Nallur Temple - Born out of trials and tribulations

by Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR

Nallur was the celebrated capital city of Ancient Jaffna. The chronicle of Jaffna history the "Yalpana Mala" describes in detail how the city of Nallur was founded. It mentions how Singai Ariyan arrived at the request of Pandi Maluvan accompanied by priests and advisers and assumed the kingship of Jaffna. He built a city for his residence and named it Nallur. Thus was founded the celebrated city of Nallur by Singai Ariyan, also referred to as Kulankai, who commenced his reign as the first Ariya Chakravarty the King of Jaffna. The Singai Ariya dynasty continued to rule as Ariya Chakravarty kings of Jaffna, assuming alternately the state titles of Pararajasekaram and Sagarajasekaram.

The Jaffna Chronicle also records that during the reign of Singai Ariyan, Minister Bhuvaneka Bahu completed the erection of the outside walls of the city and the Kandaswamy Kovil. That a Kandaswamy temple got erected within the city of Nallur, during the reign of Singai Ariyan thus explicitly recorded and the credit for this Thiruppany goes to the king's Minister Bhuvenaka Bahu. The time would have been soon after the year 1284 AC.

Furthermore, the Portuguese who invaded Jaffna with their forces demolished this Temple to the ground in the year 1621. Subsequently the Dutch who found a Catholic Church there, demolished it and erected a Church of their faith which is the Nallur Church in close proximity to the Yamuneri Theertham.

After the rule of the Dutch in the year BC 1658, this Temple came under the management to the Hindus. In 1734, this temple was rebuilt. The present Nallur Kandaswamy Temple was originated in the year 1749 by Ragunatha Mappana Mudaliyar.

The origin of Murukan and the story of his veneration are of very ancient interest. The story is fundamental in the history of development of Tamil culture. He becomes identified as Kumaran. Even the pre-Aryan pre-historic eras are known to have revered a rudimentary form of Murugan, a youth of valorous deeds who was victorious in war. The Devas, when they proceeded to Mount Kailas to complain to Lord Shiva of their persecution by the Asuras, found him in deep meditation. On being awakened, a divine spark emanated from his frontal third eye. This was received in Lake 'Saravanai Poika.' There it was nurtured by six 'Karthikai' young girls and they became six infants and were embraced by Divine mother Goddess Parvathy.

Indira the King of the Devas and Indrani his queen rewarded Murukan by giving him their daughter Deiva Yanai or Deivanai in marriage. The grand nuptial celebrations are claimed to have taken place at 'Thiru perum kunram' situated in Madurai. Muruka's second consort is Valli, the Veddah maid from the Vallimalai hills.

Furthermore, the Vel in his hand denotes knowledge. According to this a man's knowledge should be sharp, it should not only be sharp, but it should be widened and be deep.

To a society lost in error and beset by illusions of time and weighed down by perplexities, trials and tribulations, conflicts and contradiction, the Divine power of God Muruga will protect us from all evil tendencies and make us to lead a peaceful and harmonious life.