga Tambiran, Navagraham and Vairavar. The golden spear of Lord Murugan standing in the sanctum cannot be ever seen as the sanctum is always covered with a screen.[citation needed]
Ukanthai is divided into two hillocks called as Swamimalai and Vallimalai since they have two shrines for Velswami and Valli Amman at top of them respectively. Naturally formed seven excavations are in these two hillocks and the "Saravana poigai" - the natural spring in front of Valli Amman Kovil is esteemed by the devotees and they believe that this spring was formed by the "Vel" of Lord Murugan. In the bottom of the Swamimalai, there is another chapel for Pillaiyar.[citation needed]
Okanda Beach is about 100 m southwards of the main shrine of Murugan and there was a boat - like rock is situated in the shore which i.s already mentioned above. Another hillock near the beach called as "Kallu vacha Malai" (கல்லு வச்ச மலை - litt. "Stone placing mountain") is another place of worship where devotees place a "kallu" - stone with prayers for fulfilling their wishes. the naturally formed foot - like excavations are believed to belongs to Murugan and Valli.[citation needed]
Annual Festival
Annual Festival of Ukanthai is simultaneously occurring with Katirkamam festival falling on mid July - August Full moon day. "
See also
- Panama
- Okanda
- Katirkamam
References
- ^ V.C.Kandiah (1983) "Mattakkalappu Saivak Kovilkal I" (Tamil) p.31
- ^ "Okanda Devalaya". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 2 August 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Ukanta Malai Velayudha Swami Temple, Okanda".
- ^ James Cardinar, (1807) "A Description of Ceylon" pp. 121,122,139
- ^ V.C.Kandiah, ibid, p.32
- ^ "The Sylvan Shrine at Ukantamalai Rock Devoted To Lord Murugan". Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2015.