Sri Subramaniaswamy Temple, Thirumalaikeni, Dindigul
Sri Subramaniaswamy temple is located in the city of
Thirumalaikeni, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu and is about 500-1000 years old. The
Temple is situated at a distance of 25 kms from Dindigul on the way to
Senthurai, where Lord Muruga blesses his devotees. It is situated on the top of
a hill in the midst of thick flora and fauna.
Peacock and monkeys engage the children who visit the
temple. The spring water is tasty and is available in hot, cold and normal
temperature at various places with in the temple which surprises the devotees.
Buses are available from Dindigul. Private cars and vans are the other modes of
transport. The place can also be approached from Natham.
Legends
A king belonging to the Pandya dynasty had the desire of
building a temple for Lord Muruga. While he was here on hunting and resting
after drinking the water from a spring, he fell asleep. Lord Muruga appeared in
his dream and directed him to build the temple here. Accordingly, the old and
first temple came into being.
Greatness of Temple
Dressed as a king:
Lord Balamurugan in the upper temple always appears in
his royal attire known as Raja Alankaram. It is the faith of the devotees that
seeing the Lord in the Royal form would ensure high position and leadership in
life. The consorts of Muruga, Valli and Deivanai are not by the side of the
Lord but grace in the form of the holy springs.
Kil Palani:
Generally, devotees go up on the steps to have the
darshan of the Lord in hill temples. Here, people step down to reach the Lord.
Devotees call this temple Kilpalani (Palani downward). During the 7 day Skanda
Sashti festival, Surasamharam (killing the demon Surapadma) takes place on the
sixth day followed by Valli-Deivanai wedding festival on the seventh day.
Speciality
This Murugan temple is built in such a way those
devotees have to go down to worship lord Muruga. Maunaguru Swamigal Adhistanam
is situated near by this temple. Milk abhishegam, Santhana kappu, Viboothi abhishegam
are conducted by devotees as people who want higher position in office pray to
lord Murugan who is always in raja Alangaram.
The Temple
It is a two tier temple with a Muruga shrine at the
ground and one at the top of the hill. : This is a two tier temple in the midst
of dense forests. The idol of the presiding deity was damaged in days of yore
and the temple too became dilapidated. Regular pujas came to an end. Sri
Kripanandavariar took up the renovation of the temple in the year 1979. A new
idol was made for the presiding deity. But the old idol could not be removed.
Therefore, a Mandap was built where the old idol was installed while a temple above
this was built installing the new idol. Thus, it became a two tier temple with
deities installed in each.
The two temples are constructed with high engineering
skill that the water used for the Abhishekam of the Lord in the upper level
will fall on the Lord in the Ground too through a hole specially made for the
purpose.
Shakthi Vinayaka shrine is in the corridor of the
temple. Saint Pattinathar appears under the mango tree in the temple. The
Adhishtanam (Samadhi) of His Holiness Maunaguru Swamigal is near the temple.
Valli Theertham is in the middle of the hill in the form
of a well, hence the place is known as Malaikeni- a spring the hill. The
specialty is the spring, the source of which could not be traced.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00
p.m. to 6.00 p.m
Festivals
Chitra Poornima in the month of April-May, Vaikasi
Visakam (May-June), Kruthika in Aadi (July-August) and Karthigai
(November-December),Skanda Sashti in Iyppasi ((October-November),
Thirukarthigai (November-December) and Thai Poosam (January-February).
Prayers
Those aspire for prestigious and leadership positions in
jobs pray to Lord Muruga in the temple. Also those facing problems in marriage
alliances and seeking a child pray in the temple.
Contact
Shri Subramaniaswamy Temple,
Thirumalaikeni - 624 306,
Sengurichi Post, Dindigul district.
Phone: +91- 451 - 205 0260
Mobile: 96268 21366
Connectivity
The temple is 23 km from Dindigul. Bus facilities are
available conveniently. Nearest Railway Station is located at Dindigul
& Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
