Subramanya Swamy Temple, Sivanmalai, Tiruppur

Sivanmalai Murugan Temple

Sivan malai Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, located on Sivanmalai hillock near Tirupur. The primary deity is Sri Subramaniaswamy. The temple houses a golden chariot Temple Car, which runs around the temple on the hillock. Sivanmalai (Sivanmalai) is situated on the State Highway between Kangayam and Tirupur, in Tirupur District at a distance of 5 kms from Kangayam or 24 kms from Tirupur.

Names of the Deity

Devotion to the deity manifests in many ways. One of them is giving the Lord new names in each era. Perhaps this is a sign of people’s love of the deity. It is also likely that poets and thinkers came up with new names as days went by, and found many ways to re-kindle the Bhakti of pilgrims. Here are the various names by which Sivamalai Murugan is known as : Kandaswami, Kangeyan, Guhan, Kumarar, Guruswami, Shanmukhan, Sivathrinathan, Saravanan, Sravanabavan, Sivasubramanaian, Sivachalan, Sivachalapathi, Sevalavan, Duraiswami, Maragathamayuran, Murugan, Murugayyan, Muthayyan, Vadivelan, Vallimanalan, Veluswami, Visakar, Velayudhan, Velan, and Kalyanasubramaniar.

History

The Sivanmalai of today is also known as Sivamamalai, Sivachalam, Sivathri, Sivasailam, Sivagiri, and Shakthi Sivamalai. The deity is so powerful because it is supposed to be an integrated embodiment of Siva, Vishnu, Brahama, Murugan, Vinayaka and Indra. In each “yuga” (the Hindu term to mean eon) Sivamalai has been referred to with special names. Panamalai. Vellimalai, Sembumalai, and now in the Kali yuga as Kamarupa Jothigiri. Such is the antiquity of this sacred mountain.

Origin of Sivanmalai

One of the well known myths associated with Siva is his conquest of Tripuram – the three celestial cities which the Asuras (demons) had taken over, and wreaked havoc over them. The Devas (celestial gods) appealed to Siva for help and asked him to save them from the demons. Siva made mount Meru his bow and Vasuki the serpent his bow-string and prepared to wage war against the Asuras. The very tip of Siva’s bow (Mount Meru) fell on earth and that became Sivamalai according to legend. It is also known as Sakthimalai because Parvathi the goddess did penance once on this hill.

The sage Agastya came to this mountain and performed penance in order to gain knowledge about the Agamas. He also created a natural spring on this mountain from the waters of the Ganga which he brought in his Kamandalam. It is said this miracle took place on Karthigai Pournami day (full moon in the month of Karthigai) and thus it is venerated by devotees as a special day.

Hanuman too prayed here after being directed to Sivamalai by the sage Vyasa. He was accorded as much power and strength as Vishnu-Narasimha after his penance in Sivamalai. Hanuman, it is believed, even carried flowers from the banks of the Ganga to worship at Sivamalai. Many miracles are said to have taken place in Sivamalai involving celestial beings like Indra whose kingdom was restored to him after a battle with the Asuras. Cursed by Agasthya, king Nakutan became a snake. Sage Dhurvasa asked him to pray to Sivamalai Murugan who restored his original form.

Murugan is said to have gone to Vallimalai on the advice of Narada and married Valli there and brought her to Sivamalai to make it their beloved abode. Like Parvathi in Kancipuram, Valli also did penance in Sivamalai, which included thirty two sacred duties. Later Murugan went to Tiruthani and brought his consort Devayanai also to reside with him in Sivamalai.

Innumerable Tamil Scholars have immortalized Sivamalai with their songs of praise. Sivamalai is featured in the Tiruppugazh, Sivamalai Puranam, Sivamalai Pillai Tamizh, Sivamalai Mayil Vidu Thoothu, Siva Thangaratha Sadakam and Thanipadal.

Holy Waters

Once upon a time the Chola king Muchukunda was afflicted by leprosy. He heard from the sage Gautama that he would be cured if he took a dip in the holy theertha(waters) of Sivamalai. He did so and was miraculously cured, giving credence to the sanctity of Sivamalai. The various theerthas are : Agasthya, Anuma, Indra, Brahmananda, Mangala and Veera theertha.

