The Castle of Thiruvasagam

The Castle of Thiruvasagam is situated in Navatkuli, Jaffna along A9 road in a 10 acre land. In the luscious environment with lovely river and Palmyra groves Navatkuli is chosen to build the Thiruvasaga Castle. The castle stands there as the highest, beautiful and outstanding holy place of Lord Dakshinamurthy- the Guru of Saint Manickavasagar – at Navatkuli. The Castle of Thiruvasagam in Navatkuli, Jaffna, Sri Lanka reminds us of Chiddambaram temple in India where Manicka vasagar’s Thiruvasagam and Thirukovayar are engraved in rock stones. The visitors and worshippers of the Castle of Thiruvasagam first worship Lord Ganesh and bathe Sage Agasthiyar and then worship Manickavasagar who stands besides an immense Shivalingam on a rock Chariot of 21 feet height surrounded by cooling water. The immense Palipeedam and Nantheeswarar attract one to worship them first and then the Dakshinamurthy in His appropriate form with the features such as abayakastham etc. and seated under the Kurumthai tree with the expression of giving His Grace and Initiation. Along and behind the Moorthy there are 108 Shivalingas adorned in pattu veshti and ruthratcha garland. The pious devotees worship the Moorthy to get education, protection, redemption from the evil and to be blessed with good health, wealth, great knowledge and Gnana. Many pray to get the good benefits of Viyaala bagavan by worshiping Dakshinamurthy. Therefore, there are special poojas on every Thursdays.

The great endeavour to build this castle of Thiruvasagam, the founders, donors, well-wishers and Temple Trust should be thanked, and their work should be appreciated. Today in this digital age it is astonishing to see how Mr.Vinothan from Mullaitivu has piously engraved Thiruvasagam on the rock stones which are installed on the walls of this castle.

Manickavasagar was born in Thiruvathavur. He sang many hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Among them Thiruvasagam and Thirukovayar are very popular. Vathavurer (Manickavasagar named after his birth place) won the title of Thennavan Paramarayar with his excellent knowledge. He was appointed as the Minister of the Pandya King Varagunavarman II from 862CE -885CE.

Vathavurer was very often tested by Lord Shiva who made him realise the Almighty. He chose Dasa marga life of a servant of God, and Gnana marga- as a life of a knower of God. Vathavurer was named as Thiruvaathavoorar, Manivasagar and Manickavasagar. The words in Manickavasagar’s hymns and songs could be valued as Maanikkam( precious gems) and the love towards Lord Shiva as the string with which he tied the gems of words to make the garland of religious songs.

Ramana Maharshi expressed that Manickavasagar left this planet in his physical form without any remains- in the form of a great light (Jothy).

King Varaguna Pandyan once sent Vathavurer to purchase horses by entrusting him with lots of money. On his way Manickavasagar started to seek a Guru to realise the Truth. Lord Shiva came in the form of a brahmin with Sivaganabotham in his hand. Vathavurer recognised Him. He was further inspired – out of great love of God Shiva -to build the Tirupperunturai temple out of the money given by the king to buy horses. When Vathavurer failed to carry out the king’s order buy the horses, the king sent soldiers to search for the Minister. Vathavurer forgot about the King’s order and stayed in Tirupperunturai and waited for the Lord to get His Grace. On an auspicious day he saw and realised that the sage seated under the Kurunthai tree is the guru whom he was searching in this and in his previous births. Manickavasagar sat in front of the Sage there and watched Him. The Guru closed his eyes and did not utter any words. In a short while Manickavasagar was drawn by the Guru’s speechless- mouna- upadesha without any sound- in a silent manner. Saint Manickavasagar sang many verses in praise of Lord Shiva taking the form of Dakshinamurthy to redeem him from this birth. His long search for a spiritual guru came to an end and finally he got initiated by Him.

Soon Lord Shiva in order to save his Disciple from Varaguna pandyan disguised himself as a horse merchant and converted jackals as horses and took them to the palace. After handing over their fake horses the merchant (Lord Shiva) disappeared. At midnight all the horses took their original form as jackals and yelled. Pandyan punished Manickavasagar. Lord Shiva thus made many miracles prepare Vathavurer to become fit to be His disciple.

Thiruvasagam evokes bakthi and makes one fully surrender to Lord Shiva. The yearning for Lord Shiva’s Grace to lift him up from mundane life to high spiritual Plato is the essence of Thiruvasagam. Thiruvasagam melts everybody.

Dr.Aruthirumurugan along with his team has worked tirelessly to build this temple and to maintain the spiritual atmosphere. The Castle of Thiruvasagam attracts people from within and outside from the country. The translations of Thiruvasagam in all different languages too are exhibited.

Let us feel and experience Manickavasagar’s meeting of Guru Dakshinamurthy, his initiation and total surrender to Lord Shiva and realise the Truth to attain Mukthi in this birth itself.

Prof. Dr. Shanmugayogini Ravindran

Senior Lecturer in English

Department of English Language Teaching

University of Jaffna

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