Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Pachaimalai Subramanyaswamy Temple also known
as Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple is one of the two major hill
temples (other being Pavalamalai) located in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu,
dedicated to Hindu God Kartikeya. The temple constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, is located on top of a small
hillock in the outskirts of the town of Gobichettipalayam.
Pachaimalai, Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple is
located in Gobichettipalayam, a quiet town in the Erode district. Gobi, as it
is shortly called, has two hill temples - Pachaimalai and Pavalamalai.
Pachaimalai and Pavalamalai is considered to be a great reason to justify the
town's ethics. Pachaimalai is also colloquially pronounced as 'Pachamalai'
Arulmigu Balamurugan, the child god, son of Shiva Parvathi, the god of army,
the teacher of all, finds his place in this scenic hill temple. The Lord
appears in a very beautiful form and it is very difficult to take one's eye
off. The Poojai activities at the temple are renowned. The 'Artha Jama' poojai
resembles the one at Palani. Arulmigu Balamurugan takes the simplest form with
white clothes sans his ornamental jewels. This is the most peaceful scene; one
can ever get in his life. Though the pachaimalai subramaniyaswamy temple is
ancient, the structure has been built starting 1967.
The most recent 'Swarna Bandhana Kumbabishekam' was
held in June 2006 in Pachaimalai. Other deities residing in the temple are
Vidya Ganapathi (form of common sense, quick wit and knowledge),
Maragatheeswarar, Maragatha Valli, Guru Dhakshinamurthy, Kalyana Subramanyar,
Anjaneyar, Navagraham and Kala Bhairavar. Urchava Murthys are Dhandayudhapani,
Shanmugar, Subramanyar Pradhosha Moorthy and Aiyappar. Golden Chariot and
Golden Peacock mount have been donated by the public to the Almighty.
A wooden chariot runs around the Pachaimalai hill
during Panguni Uthiram Chariot Festival. The temple is renowned for the
'Vaasthu' poojai where people bring the first brick to perform poojai at the
Sannidhanam. 'Ayyappa Maalai' in Karthigai month is also started here. Couples
who are in need of children perform their Sashti fasting here. It is a belief
that the couple in fasting at Pachaimalai would get a child. Anyone who is not
married pray 'Kalyana' Subramanyar and Guru Dakshinamurthy for their requests
to be answered in Pachaimalai
History
Saint Dhurvasar performed his routine worship of
Lord Shiva at Modachur in outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. While workshipping,
he wanted to have a Darshan of Lord Subramanya. Not finding a temple around, he
tried to find out a place of worship through his penance. He discovered a small
hillock at nearby wherein he installed Lord Subramanya as Balakumara facing
west on the advice of Lord Shiva, which later developed into Pachaimalai temple.
The temple itself is more than 3000 years old. The
present structure was renovated in 1956 by P. K. Kuppuswamy Gounder and the
first Maha Kumbabishekam was performed in 1980 led by P. K. Eswaran as
renovation committee head. The latest Kumbabishekam was performed in June 2006.
It should be noted that a large wooden chariot runs
around Pachaimalai for every Panguni Uthiram during the Chariot (Ther)
Festival. It is the largest wooden chariot in this area after Avinashi Ther. A
golden chariot is available for Murugan to play around his abode. The beauty of
Dhandapani in golden chariot should be seen and as it is unexplainable.
Arulmigu Dhandapani goes to golden chariot in his mount 'golden peacock' with
complete golden attire. This cannot be seen even in Palani and Thiruchendur.
Now, there is seven period regular poojai performed with two period of
Abishekam daily. The night time ArdhaJaama Poojai is performed in comparison
with Palani.
Architecture
The temple has a five storey main Gopuram built
according to the Dravidian architecture. The main deity is Balamurugan,
the child form of Lord Murugan. The main deity faces west similar to Palani Dhandayuthapani temple. The temple also has a colossal
statue of Lord Muruga, which is visible from the town of Gobichettipalayam. The
temple also has shrines dedicated to various gods and goddesses including Vidya Ganapathy , Maragatheeswarar and
His consort Maragathavalli
, Kalyana Subramanya with
His consorts Valli and
Deivanai , Maragatha
Venkatesa Perumal with His consorts Sridevi and
Bhoodevi, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairava and the Navagraha.
Special practices
Devotees perform Rudrabishek with rosewater to Lord
Muruga and offer vastras in green to grant boons for marriage. It is the
staunch belief of the devotees that worship of Lord Muruga in the temple would
ensure higher education, child boon, relief from debt burdens, prosperity and
health. Students offer Arugampul garlands to Lord Vidya Ganapathy for granting
higher education boons.
Schedule and Puja
The temple is open on all days from 6 AM to 1 PM
and 4 PM to 8 PM. There are 7 timely Pooja scheduled daily of which late evening
7 PM pooja is considered special. Every Tuesday, New Moon day (Amavasa),
Sankatahara Chathurthi (Waning Period), Pradhosham, Full Moon day, Theipirai
Bhairavar Yaagam, Shashti and Kiruthigai are celebrated with special pooja.
