Uthirakosamangai Temple, located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, is a must-visit destination for those planning a South India tour focused on spirituality, heritage, and temple travel. Renowned for housing a rare emerald (Maragatha) Nataraja idol, this ancient temple is steeped in divine mysticism and centuries-old Shaivite traditions.
It is an essential stop on tours in Tamilnadu and is especially recommended for pilgrims, heritage lovers, and those interested in sacred art and architecture.
This is the only temple in India where Lord Shiva in the Nataraja form is made entirely of emerald. This rare idol is over 6 feet tall and is kept covered in sandal paste throughout the year, revealed only once annually during the Arudra Darshan festival in December.
According to legends, this is where Lord Shiva imparted divine secrets (Uthira Kosam) to Parvati, giving the village its name—Uthirakosamangai.
The temple is believed to be over 2,000 years old and finds mention in ancient Tamil texts. The architecture reflects a blend of Pandya and early Dravidian styles with rich carvings and sacred mandapams.
Unlike crowded temple cities, Uthirakosamangai offers a calm and spiritually enriching experience, ideal for inclusion in custom travel packages and Shaivite pilgrimage tours.
Uthirakosamangai Temple is one of Tamil Nadu’s most mystical and lesser-known jewels. For those seeking authentic spiritual travel experiences as part of their South India tour, this destination promises divine serenity, historical significance, and one-of-a-kind marvels like the emerald Nataraja.
