Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple – The Temple

Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple – The Temple

This is an east facing Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Rakshaseshwar / Nayinar and Mother is called as Nagapooshani or Bhuvaneswari. The temple complex houses four gopurams (gateway towers) ranging from 20 – 108 feet in height, to the tallest being the eastern Raja Gopuram soaring at 108 feet high. There is an estimated 10,000 sculptures in this newly renovated temple.

Gopurams:

Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple has four decorative and colourful gopurams.

Raja Gopuram:

The Raja Gopuram is the largest of the three gopurams that adorn this temple. The largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, it soars to the height of 108 feet. It has over 2000 beautiful stucco images on all four sides. It has 9 tiers with 9 golden Kalasams on its top. The construction started in 2010 and got completed in 2012 with help of artists from Tamil Nadu, India. The consecration ceremony was held in late January 2012. This event was attended by 200,000 devotees from various cities and towns as far as India, Europe, Australia, and North America.

East Gopuram:

East Gopuram is the oldest of the three gopurams on the modern-day structure. As the name implies it faces east. It rises to the height of 54 feet from the base. This gopuram originally had few stucco images but during the renovation, large number of stucco images have been added to match the Rajagopuram. Sanctum is facing this Gopuram.

South Gopuram:

The South Gopuram as a fairly new structure built in the early 1970s. As the name implies it faces South. It rises to the height of 54 feet from the base. Shrine housing the Utsava Idols face this Gopuram. On the right side of the South Gopuram entrance is a large life saver-shaped stone - an ancient anchor. Arab ships used to carry such anchors.

South East Gopuram:

The South East Gopuram is a new addition to the temple. Although this gopuram is in the South-East corner of the temple complex, it faces South. Built in December 2011, its primary purpose is to welcome those coming from within the island to worship the Goddess, and visitors from the nearby Naga Vihara (Buddhist Temple). It reaches the height of about 20–25 feet. It is the smallest gopuram and has the fewest number of sculptures.

Ambala Veedhi:

Ambala Veedhi is the street, situated outside of the temple structure and forms the outer pradakshina (path) around the temple.

Nandi:

Nandi can be found facing the sanctum immediately after the Eastern Gopuram. This statue is approximately 8 feet high. It is undoubtedly the only large sized Nandi of its kind in Sri Lanka.

Dwajastambam:

There is a brass plated Dhwaja Sthambam, can be found near Nandi, facing the sanctum.

Sanctum Sanctorum:

The Sanctum Sanctorum follows traditional Dravidian Hindu architecture. The inner wall of the temple together with the outer wall of the central shrine create a pradakshina (path) around the garbhagriha. The entrance is extensively decorated with paintings, sculptures and oil lamps. There is 10 feet high vimana (tower) over the sanctum. The garbhagriha has two entrances; the main entrance facing East, from which the presiding deities can be viewed and one facing South, from which the Utsava Murtis (festival deities) can be viewed. A unique feature of this temple is that Nayinar Swami and Nagapooshani Amman are installed together as if they are one; granting darshanam to devotees as Shiva-Shakti.

Mandapams:

Vasantha Mandapam:

This mandapam is used for special poojas during festivals and fasting days to house to Utsava Murtis (festival deities). It can directly be viewed from outside through a newly constructed archway on the Southern wall of the temple.

Vahana Mandapam:

This mandapam houses the various vehicles of Utsava Murtis (processional deities). It is located on the North wall of the temple. It houses nearly 50 different vehicles. The most impressive being Ravana-Kailasa Vahanam. This vehicle depicts the demon King of Lanka and ardent devotee of Lord Shiva; Ravana lifting Mount Kailasa while peacefully playing a makeshift veena created from one of his heads and arms by plucking the veins and arteries to soothe Lord Rakshaseshwara (who is the Lord of the Rakshas (of which Ravana is one), Sri Kailasa-Nayinar Swami).

