Subramaniar Temple, Vilvarani, Chengam,
Thiruvannamalai
Subramaniar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located at Vilvarani Village near
Chengam in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is referred to as
Nakshatra temple (where the 27 stars and the Krittika maidens gather on
Krithigai to offer worship). The Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Swayambu
Sivasubramania Swamy temple is thronged by devotees, especially those seeking
parikaram from Rahu and Kethu. Vilvarani Murugan Temple is situated on the
Polur - Thiruvannamalai Highway.
Legends
Years
ago, there was a priest here performing pujas in many temples in this region.
He was using a horse to maintain his schedules and used to go to Tiruthani Muruga
Temple for worship on Kruthika star days each month along with an assistant
priest. On one such day, he could not go to Tiruthani due to some obstacle.
Both were very sad. Lord Muruga appeared in their dream when they were asleep
at night and told them that he was in the Nakshatra Hill in the form of a Naga
(snake) and directed them to erect a temple and conduct pujas on Kruthika Star
days.
Both
searched for the Swayambu idol in the particular hill and found a Linga guarded
by a snake. On seeing the two, the Naga became a statue as an umbrella over the
Lord’s head. The two priests erected a small tent and began the worship. In
course of time, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai idol was made and
installed. As the snake gave shade to Muruga as an umbrella, the idol was so
designed in the same way. Lord Muruga graces in the temple in the form of a
Swayambu Linga.
The
Temple
This is
a Hill Temple. There are 300 steps to reach the temple at the hill
top. Lord Muruga graces in the temple in Swayambulinga form. Generally,
the Linga form represents Lord Shiva only. To confirm and prove the theory that
Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga are but one, the presiding deity, Lord Subramania
also graces here in the form of Linga. Fire is Lord Shiva. The heat in the fire
is Mother Umadevi. The colour of the fire is Lord Ganapathi and the light is
Lord Muruga.
Substantiating
the theory that all these characteristics of fire are inseparable and that Lord
Shiva is Lord Muruga and Lord Muruga is Lord Shiva, the Shivalinga form is
worshipped in the temple as Lord Muruga Himself. It is also believed that all
the 27 stars and Kruthika maidens visit the temple on all Kirthika days to
worship Lord Muruga.
Referred
to as Nakshatra temple (where the 27 stars and the Krittika maidens gather on
Krithigai to offer worship) the Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Swayambu
Sivasubramania Swamy temple is thronged by devotees, especially those seeking
parikaram from Rahu and Kethu.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
All
monthly Kruthika days and the Kruthika in particular in the month of Aadi
(July-August) are festival days in the temple. 10 day Panguni Uthiram
(March-April) is very famous here when Lord Muruga comes down from the hills on
the fifth day. The car festival takes place on the seventh day. A car is
specially made for the festival at a cost of Rs. 16 lakhs.
Prayers
Those
facing adverse effects from the aspects of Rahu (Dragon’s tail) and Kethu
(Dragon’s head) worship Lord Muruga here for relief. Devotees offer abishek and
vastras (clothes) to the Lord.
Connectivity
Vilvarani
Murugan Temple is situated on the Polur – Thiruvannamalai Highway. Polur is 35
km from Thiruvannamalai and 45 km from Vellore. Bus facility is available from
both ends. From Polur, Vilvarani can be reached by bus bound to Chengam. The
temple is near the bus stop. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvannamalai
and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.