Vellimalai Kumaraswamy Temple, Kumarakoil – Legends
Valli Kalyanam:
It is
said that Valli Kalyanam, Lord Muruga’s wedding with Valli, took place here. Many
believe that Nambi Rajan the adopted father of Valli was the ruler of the
place. It is also believed that this was the place where Valli played with
her friends while taking care of the Thinai – a crop – fields. People also
believe the place was the one where Lord Muruga stood as the Vengai tree for
Valli. Inference is being made by some people that Valli Kalyanam was
performed at Thiruthani.
Valli
Kalyanam is love marriage (Kantharva Kalyanam) and Deivanai did not attend it.
In Thiruthani, Muruga Peruman is alone and his two consorts are in separate
Sannidhanams. Kantha Puranam lines read as “venki uritha paramparan ma magan
vengai uru kolave” meaning, the great son of Lord Shiva disguised as Vengai
tree. Therefore, Vengai tree is inseparable part of Valli Kalyanam (marriage).
This evidence is present in Kumarakoil. Those being enough evidence to prove
that the Kantharva Kalyanam of Lord Muruga with Valli did take place at Kumara
Koil.
Enough
evidence is available to show that Valli was born and brought up at Veli Malai
where Kumarakoil situate. It is the Tamil tradition that the marriage ceremony
is celebrated at the bride’s place and the bride, after marriage shall go and
live with the groom’s family. Deivanai the first consort was married at
Thiruparankundram near Madurai after Soora Samharam at Tiruchendur. There in
the temple dedicated to Lord Muruga, the Lord is with Deivanai alone. Valli the
second consort of the Lord was married at Velimalai or Velvi Malai. This was
Love marriage (Kantharva Kalyanam).
Therefore,
Deivanai did not attend the marriage celebrations. As such, the goddess Valli
alone is with Subramanya in the holy temple dedicated to Lord Muruga at
Kumarakoil. Therefore, it is natural that the two marriage places are within
the ambit of the Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Veli Malai, or Velvi Malai or
Thenkadu or Earagam is Valli’s place and therefore as per tradition, after the
divine marriage, Valli Amman and Lord Muruga would have moved to another place,
probably Thiruthani, and settled there in disharmony with Deivanai, the first
consort of the Lord, who was angry on hearing the news about the marriage of
Muruga with Valli.
Therefore,
the two consorts are in two different Sannidhanams at Thiruthani. Later they
sorted out their differences when it was revealed that they were sisters in
their previous birth, and both are destined to marry the Lord as a reward for
their severe penance, and lived in harmony. Since Murugan married Valli here
and hence the name Vellimalai, Manamalai or Kalyanamala.
Goddess Valli connection with this place:
The
places connected with Valli viz, Valliyur, the capital from where Nambi Rajan
the step father ruled over the place, Valli Aaru (river), Valli Kugai (cave) in
the hill top. Kilavan Cholai, (connected with the disguised form as an old man
enacted by Lord Muruga) Valli Cholai (ravine), Valli Chunai (small water body)
the sacred place where Valli is believed to have taken bath, Uravar Padukalam,
connected with the war waged by the relatives of Valli against Lord Muruga, the
Vengai tree etc., are in and around Veli Malai. Lord Muruga has two consorts,
Deivanai and Valli. Valli the second consort of the Lord was married at
Velimalai or Velvi Malai. This was Love marriage (Kantharva Kalyanam).
Etymology:
There
are many versions as to how the hill derived its name Veli Malai. Vel was
the surname for the Ay rulers. The Ay kingdom was a medieval Hindu feudal
kingdom on the Malabar coast of South India. The hill that belonged to the Ay
rulers came to be called as Velimalai. It is also known as Velvi Malai since
Lord Murugan performed a yagna of sublime love, for the purpose of union of
jivatma with Paramatma.