Monday, March 27, 2017

Thoranamalai Murugan Temple, Thirunelveli

Thoranamalai Murugan Temple, Thirunelveli
Thoranamalai Murugan Temple is located in Thoranamalai Hills in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Thoranamalai is located very near to Courtrallam. It is located on Tenkasi to Kadayam Route. This is a highly popular temple on a hilltop in a beautiful location. The temple’s speciality being that there are 60 natural water springs (sunai) around the Hill.


Legends
Thoranamalai looks like an elephant; hence it is called as Vaarana Malai. It was believed that Agasthiyar stayed here and did research on medicines. Also his disciple Theraiyar attained Jeeva Samadhi here. It was believed that Lord Rama visited here and worshipped Agasthya. People believe that Siddhars come and worship this hill in formless form.

The Temple
The temple is situated just in midst of a rocky plain fully covered by iron grills. (Iron grills might have built to protect the temple from the monkeys). It is a very good treat to eyes to see the surroundings and the sceneries. Murugan is enshrined in this hill in a cave at the top of the hill. The way from the downhill to hill top is full of greenery. Lord Vinayaka Temple at the Foot Hill marks the path to hill top Murugan temple. There was another Murugan Temple at the downhill.


There was an entrance arch for this temple at the downhill. Shrines of Vallabha Vinayaka, Navagraha, Guru Bhagavan, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Sapthakannis, Kannimaramman and Nagars can be seen in the Murugan Temple located at downhill. There are 926 Steps to reach the hill temple. There are herbal plants all along the way to the hill temple. Take care of elders and children as the path to hill temple is rugged.


Murugan at the hill temple (Cave) is facing east. Mahakavi Bharathiyar had praised this Murugan as “Kugaikul Vaazhum Kugane”. There are 64 Sunais (springs) in Thoranamalai. There are 2 Sunais (springs) located at Downhill. It is believed that if devotees take bath in these springs will cure their Skin Disease.


Water will be available in these springs during peak summer also. Waters of these springs tastes different with each spring and has medicinal values. The Mother Nature around is preserved at its best around the temple. The Foot hill has nice well maintained park.
Poojas & Festivals
Uchi Kala Pooja is conducted every day in the hill temple. Thaipoosam, Vaikasi Visakam and Last Friday of Tamil Month are celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare.
Prayers
Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, remedy from illness, child boon, trade development, family prosperity.
Connectivity
Thoranamalai is located very near to Courtrallam. It is located on Tenkasi to Kadayam Route. Thoranamalai is located about 9 kms North-West of Kadayam, 15 Kms from Tenkasi, 16 Kms from Courtrallam, 23 Kms from Sengottai, 60 Kms from Thirunelveli, 178 Kms from Madurai and 125 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.