Palaniyappar Temple, Belukurichi, Namakkal
Palaniyappar
temple is a small temple dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located in Belukurichi
village in Namakkal District. It is said that several kings have visited this
temple. The Idol of the Lord Murugan in this temple is in the form of hunter
where his hair knotted at top of his head. This is the place where Lord Muruga disguised himself as a handsome hunter youth to
lure and marry Valli. This temple is well known because of its unique idol
of Murugan with Cheval in his hand, Vajra vel, Pichuva kathi in his waist band
and wearing sandals. It is about 28 km positioned on Namakkal – Sendamangalam –
Rasipuram road and takes about 75 minutes to reach from Namakkal City.
Belukurichi is
a small village located in Namakkal
district in the southern
state of Tamilnadu, India. The village is right below Kolli
Hills. The name Belukurichi has
its root from 'Velavan Kurinji', meaning the land and hills that belong to
Velavan (Murugan) known as Palaniyappar. It is also said that the Tamil
saint poetess, Avvaiyar whenever visited her friend, Valvil Ori, the then chieftain of the Kolli hills, never left the region without offering her
prayers to this Lord Muruga.
The
Temple
Lord
Muruga here is in the form of a hunter called the 'Veduvan Kolam'. The idol is
found with his hair knotted atop his head and a string of Kondrai
flowers (Golden shower) are found etched around it. The idol of Lord Murugan in
this temple is swayambu or said to have formed by its own. Three lines of sacred
ash with a spear (Vel) in the middle are found on the forehead of the deity.
This symbolizes a union of Shiva and Shakthi. A string of golden shower flowers
are also found tied around his waist, from where hangs a dagger.
In his
right hand he holds the Vajra vel or the sacred lance. This idol has got a unique feature wherein Lord
Muruga holds a rooster (Cheval) in his left hand though resting on his
hip. The Lord is facing west. This kind of a Muruga statue or idol holding a rooster is nowhere to be found in the world except this
temple. However, similar Muruga idols can be seen in temples like Sikkal etc. which are not the 'Moolavar' or at the
Sanctum Sanctorum.
The Lord
is also depicted as wearing sandals in his feet which is another
unique feature (This is also seen in Sikkal). The deity here in Belukurichi is said to have been
created by Bhogar much ahead of the one in Palani, from the Pashanams of Kolli
hills and hence the Lord is called Palani Appa (the one that came before
Palani). Usually, when deities are depicted holding weapons, the height of the
weapon does not exceed the height of the deity. However, here we find that the
spear is shown taller than the deity. Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma have
bestowed their powers to the Lord through the spear, which is depicting having
three parts denoting each of them.
Due to
this, the spear is shown taller than the deity himself. A Shiva lingam has been
etched above the entrance of the sanctum. On the ceiling of the Artha Mandapa,
two snakes have been depicted swallowing the Sun and the Moon. Meditating
on the Lord, sitting on a green stone right under these snakes, is said to
answer genuine prayers. The Tiruchengode hill where Lord Shiva and Parvathi are
found as Ardhanareeswara can be seen at eye level from the head of the peacock
found in the Maha Mandapa.
It seems
as though Shiva and Shakthi are watching over the son who has been created with
both their features, right from their abode. The temple is said to have been
built originally by Valvil Ori, who ruled this region around 200 CE. He was one
of the seven philanthropists mentioned in Sanga Literature. Tales of his valour
are being sung as part of folk lore even today. A statue of Valvil Ori is found
at the entrance of the temple complex. Poet Avvaiyaar has also worshipped the
deity here. There are shrines for Ganesha, Goddess Kumarinayaki, Vishnu,
Krishna, Nagas and Shani.
On full
moon days, thousands of people gather here to witness the midnight worship. It
is believed that the eighteen Siddhars come here to worship him at that time.
The Abhishekam and Alankarams are all completed by 11.50 pm and the doors of
the sanctum are closed and all the devotees move outside to wait. At the stroke
of midnight, the doors are opened. Signs of puja having been performed and
visible signs of changes in the Alankaram are witnessed to this day. Once the Abhishekam
is complete, sweat emanates from the deity's tip of the nose, chin and chest
with three different fragrances.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm. On full moon days, the temple is open from 8
am in the morning till 5 am the next morning.
Festivals
Kanda
Shasti festival which begins today is celebrated with great festivity apart
from Thai poosam, Panguni Uthiram and Krithigai. Thaipusam is a very elaborate festival here which is
celebrated with big pomp and show. With more devotees turning up every year,
the highlight is the temple car.
Special
Pooja's will be performed during New year in January, Thai Poosam, Panguni
Uttiram, Chitra Pournami, Agni Nakshatram, Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Perukku, Aadi
Krithigai, Tamil New year in April (Chithirai), Aadi - 18 in August, Vijayadasami,
Karthigai Dheepam in December, Special poojas in full month of Margali,
Amavasai, Pournami, etc.
Prayers
People
after bathing in Yaanai Paali theertham pray to lord Muruga here for getting
remedy from skin allergies, bone problems and childless problems. People who
practice yogasana can pray this lord Muruga to get excellent results. During Tamil
month of Chithirai, special pooja is conducted as it is believed Siddhars
worship lord Muruga here on that day.
Contact
Sri Palaniyappar
Temple,
Belukurichi,
Sendamangalam
Namakkal
District
Phone: +91 – 95244 49931
Connectivity
Belukurichi
is about 25 kilometres from Namakkal. On the Namakkal - Tiruchengode route,
Belukurichi is about 13 kms from Sendamangalam.
