Murugan Temple / Pazhamudircholai / Pazhamudhircholai Murugan Temple / பழமுதிர்ச்சோலை முருகன் திருக்கோவில், Alagar Hills, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

This Murugan Temple is one of the 6 abodes of Shri Muruga. As per hearsay, the original temple was at Alagar Kovil and the same was shifted to the present place during Thirumalai Nayakar‘s period. A large number of people visit the temple by trekking. Van facility is available from the base and they charge Rs 10/- for one way as a donation. During my visit I had seen Children and youngsters climbed the by jogging and roller skating.

This temple was praised in Sangam literature Silapathikaram, Pathupattu, and Ettuthogai. The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple. Since Arunagirinathar praised both Nupura Gangai alias Silambaru and Solai malai, this is considered as the 6^th Padai Veedu of 6 Padai Veedu / Six abodes of Sri Murugan. Basically, Padai Veedu is one related to war, where the Soldiers used to stay and weapons were kept. It is believed that the Purana of Killing Demon Soorapadman is also associated with this place.

வாரண முகங்கி ழிந்து வீழவு மரும்ப லர்ந்து

         மால்வரை யசைந்த நங்கன்                                                    ...... முடிசாய

வாளகிரி யண்ட ரண்ட கோளமுற நின்றெ ழுந்த

    மாதவ மறந்து றந்து                                                                    ...... நிலைபேரப்

பூரண குடங்க டிந்து சிதகள பம்பு னைந்து

    பூசலை விரும்பு கொங்கை                                                          ...... மடவார்தம்

போக சயனந் தவிர்ந்து னாடக பதம்ப ணிந்து

    பூசனைசெய் தொண்ட னென்ப                                                     ...... தொருநாளே

ஆரண முழங்கு கின்ற ஆயிர மடந்த வங்கள்

    ஆகுதி யிடங்கள் பொங்கு                                                            ...... நிறைவீதி

ஆயிர முகங்கள் கொண்ட நூபுர மிரங்கு கங்கை

    யாரமர வந்த லம்பு                                                                       ...... துறைசேரத்

தோரண மலங்கு துங்க கோபுர நெருங்கு கின்ற

    சூழ்மணிபொன் மண்ட பங்கள்                                                      ...... ரவிபோலச்

சோதியின் மிகுந்த செம்பொன் மாளிகை விளங்குகின்ற

         சோலைமலை வந்து கந்த                                                       ...... பெருமாளே.

….  திருப்புகழ்

Nakkeerar also praised Murugan of this temple as “Pazhamudircholai Malaikizhavone – பழமுதிர்சோலை கிழவோனே”. And Nachchinarkiniyar “Pazham muRRina Cholai – பழம் முற்றின சோலை”.

Main Deity:  Sri Murugan

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The 3-tier Rajagopuram is at the front and the same was constructed in recent years. There are three sanctums, they are  Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar  (In Arupadai Veedu temples this is the only temple where Lord Muruga is with Sri Valli and Devasena), and Gnanavel (This Vel/spear is made of stone and worshiped from ancient times, considered as Moolavar).

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. In the mandapam Gold plated Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Palliyarai. Vahana mandapam and rest halls are in the outer prakaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though this Murugan temple was referred to in ancient texts, it is believed that a temple existed at Alagar Kovil and the same was shifted to the present place. But this existing present structure was built during the 20^th to 21^st Century.

The temple is under the control of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.

LEGENDS

The story of Avvaiyar, the Tamil poet with Sri Murugan for the ‘sutta pazham’ and ‘sudatha pazham’ is believed to have happened at this place. On a hot sunny day, Avvaiyar was traveling on this way and had taken a rest under a Naaval tree. Lord Muruga appeared as a shepherd boy and wanted to play with her Tamil literature skills. So he asked her whether she wanted roasted or raw fruit. Avvaiyar wasn’t aware the Shepherd boy was none other than Lord Muruga. Avvaiyar asked the boy, to give her roasted fruit. Muruga ripped Naaval fruits, which fell on the sand and stuck with the fruit. Avvaiyar took the fruit, blew with her mouth, and ate. Lord Muruga asked Avvaiyar whether the fruit was very hot. Then only Avvaiyar realized that the Shepherd boy was none other than Lord Muruga. Muruga appeared in its original form and blessed her.

In this temple, Sri Valli is considered Ichcha Sakthi, Devasena as Kriya Sakthi, and Lord Muruga himself as Gnana Sakthi.

As per Kachchiappa Sivachariyar, in Kanda Puranam, Muruga requested his brother Vinayagar to come in the form of an elephant to get married to Valli.

The Sthala Vruksham Naaval tree will yield fruit in the month Aippasi, against the seasonal months of Aadi or Avani.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on important days like Panguni Uthiram in March, Kanda Sashti, Aadi Krithigai, Vaikasi Visakam, Tamil New Year Day, Avani Pooram, Thirukarthigai, Fridays with special naivedyam, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 18.00 Hrs without break.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline Telephone number is +91 452 2094720 or +914522470228 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Town bus route No 44 is available from the Periyar bus stand and buses are also available from Anna Bus Stand up to the Base of the hill ie up to Alagar Kovil.

From the base of the Hill, a van facility is provided (Donation Rs 10/- for one way) by Devasthanam.

Nearest Railway Station is Madurai Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---