Bala Subramanya Temple, Alavaipatty, Namakkal
Bala Subramanya Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located at Alavaipatty Village near
Rasipuram in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu. This Murugan Temple is located
atop the hill with 1500 steps. Alavaimalai is part of eastern Ghats.
Etymology
The name Alavaimalai is
derived from Tamil language. Alavaimalai - Arai-அரை+Vazhi-வழி+Malai-மலை. That is Arai-Half,
Vazhi-Way, Malai-Hill.
Legends
Siddhars, in invisible form are
considered to worship the Lord here.
The
Temple
This is a hill temple with
1500 steps spreading 2 Kms distance. The Temple is facing west. Presiding Deity
is called as Ekambaranathar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. Mother is called as
Kamakshi Amman. Though the presiding deity is Lord Shiva, the Temple is famous
for Lord Murugan. Bala Subramanyar is present in a separate shrine.
The Ekambaranathar Temple
at the foothills is surrounded by a fortress like walls. The festival image of
the hill temple is housed in this temple. Sthala Vrikshams are Ilandhai and
Vilvam. There are inscriptions on the hill referencing Poymaankaradu a hillock
nearby, where an illusionary figure of a deer appears, thanks to the play of
light and the shaping of the rocks.
Festivals
Karthikai Somavaram and
Panguni Uthiram are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.
Singers
Saint Arunagirinathar had sung
his Thirupugazh Hymns on Lord Murugan of this Temple.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
12 Kms from Rasipuram Old Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Rasipuram New Bus Stand, 15
Kms from Rasipuram Railway Station, 16 Kms from Rasipuram, 28 Kms from Salem,
38 Kms from Namakkal, 34 Kms from Tiruchengode, 46 Kms from Salem Airport and
131 Kms from Trichy Airport.