Saturday, March 24, 2018

Thalamalai Perumal Temple – The Temple

Thalamalai Perumal Temple – The Temple
Nallendra Perumal Temple / Thalamalai Perumal Temple / Thaana Valarntha (Suyambhu) Perumal Temple is perched atop the Thalamalai hill. This hill gets its name because it resembles the head of a person. This hill is also known as Siragiri. It spreads over a vast area nearly about 2664.32 hectares. The presiding deity of the temple is Nallendra Perumal, a form of Lord Vishnu. One can find shrines of Venkatachalapathy, Alarmelu Mangai Thayar, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Sri Devi, Bhudevi, Lord Anjaneya, Garudazhvar, and Karuppanna Swami.



If one takes a holy dip in the Kannimar Sunai and pray to Lord Nallendra Perumal, they would be void of the bad effects of Lord Saneeswara. This temple was built by Madurai Nayaks. There is a spring called Ramar Sunai with water flowing all the time. Thalamalai (altitude: 2400 to 2700 feet), which earned its name due to its resemblance to a human head, can be approached from three different points from the city.



The most commonly used track is from Neeliampatti village in Thathaiengarpet Block, favored for its less steep climb. Sanjeevi Puram near Elurpatti (Thottiyam Block) will lead to the peak of the hill where the temple is situated. The third route is from Vadavathur village from Erumaipatti Block of Namakkal District. It is not an easy climb, because of the harsh scrubland and the uneven track. Trekkers should try and make it up the hill before 9 a.m. to avoid harsh sunlight. It takes around 3 hours to trek the 4-km route up the mountain.



The trek is very hard with narrow pathways and steps, but it all seems worth the effort once you get a panoramic view of the city. Trekking lovers can experience adventurous and thrilling cliff climbing at Thalamalai Hills. The place is located away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, which makes it an ideal spot for relaxation. The hill is also getting famous for trekking activity.  It’s a favorite point for many in and around Trichy, especially students for whom trekking is their hobby.



It is always suggested to visit this temple on any Saturday when the temple on top is open, other days you might find the temple closed and priest may not be present. After the rains during December will be the ideal time to see varieties of plants grown up. Among the more unusual (or scary) sights here is that of devotees literally bracing themselves by their feet on a narrow outcrop of the temple’s outer wall to complete their rituals, unmindful of the sheer drop of 2000 feet below.



If Devotees start from the famous Neeliampatti Village route, following places are to be visited during trek;
1. Big Garuda at Entrance
2. Anjaneya Temple
3. Lakshmi Narayana and Bhoomi Devi Temple
4. Karuppanna Swamy temple on top
5. Ramar Sunai or Theertham
6. Anjaneya Temple at top
7. Krishna Temple, just before the main Perumal Temple on top
8. Sanjeevi Raya Perumal and Alarmelu Mangai Thayar
9. Thaana Valarntha Perumal / Nallendra Perumal / Arungal Nallaian, main deity
Kannimar Sunai, even if drought prevails the surroundings of Thalaimalai, Kannimar sunai never goes dry. It is believed that if one prays in all these temples, all their sufferings would cease.