Prananadeswarar Temple
Prananadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirumangalakudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Prananatheswarar, and is represented by the "lingam" and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangala Nayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the "Tevaram", written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as "Paadal Petra Sthalam". There are many inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contributions from Cholas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. The oldest parts of the present masonry structure were built during  the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions, are attributed to later periods, up to the Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century. The temple house a five-tiered gateway tower known as "gopurams". The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mangalapureeswarar and Mangalanayagi being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and three precincts. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and five yearly festivals on its calendar. The Panguni Brahmostavam festival when the sacred marriage of the presiding deity is performed, is the major festival in  the temple. The temple is now maintained and administered by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. The temple is one of a few temples in South India where Kaali Attam, a dance depiction of Hindu deity Kali is performed. Legend. The temple is glorified by Tevaram hymns The temple is believed to have been built by a minister of Kulothunga chola1 with the tax money amassed. This invited the wrath of the king and he ordered punishment to the minister. The minister's wife worshipped Mangalambigai (Parvathi) of this temple to save her Mangalyam (holy tie worn by married woman). The minister was punished  and his corpse was brought to Tirumangalakudi. The moment it reached the place, he got his life back due to the effect of the presiding deity. From then on, the place is believed to provide aegis to Mangalyam. As per another legend, when Navagrahas were cursed to have leprosy by Brahma for relieving a saint from leprosy as they do not have authority to change destiny, Brahma asked them to go to thirumangalakkudi and pray Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayagar (Ganesh who absolved sins of planets) to be absolved from their sins. Architecture. Around six inscriptions are found in the temple  from the Cholas, Pallavas and Vijayanagara kings. There are inscriptions from the period of Kulothunga Chola, indicating this temple as Kulothunga Cholesawaram. The temple is located in the village of Thirumangalakudi, 2 kilometres from the Aduthurai and 16 km from Kumbakonam. The temple house a five-tiered gateway tower known as "gopurams". There are three precincts in the temple. The presiding deity is Prananadeswarar (Shiva) and the Goddess, Mangalambigai (Parvathi). The main deity is believed to be Swayambu Lingam(self formed). The temple faces east and is entered via a five-tiered pyramidal "rajagopuram" (gateway tower). The presiding deity in the  form of lingam is housed in the sanctum in square shape. The attached hall, the "ardhamandapa" measures the same width as the sanctum, while its length is twice the sanctum. The "ardhamandapa" projects towards the east. The "Mukhamandapa" has a square structure. There are five "devakoshtas" that cover the exterior walls of the sanctum. The images of Dakshinamurthy and Brahma are the only ones remaining out of the five. There are two large Dvarapala, guardian deities on either side of the entrance of the "ardhamandapa". The water bodies associated with the temple are Mangala Theertham, the temple tank located outside  the temple. There are images of river Kaveri and Meikandadevar located around the shrines of the sanctum. Religious importance. The temple is revered in the verses of "Tevaram", the 7th century Saivite canonical work by the three saint poets, namely, Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. As the temple is revered in "Tevaram", it is classified as "Paadal Petra Sthalam", one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the northern banks of River Kaveri. The unique feature of this temple is that all the presiding deities are  named Mangalam, indicating prosperity. Parvathi as Mangalambigai, Vinayagar as Mangala Vinayagar, Vimanam (Tower) as Mangala Vimanam, Theertham (Temple Tank) as Mangala Theertham all indicate prosperity. The temple is one of a few temples in South India where Kaali Attam, a dance depiction of Hindu deity Kali is performed. During the KaaLiyaa Attam performance, an evil form depiction succumbs against the dancer performer depicting Kali. The temple and the nearby Suryanar Kovil are closely associated in worship practices. Devotees have to visit Suryanar Kovil after visiting the Thirumangalakudi temple. Worship practices. The temple priests perform the "puja" (rituals) during festivals and  on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: "abhisheka" (sacred bath), "alangaram" (decoration), "naivethanam" (food offering) and "deepa aradanai" (waving of lamps) for both Mangalapureeswarar and Mangalanayagi. The worship is held amidst music with "nagaswaram" (pipe instrument) and "tavil" (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by  priests and prostration by worshipers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ' (Monday) and ' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like "pradosham" and monthly festivals like "amavasai" (new moon day), "kiruthigai", "pournami" (full moon day) and "sathurthi". Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of ' (September – October), Thiruvadhirai during the month of ' (December – January) and Annabhishekam during the Tamil month of "" are the major festivals celebrated in the temple. The Panguni Uthram Brahmotsavam festival when the holy marriage of Mangalapureeswarar and Manglanayagi is celebrated, is the major festival in the temple.