Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Kozhundhu Malai, Thirunelveli

Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Kozhundhu Malai, Thirunelveli

Balasubramanya Swamy Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Murugan located at Kozhundhu Malai in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The temple is on a hill to the South of Cheranmahadevi in the Panagudi road.

Legends

Murugan darshan to a devotee in Balaka form:

Lord Tiruchendur Muruga appeared in the dream of a devotee then living in this place and directed him to perform his penance in Kozhundhu Mamalai. The devotee, taking the command of Lord reached this place, worshipped Lord Muruga for a long time and had his darshan as a Balaka – infant. A temple came into being in this place later. 

When Indrajit applied the Nagasthira – a bow targeting the enemies with snake mantras – all the monkey army including Lakshmana fell swooned. Hanuman immediately set out to bring the herbals from the mount in North. As he could not find the herbal plants, to avoid delay, he simply took off the very Sanjeevi Mount from its base and flew to Lanka. Some parts of the mount fell in many places and this is one of such hills with rich herbal properties. Hence, the name of the place is Kozhundhu – green herbal leaves – Mamalai – hill, Kozhundhu Mamalai. 

The Temple

Lord Muruga grants darshan to devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in standing posture. He is holding weapons in the upper hands and the lower two are blessing the devotees with his Vel – the leaf shaped spear – in the right. As Lord is in his infant form, He is praised as Bala Subramanya. As the temple is near the hill (Malai in Tamil), people call this Malai Koil. Koil means temple. Lord Vinayaka graces from his own separate shrine.

There is a shrine for Idumban the custodian deity in the southeast of the temple. Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi and Mother Gangai Amman bless the devotees from their shrines southeast of Idumban shrine. There is a small well in the northeast corner of the temple. During the monsoon, water overflows in the well tasting very deliciously as green coconut. Hence, it is called Ilaneer Kinaru – green coconut well. 

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Poojas

Special abishekams and pujas are dedicated to Lord Balasubramanya on the last Friday of each Tamil month. On these days the temple is open throughout the day. Lord will be in his alluring best. Devotees undertake special fasting on this day – Shukrawar. They continue this worship on every last Friday of the month for wedding, child and job boons.

Festivals

Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November; Tirukarthikai in November-December; Panguni Uthiram in March-April and Vaikasi Visakam in May-June are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

Devotees pray here on the last Friday of each Tamil month continuously for six months for wedding, child and job boons. Devotees do the cheek boring on both sides called Alagu Kuthal, carry Kavadis and perform abishek to Lord Muruga.

Contact

Sri Balasubramanya Temple,

Kozhundhu Mamalai,

Cheranmahadevi, Thirunelveli District

Mobile: +91 93600 98318

Connectivity

Cheranmahadevi is 19 kms far from Thirunelveli. Kozhundhu Mamalai is 2 kms from Cheran Mahadevi on the Kalakkad road. Bus facility is available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thirunelveli. Nearest Airport is located at Thoothukudi and Thiruvananthapuram.