Thoranamalai Murugan Temple, Thirunelveli
Thoranamalai
Murugan Temple is located in Thoranamalai Hills in Thirunelveli District of
Tamilnadu. Thoranamalai is located very near to Courtrallam. It is located on
Tenkasi to Kadayam Route. This is a highly popular temple on a hilltop in a
beautiful location. The temple’s speciality being that there are 60 natural
water springs (sunai) around the Hill.
Legends
Thoranamalai
looks like an elephant; hence it is called as Vaarana Malai. It was believed
that Agasthiyar stayed here and did research on medicines. Also his disciple
Theraiyar attained Jeeva Samadhi here. It was believed that Lord Rama visited
here and worshipped Agasthya. People believe that Siddhars come and worship
this hill in formless form.
The
Temple
The
temple is situated just in midst of a rocky plain fully covered by iron grills.
(Iron grills might have built to protect the temple from the monkeys). It is a
very good treat to eyes to see the surroundings and the sceneries. Murugan is
enshrined in this hill in a cave at the top of the hill. The way from the
downhill to hill top is full of greenery. Lord Vinayaka Temple at the Foot Hill
marks the path to hill top Murugan temple. There was another Murugan Temple at
the downhill.
There
was an entrance arch for this temple at the downhill. Shrines of Vallabha Vinayaka,
Navagraha, Guru Bhagavan, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Sapthakannis, Kannimaramman
and Nagars can be seen in the Murugan Temple located at downhill. There are 926
Steps to reach the hill temple. There are herbal plants all along the way to
the hill temple. Take care of elders and children as the path to hill temple is
rugged.
Murugan
at the hill temple (Cave) is facing east. Mahakavi Bharathiyar had praised this
Murugan as “Kugaikul Vaazhum Kugane”. There are 64 Sunais (springs) in
Thoranamalai. There are 2 Sunais (springs) located at Downhill. It is believed
that if devotees take bath in these springs will cure their Skin Disease.
Water
will be available in these springs during peak summer also. Waters of these
springs tastes different with each spring and has medicinal values. The Mother
Nature around is preserved at its best around the temple. The Foot hill has
nice well maintained park.
Poojas
& Festivals
Uchi Kala
Pooja is conducted every day in the hill temple. Thaipoosam, Vaikasi Visakam
and Last Friday of Tamil Month are celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare.
Prayers
Devotees
pray for removal of obstacles in marriage efforts, remedy from illness, child boon,
trade development, family prosperity.
Connectivity
Thoranamalai
is located very near to Courtrallam. It is located on Tenkasi to Kadayam Route.
Thoranamalai is located about 9 kms North-West of Kadayam, 15 Kms from Tenkasi,
16 Kms from Courtrallam, 23 Kms from Sengottai, 60 Kms from Thirunelveli, 178
Kms from Madurai and 125 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.