Beautiful landscapes and seasons have always inspired great Tamil poetry and songs. One of the ancient forms of dramatic poetry is the Kuravanji Natakam. The Sivamalai Kuravanji describes the beauty of this place. It says that it is a mountain covered with medicinal and curative herbs and other fauna. Thus it is not surprising that it attracts important visitors like Nadi and Siddha medicine men (Vaidhiyars). They have found medicinal herbs for conceiving children, and also making the aged young. Many incurable wounds, and scars left by weapons have been cured by these herbal remedies. Some creepers grown here are even used to tame wild animals. There is a special type of grass called “jothi pullu” which lights up in the dark. Remedies are also found for prolonging one’s youthfulness, and fertility.

Historical References

Saint Arunagirinathar

Arinagirinathar, was the greatest Murugabhaktar of Tamil Nadu. He lived in the 15th century when the best part of Tamilnadu was under the Nayak dynasty king Prabhudadeva Maharayar. This dynasty had its origins in Vijayanagar. Arunagirinathar visited many Murugan temples and sang his inimitable songs of praise about each deity. Collectively known as “ Thiruppugazh” these songs are hymns dear to the hearts of all Tamil people. What is more, Murugan temples which dot the landscape of Tamil Nadu are often regarded with greater esteem by people if they have been visited by Arunagirinathar, and if he has composed songs about that particular deity.

He is believed to have visited Kongu Nadu three times and sung his “thiruppugazh” in praise of sthalas of this region. The songs number more than thirty. The phrase which identifies Kongu Nadu in the songs is “ Kundru thoradal”. The two songs he sang in Sivamalai open with the words “ Karutha Kuzhaiani” and “ Kurumbai malachalam”. They end with the phrase “ Sivamalai kanda Perumale” and “ Sivamalai maruviya Perumale”. Although these songs have been published as part of the anthology of songs in praise of Pazhani ( 187, 188) the phrase “ Inai ili pulinagar valanda” establishes the geographical spot “ pulikkal medu” on the way to Sivamalai.

Saintly Women

The Tamil country can boast of innumerable women devotees who were regarded as saints. Some of more renowned are Mangayakarasi, Karaikkal Ammayar, Tilakavathi and Isaignani. Sivamalai too can boast of a woman saint. She was appropriately named Valli. A true devotee of Muruga. She grew her hair in long matted locks and lived in the temple. She served pilgrims, built wells and resting places for them, fed and stood for long hours in penance in front of the sanctum. She once pleaded with the Lord, "I am coming to Kailasa to get a darshan of you". The Lord heard her and told her to remain where she was at Sivamalai. He said “Amma Sadaichi, we will come to Sivamalai to appear in a vision to you”! Thereafter, she disappeared. In due course people heard her voice which told them that she had become one with God. Devotees later made a statue of her and placed it at the foot of the altar. Her praise is sung in the Sivamalai Kuravanji.

Poojas

Daily Poojas

The five special poojas that are conducted daily are called the AINDU KALA VISESHA POOJAKKAL. They are,

S.No	Poojai	Timing
1)	Vizha Pooja	06:00 A.M
2)	Kaala Sandhi Pooja	09:00 A.M
3)	Uchchi Kaala Pooja	12:00 Noon
4)	Sayaratchai Pooja	06:00 P.M
5)	Artha Samam Pooja	08:00 P.M

Monthly Poojas

Every month during Amavasai, Shasti, and Kiruthigai, special poojas are performed when devoties visit the temple in large numbers to seek the blessings of Sivamalai Andavar.

From time immemorial, the presiding deity of this temple has appeared in the dreams of the bhakthas and asked them to bring specific objects and keep it in the temple for special poojas. These are first placed in front of the “Moolavar” for his utharavu, and only then accepted. Within a few days thereafter, object related happening occur much to the astonishment of one and all.

Girivalam

The temple's Girivala Padhai extends to a distance of 2.5 kms. On every Pournami (Full Moon) day, hundreds of devotees start the Girivalam from the Pada Vinayagar Temple at the foot of the hills. A rest room with all facilities has been constructed at the 1.25 kms of the Padhai for the convenience of the participants. The entire stretch of the Girivala Padhai is black topped and well lit.

