Thiruthani Murugan Temple – Greatness of Temple
Lord Muruga is not holding the Vel weapon which is
closely associated with him, but Vajra Hastam in his right hand that would
produce a sound as thunder. His left hand is on the hip representing
wisdom. Only during dressings (Alankara) Vel and Cock Flag are
placed with him according to tradition. There are separate shrines
for Valli and Deivanai. Pujas in the temple are performed in
accordance with Kumara Tantra Agama order.
The festival Sura Samhara – destroying demon Sura in Thiruchendur
being celebrated in all Murugan temples on Skanda Sashti day in
October-November is not followed here, because the Lord is in pleasant mood
without war plans. After destroying the demon, He came to Tiruthani with
victorious and happy mood. Therefore, the war festival is not
celebrated here. Instead, on this day, flowers weighing 1000
Kilograms are used to please the Lord.
In the place of peacock, the elephant is the vahana-vehicle
for Muruga which also against tradition of facing the Lord’s shrine faces the
opposite side. The story goes like this. As Indira had
offered Iravadham the white elephant as the wedding gift to Deivanai, the
prosperity of Deva world began to shrink. Indira prayed to Lord
Muruga to allow the elephant in the shrine to turn the other side so that its
aspect on Deva Loka would help the growth of prosperity in his
kingdom. Lord Muruga gracefully obliged. Hence, the
elephant faces the other side.
Gajavalli:
Daughters of Lord Vishnu, Amudavalli and Sundaravalli
performed penance seeking Lord Muruga’s hands. Deivanai was under
the care of Indira while Nambirajan took care of Valli. They
realized their aim and became consorts of Lord Muruga. They wished
to show that they were one and took the form of Gajavalli. Gajavalli holds
the Lotus in her right hand attributed to Valli and the Neelothpala flower in
the left representing Deivanai. She graces from her parrot
vehicle.
Curative
feature of Sandal Paste:
The sandal paste used in Muruga worship in Tiruthani has
a divine significance. It is not ground on the stone we usually use but
the one gifted by Devendra. Devotees do not put this sandal Prasad
on their forehead but dissolve in water and consume it as it is believed that
would cure them from any disease. This Prasad is offered only on festival
days.
Aadi Kiruthikai:
It is believed that Indira worshipped here on the
Kruthika star day in the month of Aadi-July-August. This is a three
day celebration in the temple. Lord Muruga comes in procession to the sacred
spring Saravana Poigai at the foot of the hill. As Indira used the
Kalhara flowers for his puja, the tradition of carrying Malar Kavadi – flower
Kavadi is devotionally followed by the devotees in the temple.
Abishekam
with hot water:
Sri Aadhi Balasubramania graces on the wall behind the
sanctum sanctorum as a child. He was the Lord with Akshara Mala and
a Kamandalam (a small pot with a handle to carry water usually held by Gods and
Sages) before his wedding with Valli. In the month of Margazhi
(December-January) abishekam is performed with hot water as this is the winter
season. Devotees cannot see their Child Lord trembling with cold; hence bathe him
in hot water.
Puja to
steps on New Year day:
This is a temple with 365 steps representing the days of
the year. During the British rule, people use to greet their white
rulers on the New Year day. Using this custom to turn people to the
spiritual side, Muruga devotee Sri Vallimalai Swamigal began Padi Puja
(worshipping the steps) in the year 1917. On the previous night,
each step would be washed and adored with turmeric and kumkum offering Arati
with camphor singing a Thirupugazh hymn. After Puja to the steps,
special pujas are performed to Lord Muruga at 12.00 midnight.
Bhairava
with four dogs:
Lord Bhairava graces in temple with 4 dogs vehicle
representing 4 Vedas. He is seen with two dogs in some
temples. Here, Bhairava has four dogs representing the four Vedas,
Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana. While one dog is behind Bhairava,
other three are around the Peeta. Those aspiring to achieve academic excellence
pray here. Deivanai wedding festival is celebrated during the
Chithirai (April-May) Brahmotsavam and Valli wedding festival in Masi (February-March).
Lord
gracing in different Vahanas:
During the final puja at night, Lord Muruga graces with
Valli on a day and Deivanai the next day. As Lord Muruga wedded
Valli in the guise of a hunter, He graces on a Tiger Vahana on the sixth day of
Brahmotsavam and then on the Elephant Vahana.
Muslim
playing Drum in the Temple Procession:
A Muslim gentleman had the luck of being graced by Lord
Muruga in this temple. Remembering the event, during festival days, when
the Lord comes in procession, a Muslim devotee plays the drum even
today.