The glories of Nallur
Murugan
by Kumarasamy SOMASUNDARAM
Nallur is a holy place of historic,
religious and cultural significance for the Saivite Hindus of Sri Lanka.
It is here that the very revered and renowned Nallur Kanthasamy temple
is situated with its grandeur. The temple has a long history of more
than a thousand years. The Saivite Hindus consider certain sites in Sri
Lanka as sacred and they are held in high esteem and special veneration.
Nallur Kanthasamy Kovil is one among them. Every Saivite Hindu feels
that it is obligatory to visit this temple and worship Lord Kanthasamy
at least once during the annual Festival days. The Tamil word 'murugu',
means Beauty. Murugan is one who possesses Beauty. Beauty is perfection.
Where there exist beauty and perfection, there is Divinity. Lord Murugan
is the other name of Lord Kanthasamy. He is the embodiment of Beauty,
Perfection, Truth, Love and Divinity. He has come to maintain law and
order; peace and harmony in the world.
"Why
fear, when I am here at Nallur" this divine utterance of Lord Murugan is
ever ringing in the ears of Murugan devotees, wherever they live. It is
the firm belief of Nallur Murugans devotees that Lord Murugan is there
to come to their rescue in times of adversity and give them necessary
strength of mind and physique to face the challenges of life. Lord
Murugan is always there on call of the devotees to guide them and shower
His Grace for their well-being. These beliefs, combined with faith in
God and fear of God for doing evils acts, are not superstitious and not
proved futile. Religion is belief and experience. Those who have trust
and faith in god and lead their lives in the righteous path achieve
success, prosperity, good health, happiness, peace and harmony.
Experience proves that God-fearing people with spiritual strength always
are successful in life. Those who taste the sweet pills of successful
life rush to Nallur Murugan and pay their homage and express their
gratitude to Lord Murugan. It is an act of veneration and thanks-giving
to the bestower of boons, bliss, success and accomplishments.
The symbolism of Lord Murugan points to the ways and means of
reaching perfection in life. The devotees attend the temple of Lord
Murugan to commune with him at least once a week, preferably on Fridays
and additionally on Lord Murugan's auspicious days of the month and
annual festival days. It is at the temple the devotees nurture their
relationship with the God and also with the fellowship. Besides daily
round of poojas, held six times a day, the annual festival is conducted
for twenty five days continually at Nallur Murugan temple, commencing
with the ceremony of flag-hoisting and culminating with the
water-cutting ceremony (Theertham) on the twenty fifth day.
Mancham, Karthigai, Kailasa vahanam, Sapparam, Ther, Theertham and
Thirukkalyanam events are considered as high festivals. Nallur Murugan
temple is very conspicuous and outstanding especially for the fact that
all the poojas, rites, rituals, ceremonies connected with the festivals
are conducted to perfect time and in clean atmosphere. Purity, sanctity,
punctualiy, adds colour, grace and splendour to Nallur temple.
Time-consciousness is really God-consciousness.
The management is very much concerned about proper time management.
The annual festival, the most significant event at Nallur temple,
usually draw a massive crowd of devotees, irrespective of ethnicity,
creed or religion from all over Sri Lanka and even from the Tamil
Diaspora.
Temples are constructed and poojas, festivals and ceremonies are
conducted for the material and spiritual well-beings of all the
communities and the world at large.
The spiritual culture guides people to lead a moral, ethical and
righteous life with positive thoughts, words and deeds. Attainment of
gods consciousness and nature, being the goal of life, could be
interpreted as attainment of divine qualities and values such as truth,
righteousness, peace, beauty, non-violence, justice and love. Festivals
are occasions to learn, refresh and practise these human and divine
qualities, with piety and devotion in daily life.
Festivals are powerful inducements and inspirations to keep oneself
engaged in good wishes and pure feelings, exchanging with others. Caring
and sharing get materialised. During festival days, Annathanam -
offering cooked food to anyone who feels hunger" is a special feature in
the Inns and houses of the area, around the temple. Serving annathanam
(meal served free of charge with devotion) to pilgrims is an age-old
tradition and a culture, being kept alive even now.
special pandals are erected for the devotees to quench their thirst
and take rest, religious discourses, singing of bhajans and devotional
hymns, cultural programmes are conducted, in the pandals. Devotees
observe fasts and do penance during festivals. As such, they keep
themselves away from sensual pleasure; stop wandering of the mind and
negative tendencies. Fasts control passion: checks emotions and overhaul
the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary systems.
Festival-related events such as kavadi processions,milk-pot and
camphor lights parades, accompanied with Nathaswaram and Thavil (drum)
recitals; bhajan singing and musical recitals attract the attention of
the spectators. These festive processions and other religious practices
are being conducted, invoking Murugans grace and protection and also
dispelling their sins, pride and vanity. The festivals provide
opportunities for family reunion and community togetherness. They visit
their relations and friends and strengthen their relationship. Marriages
are proposed and weddings conducted during this season on auspicious
days. So many family problems are settled. Nallur Kandasamy festivals
provide opportunities for religious, social, spiritual aesthelic and
cultural developments and preservation.
It is from Nallur, Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar, the Champion Reformer
of the Saivite Hindus, launched the Saivism Revival movement, during the
19th century. Kadaiyit Swamigal, Chellappa Swamigal and Yogar Swamigal
attained enlightenment at the Nallur Murugan temple precincts, closer to
the chariot (ther) enclosure. These great Siththar Saints spread
Spiritual Wisdom and Guidance among the people.The Glory and Grace of
Nallur Murugan can hardly over-emphasised.
Pic: Velmurugan
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