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