Based on reservation, the golden peacock and golden chariot runs around 7 PM
Temple Timing
On all days: 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM
Daily 7 timely Poojai schedules
Late Evening 7 PM poojai is considered special and
a must attend
Special Days
Every Tuesday, New Moon day, Sankatahara Chathurthi
(Waning Period), Pradhosham, Full Moon day Girivalam, Waning Period Bhairavar
Poojai, Shashti and Kiruthigai are celebrated.
Based on reservation, Golden Chariot runs around 7
PM
Fairs and festivals
Panguni Uthiram signifies the day when Lord Subramanya
married Deivanai,
daughter of Indra.
Chariot festival is celebrated with much grandeur with lakhs of people
attending the celebrations. The lord is taken for a procession on a massive
wooden chariot, one of the largest in the state. The lord is presented with
rose water, green clothes and garlands. Kavadi Attam is
also performed by devotees and free food is provided to all devotees.
Skanda Shashti is celebrated with usual pomp. Lord
Subramanya was on six day fast along with his devoted people on this day and to
mark this occasion, there are special pooja scheduled on all six days and the
lord is taken for a procession in a golden chariot. Lord Subramanya got his
weapon Vel from
his mother Parvati to
kill demon Soorapadman. The "killing of Soorapadman"
is termed as Soorasamharam and the event is enacted in Gobichettipalayam.
Later, Lord Subramanya goes back to Pachaimalai in his peacock mount and
special pooja takes place.
Kalyanotsavam is performed to Lord Subramanya with
Valli and Deivayanai at the Vasantha Mandapam in
Pachaimalai. Everyone is served lunch and the 'fasting' devotees finish their
fast. Vaikaasi Visaagam festival is celebrated with great devotion with
Lakshaarchanai. On Visaagam day, Thaarabishekam is performed to the Lord with
large quantities of milk. Later, Sathru Samhara Homam was performed. Guru and
Sani Peyarchi special pooja is also performed. During Karthigai Deepam, scores
of people light lamps in the temple including the steps of this great hillock.
Thai Poosam is celebrated at Pachaimalai with devotion
and grandeur. People from Pudupalayam and Modachur carried Kavadi of different
kinds. A massive Annadhanam was organized for all the devotees.
Special Days
Every Tuesday, New Moon day, Sankatahara Chathurthi
(Waning Period), Pradhosham, Full Moon day Girivalam, Waning Period Bhairavar
Poojai, Shashti and Kiruthigai are celebrated Based on reservation, Golden Chariot
runs around 7 PM
Panguni Uthiram Car (Chariot) Festival
Pachaimalai - Panguni Uthiram Car / Ther / Chariot
festival was celebrated with nearly 50,000 people attending the celebrations on
Wednesday alone. 10 groups of Kavadi Abhishekam was performed for the Lord.
Shanmugar was adorned with Pachai Saathi with lots of people presenting the
lord with Panneer (Rose water), Pachai cloth and Pachai garlands. Annadhanam
from early morning till late night was conducted by Balamurugan and Balakumaran
Arakkattalai separately. Later Thanga Ratham (Gold Chariot) was run around the
temple on the hill.
Skanda Shashti Soorasamharam festival
Pachaimalai - Skanda Sashti was celebrated with
usual pomp and geity. Subramanyar was on six day fasting along with his devoted
people at Pachaimalai. There was Shanmugar archanai on all six days and 'Thanga
Ther' (Golden Chariot) was run on all days.
Lord Subramanya took the 'Sakthivel' from
Maragadeeswarar and Maragadavalli amman. Soorasamharam was enacted in Gobi town
with Tharahasooran near Vengaiammal Elementary School, Bhanugopan at Padaiyachi
Mariamman temple, Singhamahasooran at Mettuvalavu and Soorapadman at Muthu
Velappar Street. Later Panneer Abishekam was done at the same location.
Vettrilai and Vaagai Maalai were presented to Lord to hail his victory over
evil. Later Lord Subramanyar went to Pachaimalai in his peacock mount.
Kalyanotsavam was performed to Lord Subramanyar
with Valli and Deivayanai at the Vasantha Mandapam of Pachaimalai. Lot of
devotees thronged the 'wedding'. Everyone were served lunch and the 'fasting'
devotees finish their fast.
Vaikaasi Visaagam festival
Pachaimalai - Vaikasi Visaaham was celebrated with
great devotion with Lakshaarchanai from June 2nd to June 4th. On Visaagam day,
Thaarabishekam was performed to the Lord with uncounted large quantities of
litres of milk. Later, Sathru Samhara Homam was performed. The sponsors for
Laksharchanai for each session were Thiru.Raveendra Nayar, Gobi, Thiru
S.Chandrasamy, Vinaayaga Finance, Gobi, Thiru. Mahendran, Modern Digital,
Pudupalayam, Gobi, Thiru. Bala- -subramanian & Friends, Kullampalayam,
Gobi, Thiru. Panneerselvam, Varalakshmi Granites, Gobi and Thiru. Krishnan
Jayanthi, Staff, TNSTC, Gobi. Let Lord give all the health and wealth for these
people.
