This Murugan Temple is one of the 6 abodes of Shri Muruga. As
per hearsay that the original temple was at Alagar Kovil and the
same was shifted to the present place during Thirumalai Nayakar‘s period.
Large number of people visits the temple by trekking. Van facility is
available from the base and they charges 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 literatures Silapathikaram,
Pathupattu and Ettuthogai. The 15th 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 6th padai veedu of 6 padai veedu / Six abodes of Sri Murugan.
Basically, Padai veedu is that one related to war, where the Soldiers used to
stay and weapons will be 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 front and the same was constructed
during 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 in ancient texts, it is believed that a temple was existed at Alagar
Kovil and the same was shifted to the present place. But this existing present
structure was built during 20th to 21st Century.
The temple under the control of 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
be happened at this place. On a hot sunny day, Avvaiyar was
travelling on this way, had taken rest under a Naaval tree. Lord Muruga
appeared as shepherd boy, wanted to play with her Tamil literature skill. So he
asked her whether she wants roasted or raw fruit. Avvaiyar didn’t aware the
Shepherd boy is none other than Lord Muruga. Avvaiyar asked the boy, to give her
roasted fruit. Muruga made to fall ripped Naaval fruits, which felled on the
sand and sticked with the fruit.
Avvaiyar took the fruit, blew with her mouth
and ate. Lord Muruga asked Avvaiyar whether the fruit is very hot. Then only
Avvaiyar realized that the Shepherd boy is none other than Lord Muruga. Muruga
appeared in original form and blessed her.
In this temple, Sri Valli is considered as Ichcha akthi,
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 elephant to get married
with 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 +91 452 2094720 or +914522470228 may
be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
Town bus route No 44 is available from Periyar bus stand and
buses also available from Anna Bus Stand up to Base of the hill ie up to Alagar
Kovil.
From base of the Hill, van facility is provided (
Donation Rs 10/- for one way) by Devasthanam.
Nearest Railway Station is Madurai Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE
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