Palani Murugan Temple – Saravana Poigai
Saravana Poigai is the name of a pool in the Himalayas,
from whose waters the divine child, Saravana Poigai Muruga, is believed to have
emerged. Hence he got the name Saravana Bhava. Saravana Poigai pools in Muruga
shrines are sources of redemption. Accumulated sins are thought to be destroyed
by a dip here. As fire consumes fuel, so too this sacred pool consumes the sins
of the wicked.
The Saravana Poigai at Thiru Aavinankudi has drawn
uncounted millions to its banks. It has a hoary tradition and a bath or at
least a symbolic use of its waters over your head is a prerequisite for
entering the sanctum sanctorum. Bath taps are provided at separate enclosures
for men and women.
Saravana Poigai is a Holy Theertham, where lot of
devotees taking holy bath every day. Separate bathing facilities are provided
for Gents and Ladies with dressing room. Devotees are allowed to take bath with
an entrance fee.
All the sacred pools here are named duly after Muruga.
And especially Saravana Poigai is very intimately connected with Muruga. It is
located just behind the temple of Aavinankudi; there are two rows of six stucco
niches. Paintings of Muruga being tended by six Karthikai maidens attract us.
Here too we have to pay a fee and get in.
It is not a pool but only a deep well. It must have been
a tank once. A square wall has been erected. In the south are the bathing
ghats. Several steps are submerged in the water. People in the past got down
through these steps and bathed. Now as that is not possible, the water is very
clean. Coins have been strewn into the water. This is an old custom and
persists. When people who travel by train cross the bridge of any sacred river,
they throw coins into it, thinking it is a holy act.
In the south-east is the Kshatriya Chaurav madam, and in
the south is a Vinayaga temple. Wherever there is a tank invariably there will
be a Pillayar Koil on the bank and here where his brother Muruga happens to
reside the elder brother is sure to abide. In the west side of the ghats is a
tub like structure half filled with water and Deity.
Dhandapani stands in the middle. We can bathe him by our
hands with the water around him. In the sanctum we cannot enter and perform
ablutions. But here there are no such restrictions. Here arrangements have been
made to bathe separately.