Tharaabishekam and Sathru Samhara Homam was
sponsored by Senthan Kanthan, Pudupalayam, Gobi. Thanga Ratham (Golden Chariot)
and Gold Peacock Mount were run around the hill on all these days. Sunday, the
June 7th, witnessed more celebrations when Subramanya Kalyanotsavam was
performed. Annadhanam was performed on all the festival days
Guru and Sani Peyarchi special poojai
Pachaimalai - Guru Peyarchi 2009 is celebrated at
Guru Dhakshinamurthy Sannidhanam at Pachaimalai. Guru Peyarchi function was as
usual sponsored by Thottipalayam Thiru. Murugan. Guru's colour is Yellow.
Devotees worshipped Guru by offering yellow dhoti, towel and cloth, yellow
flowers like Thanga Arali and garland in Kondai Kadalai. Visit Pachaimalai for
perfect Guru Peyarchi celebrations
Karthigai Deepam Festival
Pachaimalai - Karthigai Deepam was celebrated at
Pachaimalai. Scores of people lit lamps in the temple, on the entire space
available in Pachaimalai. The steps of this great hillock were covered with
lamps. It was a beautiful scene one should definitely relish.
Bharani Deepam was lit in the Agni corner of the
Karuvarai. The light from the Bharani Deepam was then lit on the Garuda Kambam
near the Kadambam tree. With this the celebration attained the 'peak'. People
celebrated the Kiruthigai, Pournami by performing Girivalam and by attending
the Shanmugar Sahasranama Archanai. Later Golden Chariot was dragged by
Pournami Girivalam Bhakthar Kuzhu and Kiruthikai Bhakthar kuzhu. All devotees
were served with Prasadham. It is to record that Garuda Kambam is a concept
that can be seen only in Kongunadu.
Aippasi Annaabishekam Festival
Pachaimalai - Annabishekam was performed for Maragadeeswarar
at Pachaimalai with usual geity. As in all Shiva temples across the country,
annabishekam was performed in Pachaimalai also. Abishekam and Aradhanai were
performed for all the deities. Lots of people were served food.
Thai Poosam festival
Pachaimalai - Thaipusam (Thai Poosam) was
celebrated at Pachamalai with devotion and grandeur. People from Pudupalayam
and Modachur carried Kavadi of different kinds. A massive Annadhanam was
organised for all the devotees. Golden Chariot and Golden Peacock mount were
organised. On February 9th, Kalyanotsavam for Subramanyar and Valli Deivanai
was conducted. Lot of people thronged Pachamalai on both the days. Subramanyar
went around Gobi through Pudupalayam, Mettuvalavu, Padayachi Veedhi and Harijan
Colony. Let the Lord save all the people who celebrated this Kaumara and Tamil
festival of Thaipusam. Car festival (Ther) was celebrated at Pavalamalai
Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy Temple. and all Tamil, Saiva and Kaumara cult
festivals
Contact
Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Thirukkoil,
Pachaimalai,
Modachur,
Gobichettipalayam - 638476
Mobile: Dinesh Sivaacharyar - +919698235352
Renovation Committee
Thiru. P. K. Easwaran,
'Senthan Kanthan Illam'
29, Muthu
Velappar Street,
Pudupalayam,
Gobichettipalayam - 638476
Activities
In this temple, Annadhanam is the most important
activity. Basic necessities of human beings are food, clothes and shelter. Food
is required every day thrice. It would be great if devotees arrange some food
(as prasadam) for the fellow devotees who visit the temple. If someone comes
for a poojai, please ask the Sivachaaryar to arrange some prasadam. Pachaimalai
is one temple where there would always be some work (Thiruppani) going on.
Kindy check with the temple Sivachaaryar to explain about the same. There is a
permanent Renovation Committee Head Thiru.PK Eswaran who oversees the work.
Kindly present your donations to him.
Pachaimalai temple is not built by the rich. All
golden works are the small and humble donations of the poor. Golden Chariot,
Golden Peacock, Golden Attires, Golden Spears (Vel) are the donations of
hundreds and thousands of middle class and the developing class as 1gm, 2gms
and 5gms. Golden chariot is drawn on all major festivals by devotees forming a
team of around 10 to 20. Each member contributes a small amount of Rs.50 to
Rs.200 (on their capacity) and makes the golden chariot celebrations. Any
devotee can join one the festivities with a small contribution and pray the
Lord with complete satisfaction.
Connectivity
Pachaimalai is located 3Kms from Gobi town centre.
There are two ways to reach Pachaimalai from Gobi town: one from Modachur (Gobi
- Kunnathur Road) and another from Karattur (Erode - Sathy Main Road). As there
are no buses, one can hire an auto/taxi to reach Pachaimalai.
Pachaimalai is situated near Pudupalayam in the
outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. To
get there by road, reach Gobichettipalayam and
travel further 1 km to reach Pachaimalai. The temple is located on top of
a hillock which can be accessed by road or by foot from the base of the hill.
By rail, reach Erode (40 km)
and then travel by road via Gobichettipalayam.
The nearest airport is Coimbatore,
85 km away.