It is believed that Ravana resides within this vehicle and hence it always attracts thousands of devotees when in use. It has become an indisputable icon of this temple due to the myths that surround the visit of Ravana to the island to offer poojas to Lord Rakshaseshwara (who is the Lord of the Rakshas, Sri Kailasa-Nayinar Swami).

Kalayana Mandapam:

This mandapam is used for conducting marriage ceremonies. It is located on the Northern side of the Temple premises.

Annapoorneshwari Annadhana Mandapam:

This mandapam is used for the distribution of free food during festivals and social events. It is located on the Northern side of the Temple premises, nearby the Kalayana Mandapam. Oftentimes this venue is used to serve wedding feasts after wedding ceremonies which are held at the Kalayana Mandapam. It houses Annapoorneshwari Amman, the Hindu Goddess of nourishment, however regular poojas are not offered here.

Amuthasurabi Annadhana Mandapam:

This mandapam is used for the distribution of free food every day to all those who visit the temple. It is located on the southern end of the Temple premises. This mandapam serves to validate the values that are mentioned in the ancient Tamil epic of Manimekalai. The epic is set in both the harbour town of Kaveripoompattinam, the modern town of Puhar in Tamil Nadu, and in Nainativu, a small sandy island of the Jaffna Peninsula.

The story follows the following plot: The dancer-courtesan Manimekalai is pursued by the amorous Chola prince Udyakumaran, but rather wants to dedicate herself to a religious celibate life. The sea goddess Manimekala Theivam (Manimekalai Devi) puts her to sleep and takes her to the island Manipallavam (Nainativu). After waking up and wandering about the island Manimekalai comes across the Dharma-seat, which was placed there by Lord Indra, on which Buddha had taught and appeased two warring Naga princes.

Those who worship it miraculously know their previous life. Manimekalai automatically worshiped it and recollects what has happened in her previous life. She then meets the guardian goddess of the Dharma seat, Deeva-Teelakai (Dvipa Tilaka) who explains her the significance of the Dharma seat and lets her acquire the magic never-failing begging bowl (cornucopia) called Amurta Surabhi (”cow of abundance”), which will always provide food to alleviate hunger. As such, devotees and visitors are welcomed to enjoy a traditional meal after visiting the temple.

Sri Bhuvaneswari Kalai Aranga Mandapam:

This mandapam is used for various performances in dance, music and art. It was recently renovated and repainted in 2011 to suit the design of the newly constructed Raja Gopuram. Bharatanatyam, mridangam, Nadaswaram and Sankirthana performances are conducted in this Mandapam.

Temple Tanks:

Kailasaroopa Pushkarini:

This temple tank is located on the Southern premises of the temple. It was recently renovated in 2011 and has a 15 feet high sculpture of Sri Nagapooshani Amman embracing Sri Kailasa-Nayinar Swami atop the famous Ravana-Kailasa Vahanam. A unique feature about this sculpture is that the cobras with their open hoods, spit water resembling a fountain. Since the renovation, visitors are prohibited from entering its waters.

Amrutha Gangadharani Theertham:

This temple tank is located approximately 1 km from the temple on the western shore of the island of Nainativu. It was built by Muthukumara Swamiyar (a resident saint of Nainativu) in the early 1940s. It is nearby the Nainai Siva-Gangai Temple and is accessed by flights of stone steps leading from the small stone shrine.

Temple Chariot:

The Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple chariot is, perhaps, the most beautiful and exquisitely sculpted example of a temple chariot in all of Tamilakam. This chariot is used to carry the Utsava Murtis (processional deities). The chariot is usually used only once a year for the festival Ther Thiruvizha (chariot festival), which is drawn by several thousand devotees around the outer pradakshina (path) of the temple.

It reaches the height of 35 feet and is covered with various sculptures depicting the history of the temple. Two other slightly smaller (30 feet) chariots for Ganapathi and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai always accompany the main chariot. The main chariot is unique and has become an iconic figure of this temple. It is one of the largest chariots in Sri Lanka.