Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Sivagiri, Thirunelveli
Balasubramanya
Swamy Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located at Sivagiri in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Bala
Subramaniyar. Utsavar is Muthukumarar. Theertham of this temple is Saravana
Poigai.
Legends
Lord
Muruga, after destroying demon Soorapadman, was returning to Tiruparankundram
to wed Mother Deivanai. Sage Agasthya was performing penance in the place seeking
the darshan of Muruga. Lord, on his way granted darshan to the sage and
stayed in this place as wished by the sage. The temple was built
later. As the Lord appears here as a little child – Bala – He is praised
as Balasubramanya.
The
Temple
Lord
Muruga grants darshan with his turf mated up as a crown. A metal piece –
thagadu – is placed at his feet with zodiac symbols as he assures relief to the
devotees from planetary problems. This is a rare form of Lord Muruga. The
shrine is situated in an environment of scenic beauty surrounded by hills and
water resources. The temple is on Sakthi Malai, Sakthi-Mother. Shiva
hill is on the left. The temple is in Somaskanda – Lord Muruga with Shiva
and Shakti on both sides.
On the
right of Muruga shrine is Lord Sundareswarar and Mother Meenakshi on the left. Procession
deity here is Muthukumarar used in Panguni Brahmmotsavam. The procession
darshan is available to the devotees only for three days during the festivals.
Darshan during other days can be had only within the temple.
There
are shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Mahavishnu, Mother Chandikeswari,
Bhairava, Navagrahas the nine planets, Sani Bhagwan, Mother Ashtabuja Durga and
Idumban. There is also a separate shrine for Lingodhbava in the ghoshta
wall with Brahmma and Chandikeswara nearby opposite to each other. There
is a shrine for Mother Kali in the middle of the hill.
The
first puja is offered to her at morning and evening Sayaraksha. Special pujas
are dedicated to her on full moon days. Lord Muruga in the temple is
praised as Navagraha Muruga. Vinayaka is known as Anugnai Vinayaka. The Pada
Mandapam of the temple is at the place where Lord granted Darshan to Sage
Agasthya. The Shivalinga is nearby.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 4.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Panguni Brahmmotsavam
in March-April, Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in
May-June and Masi Magam in February-March are the festivals observed in the
temple. Pujas are performed in the temple as per Tiruchendur procedures. Skanda
Sashti in Murugan temples are celebrated for 6 days or 7 days with the wedding
festivals. Here the festival is celebrated for 11 days. Soora
Samharam is celebrated on the 6th day. The wedding festival takes place the
next day.
The
coronation festival to the Lord is celebrated on the 11th day placing the Lord
on the throne with gold crown and the Sengole the stick representing the royal
authority. He comes then in procession in his royal robe known as Pattina
Pravesam – entering the city. This is a famous festival of the temple. Among
the Saivite saints, Tirugnanasambandar was graced with the wisdom milk fed by
Mother Parvathi. He is considered as the incarnation of Lord Muruga.
This
festival is celebrated in the temple on the 6th day of Panguni Brahmmotsavam
when the Lord is fed with milk remembering this event. During this festival,
Lord Muruga appears with red in the morning puja (Sivappu Sathi) with Lord
Shiva attribute, in white in the midday with Brahmma attribute (Vellai Sathi),
in green dress as Vishnu (Pachai Sathi) on the third puja in the next
morning. He goes for the river bath (Theerthavari) on Panguni Uthiram day.
Prayers
Those
facing adverse planetary aspects, to children in particulars and those
suffering from paralysis pray here for relief. Devotees perform milk abishek to
Lord Muruga. Those facing problems, pray to the Lord on the day attributed to
the particular planet.
Contact
Sri Balasubramanya
Swamy Temple,
Sivagiri
– 627 757,
Thirunelveli
District
Phone: +91 – 4636 – 251 015
Mobile: +91 99448 70058 / 99448 73484
Connectivity
Sivagiri
is 108 kms from Madurai on the Kuttralam route. The temple is 1 km from the bus
stop. Auto facility is available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Rajapalayam
and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
