Thiruthani Murugan Temple – The Temple
Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Koil, Tiruthani is built in
Dravidian style of architecture. The beautiful temple of Lord Muruga at
Tiruthani crowns a single rock 700 feet above sea level. It is situated amidst
a range of hills with a dramatic panoramic view. The hill temple here is
reached by a Motorable road, and is also accessed through a flight of 365
steps.
It has 4 prakarams and a series of towers. There is a shrine to Aabat Sahaya
Vinayakar who is said to have come to the aid of Skanda in winning Valli's hand
in marriage.
The processional image of Skanda is housed in a
Rudraksha vimanam with his consorts. The shadkona padakkam or the hexagonal
medallion is adorning the image of Skanda is decorated with green stones and is
of great beauty. Also of significance here is a golden vilva garland.
The Kalhara Theertham created by Indira is on the
hill. Lord Muruga met and took Valli and married her in this
place. This is a beautiful Muruga temple with 365 steps. Though
traditionally devotees begin the worship in any temple with Vinayaka worship,
He, Aabath Sahaya Vinayaka (Vinayaka coming to rescue of the devotee when in
need) is worshipped at the last phase in this temple. There is also
a Vishnu Durga Temple in this place. This is an ancient
temple. The Vimana-roof tower- above the sanctum sanctorum has six petals.
We can notice a scar on the chest of the Lord caused by
his direct clash with the demon. In the place of peacock, there is elephant in
front of the sanctum sanctorum. The presiding deity of this temple
is Lord Subramanya Swamy (Lord Murugan), and the sanctum of Lord Murugan is made of 1 lakh Rudrakshas.
The other important deities of this temple are Lord
Shanmugha, Goddess Valli, and Goddess Deivayanai. Thiruthani temple is
also called by the names Purnagiri, Kshanikachalam, Mooladri, Neelothpala, Shantipuri (abode
of peace).
Among the six adobes of Lord Murugan, Thiruthani temple ranks leading because it is said
that he blesses with mental peace and happiness as Lord Murugan rested and cooled at this place after killing the
demon King Surapadma.
It is also said that when Lord Murugan married Goddess Deivayanai, daughter
of Lord Indra, the king of the gods. Lord Indra presented them
an elephant named as ‘Airavatham’ as a part of his dowry offerings. On the
departure of the elephant Airavatham, presented by the Lord Indra,
Lord Indra found that His wealth has been diminished. Upon this, Lord Murugan said to return
the elephant Airavatham to Lord Indra. But Lord Indra refused to accept it
and demanded that the elephant face his direction.
Hence the elephant Vahana is facing the opposite
direction (east) in this temple, while in other temples ‘Vahanas of the
deities’ faces towards the Lord in the sanctum. In this temple it can be
noticed that there is a scar on the chest of Lord Murugan, caused by the demon Tarakasuran on throwing
the discus on Murugan’s chest. And it is said that the discus is gifted
to Lord Vishnu.
Unlike other temples, Lord Murugan is not holding his Vel weapon in this
temple, instead he holds “Vajra Hastam” in his right and placing left hand on
the hip, which represents Gnana Shakti (Power of wisdom).
The Sura Samhara festival (festival of
destroying the demon Surapadma) celebrated grandly in all the Murugan temples
is not celebrated here, because Lord Murugan rested here to get peaceful mind without any
violence.
