Vigyan Bhairav Tantra:
There are n number of ways to attain “Enlightenment” by using your breathing, bodily senses, sensual acts, attention of the mind. Though, a single method is enough to attain “Enlightenment” for an individual - different methods are described by Shiva to Parvati for different people- this ancient text describes 112 methods to attain enlightenment.
History:
Uthira Kosa Mangai is a tiny hamlet near Ramanathapuram town in Ramanathapuram District in Tamil Nadu.
It is considered to be one of the very ancient Siva temple which Tamil literature describes as
"Mann Mundhiyo Mangai Mundhiyo?"
meaning
"Did the mud (mann) come first or is the Mangai (The Female Deity of the Temple)?".
This is the place where Siva transferred the secrets of Vigyan Bhairav Tantra to Parvati. Uthiram means (upadesam) kosam (secrets) Parvati (Mangai) hence this place is known as Uthira Kosa Mangai.
Though the temple is very ancient, the current temple is believed to be built by the Pandya kings. Achutappa Naicker (1529–1542 A.D.), a Thanjavur Naicker ruler, Muthuveerappar and other kings of Ramanthapuram Sethupathis of Rameswaram, have contributed to the temple. The last renovation was carried out by the queen of Ramnathapuram. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Legend of Vigyan Bhairava Tantra:
View of the temple towers of Uthira Kosa Mangai
As per temple legend, once hundreds of rishis (ascetics) performed penance worshipping Shiva. Shiva told the rishis that he would appear in the form of a fireball to acknowledge the penance of Mandothari, the wife of king Ravana in Sri Lanka. Shiva appeared in the form a small child in Ravana's palace. Ravana lifted the beautiful child and there was a small wound out of it. Simultaneously, there was a fireball out of the Agni Theertham (temple tank), which the rishis felt were on account of Shiva attacking Ravana. Out of thousand, 999 killed themselves by falling in the fire, while one of them remained to save an ancient book of teachings of Siva to Parvati . Shiva was pleased by the rishi and appeared as Sahasralingam (thousand lingams) for the 999 and one more for himself in the temple. The single rishi was believed to have emerged later as Manickavasgar in his later birth.
The temple has been glorified by the hymns of 9th-century saint Manicka vasagar and 15th-century saint Arunagirinathar (who designed Murugan Worship rituals and a fore runner of carnatic music). Recently, the book was brought to the limelight by Rajnish, called Osho and Nithyananda of Thiruvannamalai- both studied the ancient text written in palm leaves. Rajnish considered this teachings as one of the biggest secret to the mankind and discoursed. Nithyananda has written a sequel based on it.
About Temple:
The temple is considered sacred along the lines of Ramanathapuram, Sethu Madhava Theertham and Lakshmana Theertham. The temple is a prominent tourist destination of Ramanathapuram district.
The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mangalanathar, Mangalambigai and Natarajar being the most prominent. The temple houses a 6 ft (1.8 m) tall ancient maragatha Nataraja idol carved out of emerald, being the one of its kind.
The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and six yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