Charges for Poojas and Services

S.No	Poojas	Charges
1	Archanai Ticket	3.00
2	Coconut Ticket	2.00
3	Abisekam	50.00
4	Sakasranamam 1008 Namam	20.00
5	Thirusathai	10.00
6	Shanthi	75.00
7	Ear Piercing	50.00
8	Potli	10.00
9	Marriage	500.00
10	Two Wheeler Pooja	10.00
11	Four Wheeler Pooja	50.00
12	Telephone	2.00
13	Small Entrance	2.00
14	Special Entrance	10.00
15	Mudi Kaanikkai	10.00
16	Bus Donation	10.00
17	Golden Chariot	1500.00
18	Marriage Application Form	50.00
19	Kaalapooja	25.00
20	Function Time Special Entrance	25.00
21	Function Time Kalapooja Special Entrance	50.00
22	Upaya Varavu	--
23	Hill Road Toll - 2 wheeler	5.00
24	Hill Road Toll - 4 wheeler	20.00
25	Hill Road Toll - Commercial Vehicles	100.00

Festivals

The most important annual festival celebrated in this temple is the Thai Poosa Thiruvizah which lasts 18 days. Starting from Thai Poosam, Subramanya Swamy with his consorts 'Valli' and ' Deivanai', are taken around the temple on the Wooden Ther in the Ther Veedhi stretching over 3 kms. This journey lasts 3 days and thousands participate. During such festivities, several sections of people come forward in groups to give Annadhanam to the bhakthas who participate in their thousands, irrespective of caste or creed and social status. That all are equal before God is amply demonstrated during such annadhanams.

Kandha Shasti, Soorasamharam, Karthigai Deepam are the other important festivals that are celebrated grandly.

Thangaratham

» This attractive Thanga Ratham ( Golden Charriot) was built in the year 2000 at a cost of Rs 48 lakhs with 7750 gms of gold in a record time of 9 months.

» Thanga Ratham "Ula" ( journey) with Lord Murga and his consorts Valli and Deivanai takes place on the hill top around the temple in the evenings after 7 P.M.

» A sum of Rs.1,500/- is charged for this "Kattalai", and on any given day maximum only 5 Kattalais are permitted on a first come first served basis.

» As on 15th september 2009, total 2671 "Thanga Ratha Ula Kattalais" have been performed since 10th September 2000.

Services

Annadhanam

The Annadhanam scheme was started in the hill temple with the contribution of the bhaktas on the 23rd March, 2002. Under this scheme 100 persons are fed four course lunches every day of the year.

Those wanting to participate in this scheme can donate a sum of Rs 20,000 towards corpus fund and choose any day of their choice every year for giving annadhanam in their name or a one off contribution of Rs 2,000 for serving annadhanam on any one day of their choice.

Karunai Illam

The temple is running a Karunai Illam for destitute children from June 1997. Under this scheme, 25 children are being provided shelter, food and clothes, and sent to nearby schools for education. There is the need to extend the facilities provided to them including constructing a new residential block for this “Illam".

Those who wish to contribute may send their donations by Demand Draft / crossed cheque in favour of the Executive Officer of this temple.

Hill Road Transportation

Sivanmalai is well connected by road. State Transport Corporation's buses plying between Tirupur and Kangeyam call at Sivanmalai.

The temple has its own passenger vehicles to take the pilgrims to the hill top and back, from the foot of the hills at very reasonable charges. Such services are available once every 1/2 hour during festival days and at 1 hour intervals during non festival days.

Administration

The Executive Officer,

Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple,

Sivanmalai Post, Via Kangayam 638701,

Tirupur District. Tamilnadu.

Office: 04257 - 220680

Hill Temple: 04257 - 220630

Fax: 04257 - 223630

E-Mail ID: sivanmalaikovil@yahoo.com

Connectivity

Sivanmalai (Sivanmalai) is situated on the State Highway between Kangayam and Tirupur, in Tirupur District at a distance of 5 kms from Kangayam or 24 kms from Tirupur.

Nearest Railway Station:

• Tirupur (24 KMs)

• Coimbatore (85 KMs via Palladam), Erode (45 KMs via Arachalur)

• All Express and Trunk Route trains to the South pass through these two stations.

Nearest Airport:

• Coimbatore

• This airport is well connected to Chennai, Bangaluru, Mumbai, & Delhi