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.
