Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple, Thirunelveli
The Ayikudi
Balasubramanya Swami Temple is a small Hindu temple in the village of Ayikudi in Tenkasi Taluk
in Thirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. It is located on
the banks of Hanuman Nadi near Kuttralam. The place is called as Ariyar kudi
or Arya Kuti – 'the abode of noble people', popularly
known as Ayikudi. The temple is visited by pilgrims and tourists who come to
visit Kuttralam Falls, Kasi Vishwanathar Temple, Tenkasi and Tiruchendur.
Legends
On the
way in search of Sita Devi, Hanuman was very thirsty. He did not want to go in
search of water. It is believed that with the sharp edge of his tail he created
a Nadi (stream or a small river) and quenched his thirst. Hence the Nadi here
is called Hanuman Nadi. Sri Rama drank water from this Nadi and rested on its
banks. Since this temple and the Nadi are devoted to Lord Subramanya and
Sri Rama, the name Rama-Subramanian is a popular name given to
children born in this area. Rama Sita Anjaneya images are carved in the pillars
of this temple Mandapam.
A
devotee named Mallan at Nanjaipara found the main deity Idol of the temple in
the Mallam River. Once there lived a Brahmin Muruga Bhakthar sanyasi who obtained Samadhi in that area. His Samadhi was built on the shores
of Hanuman Nadhi. An Arasa Tree was planted at that place & his community
conducted pujas and ceremonies there. The idol of Bala Subramanya
that was found at Mallapuram was installed on the Samadhi of that Sanyasi and
the pujas were continued.
History
Until
1947 this area was in the realm of the Travancore Kings. Until 1931 the top of the temple was only
made of coconut and palm leaves. About 150 years ago the Travancore Royal
family took up the temple management. Then the temple was renovated and
festivals were organized.
The
Temple
The main
deity is a beautiful small moolavar moorthy of Balasubramanya
Swamy, also popularly known here as Rama Subramanya Swamy. Moolavar is with four hands. The
three hands illustrate shaktivaram, vajram and abhaya mudra while the fourth
hand holds a peacock and the lord sits on a lotus. He is believed to have been
found by a villager in the nearby Mallapuram Eri (irrigation
tank).
A
similar looking Utsavar Murthy of this temple is Muthukumaraswamy, standing
next to a peacock on a Padma peetam. Both the Moolavar & Utsava Moorthys are so beautiful that the darshan of
Karunamurthi Bala Muruga is a treat to all the bhaktas who visit
this temple. The shrine also houses Vishnu, Shiva, Ambikai, and Ganesha and
Aditya (Surya).
The
temple architecture is very unlike a typical Murugan temple with the standard
Tamil Nadu style of temple tower. Instead, it carries a Kerala style of
architecture and even the temple practices have a Kerala touch to it. This is
not surprising given its close proximity with the state. The Travancore
Royal family took up the temple management and the temple was renovated.
Pancha Vruksha:
Interestingly,
there are five Sthala Vrikshams for this temple: Arasa maram, Vembu maram
(neem), Kariveppilai maram, Madhulai maram and Maavilangu maram. Also, there is
a small river besides the temple. The river is called Hanuman Nadhi. The main
Moolavar Sannidhi is of Balasubramanya is located under the Pancha-Vrikshams.
Pancha Devas:
The
importance of this temple is that many Devatha are worshiped in this Sthala
(holy site). On the right side of the Moola Vigraha (main deity) are Mahadeva,
Mahavishnu, Ambikai, and Ganesha and on the left side of the Moolavar is Aditya (Surya) and these are the Pancha-Devatas of this temple. The
main Moolavar Sannidhi is of Balasubramanya is located under the Pancha-Vrikshams
and in the middle of the Pancha Devathas.
Pushkarani:
Earlier
days many pundits got down into the Hanuman Nadi and did ablutions in the
water. The water was used for ceremonies and ritual cleansing by devotees. The
sweet tasty water from this Nadi is believed to cure diseases and maladies and
gives complete wisdom and long life to the Bhaktas. The Padi Payasam Prasad used is made on the shores
from this water.
Festivals
Skanda
Shashti Soora Samhara festival, Chithirai Vishu, Vaikasi Visakam, Masi Makam, Thaipoosam
are special festivals of this temple. Each day of the Utsavam the Lord
is decorated differently and devotees attend the festivities. The lord is taken
on the Peacock on the streets as a procession around the temple. Hanuman Nadi
Padi Payasam, Palkudam, Kavadi are important forms of worship in this temple. This temple Arasa Ilai Vibhuti Prasadam
that is the holy ashes given folded in a pipal leaf is very popular and
auspicious.
Prayers
Devotees
believe that those who get the Dharshan and pray to this Balasubramanya will attain
prosperity. The temple is known for attaining Karya Siddhi or success in
endeavors and Pillaiperu or childbirth for bhaktas who visit and participate in
the pujas and sponsor the special offering of 'Hanuman Nadi Padi-Payasam'. The Arasa leaf Vibhuthi
Prasadham (Holy Ash) available in this temple is very powerful.
Padi
Payasam, Kavadi, Palkudam are some of the important ways in which the devotees
show their love to the Lord. According to legend, on the steps leading to the
Hanuman Nadhi Sri Bala Murugan takes payasam along with other children. The
Balasubramanya Moolavar Pujas were conducted in the traditional way by the
sangethi Brahmins and the Utsava pujas & processions were conducted by
Shivacharyas.
Contact
Sri Balasubramanya
Swami Temple,
Ayikudi
P.O, Tenkasi Taluk,
Thirunelveli
- 627 852
Phone: +91 – 4633 – 267636
Connectivity
Sri Ayikudi
Balasubramanya Swamy Temple is a small temple situated in the village of
Ayikudi on the banks of Hanuman River. The Temple is located at a distance of 1
km from Ayikudi Bus Stop, 7 kms Tenkasi, 12 kms from Courtrallam and 60 kms
from Thirunelveli. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi. Nearest
Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.