The visit to this Shri Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Pollachi was a
part of “Temples, Hero Stones, Memorial Stones, Hero Stambhas (Mala Koil) and
Heritage Sites Visit, around Pollachi”, on 31st January 2026 and 1st February 2026.
Thanks to Mr Bala, Mrs Padma Jyothi, and Mrs Sakthi Prakash for accompanying
me on both days.
It is believed that this place was
called Porul Atchi (trading of goods, which ruled), which has become
Pollachi. The temple complex consists of Sri Subramaniar Temple, Sri
Sundareswarar Temple and Ambal Shri Neebakshi Temple. All three temples are
facing east.
Moolavar : Shri Subramaniar
Consort : Shri Valli Devasena
Some of the salient features of this
temple are…
The temple faces east with a mini
gopuram. Stucco images of Subramaniar are on the gopuram on both sides. Dwajastambham,
balipeedam and the Peacock vahana are in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas are
at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Shri Subramaniar, with is vahana
Peacock, is in the sanctum sanctorum. It is said that moolavar Sri Subramaniar,
his vahana peacock and the thiruvasi are made of a single stone. Deva koshtas are
empty. Utsavars Natarajar with Sivakami are in the ardha mandapam. It is believed
that the two images at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum are Sundara Pandyan
and his Queen.
Shri Sundareswarar Temple
Moolavar : Sri Sundareswarar
Consort : Sri Meenakshi
Some of the salient features of the
temple are…
This temple faces east with a three-tier Rajagopuram. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Dwarapalakas are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round
avdaiyar. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga. Chandikeswarar
is in front of Brhma.
Ambal Sri Kamakshi is on the right
side of Shiva’s sannidhi. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum
sanctorum. A rshabam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal is in a standing
posture, holding a lotus bud in the right hand, and her left hand is in dola hastham. Deva
koshtas are empty.
In the praharam, Bairavar, Vinayagar and
vahana mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
Of the three temples, the Sri Subramaniar
temple is the oldest. This temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is
on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The
bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, pakalai, veera kandam and vettu pothyal.
The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus,
and vyyalavari. A one-tier nagara brick
vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Various forms of stucco images of Murugan are on
the tala and greeva koshtams.
The mandapam pillar and ceiling are
famous for their beautiful sculptures. The pillars have the images of Ramar,
Hanuman, Krishna, Meenakshi with three breasts, Mahara uazhi, Ranganathar as
Ananda sayanar, Natarajar, Bringu Munivar with three legs, Mahishamardini,
Nisumbasudhani, Bairavar, Pichadanar, cow milking on a Shiva Lingam, various
forms of Ambal, Nagas, birds, flower motifs, Etc.
The ceiling has the bas-reliefs of 12
Rasi panel (Zodiac signs) and a hanging chain. The chain is hanging from the
mouth of a yazhi. The Yazhi with the chain is an integral part of the ceiling
slab.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Subramaniar temple belongs to the 12th
– 13th century Kongu Chozha period. Kongu Chozha Thiribhuvana
Chakravarthy Vikrama Chozha, Kongu
Sundara Pandiyan, Kochi Royal family period inscriptions are found on the
adhistanam. As per the inscriptions, Pollachi was called Pozhilvaichi. The
main Deity Shiva was called Agastheeswaram Udaiyar. From this, it is presumed
that the original was a Shiva temple, and later Subramaniar and Ambal temples
were added.
Shiva and Ambal temples may be
reconstructed during the Nayakas period. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26th
January 1983, 4th May 2001, and 30th January 2020.
Mandapam pillar inscription
LEGENDS
Devotees pray to Sri Subramaniar for a child boon, to remove marriage obstacles, etc.
On Thaipoosam day, devotees stay at
this temple on the way to Palani and pray for trouble-free walking.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from 4 kala poojas, special
poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Thaipoosam, Kandar Sashti, Kiruthigai,
Sankadahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Pournami, Amavasya, Arudra Darshan,
etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from
06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile numbers of Archakars, K
Gauthamaguhan +919566951082, R R Ganesh +919894755860 and P Thiyagarajan
+919940886374 may be contacted for poojas and other details.
HOW TO REACH
The Subramaniar temple is in the heart
of the City on SS Koil Street, 1.4 km from Pollachi Railway Junction, 1.7 km
from Bus Stand, 28.8 km from Udumalaipettai and 42 km from Coimbatore Railway
Station.
The nearest Railway Junction is
Pollachi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
