Chennimalai Murugan Temple, Perunthurai – The Temple
This temple is situated at
about 600 meters above sea level and this hill is noted for its natural flora
and fauna. This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. This
hill is called as Siragiri, Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, Chenniyangiri and Chennimalai.
The city underneath the hill is also called Chennimalai. The temple of
Chennimalai is situated on the banks of Noyyal also called Kanchima Nadhi. The
hill is replete with shrines, mandapams and Theerthams (tanks) all associated
with interesting legends.
Enroute to the main temple are
temples to Indra Vinayakar, Sengazhuneer Pillaiyar and Aadi Vinayakar. Near
the Sengazhuneer Pillaiyar temple are the Markandeya Theertham and
the Kumara Theertham. There are also shrines to Kadambavaneswarar, Skanda and
Idumban enroute to the main shrine. There is also a shrine to the guardian
deity Malaikkaavalar - Muthukumara Saavan bearing two swords, in the posture of
guarding the hill. There is a tree enroute, known as the Turatti tree,
said to be capable of warding off evil influences.
This is an east facing temple
with 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple has single prakaram. Presiding Deity is
called as Siragiri Dhandayuthapani. He is housed in the sanctum. The Sanctum
Sanctorum faces the east. Presiding Deity is an unfinished one. The main deity
Murugan is equated to the Sevvai graham or planet Mars and all the rest of the
eight planets encircle the Lord in perfect harmony. If one circumambulates the
main deity he is believed to get the benefit of circumambulating the Navagrahas
and worshipping them.
In front of the sanctum is the
Ardhamandapam, and immediately in front if it is the Mahamandapam. The
Mahamandapam enshrines a festival image of Muthukumara Subramaniyar with his
two consorts Valli and Deivanai and is facing south. There are steps leading to
the temple of Valli and Deivanai, consorts of Lord Murugan behind the sanctum. Sri
Valli and Sri Deivanai, both in one stone, in a separate temple is a unique
speciality.
There is a shrine for Markandeswarar
to the right side of the sanctum and a shrine for Imayavalli to the left side
of the sanctum. The Shrine of Markandeswarar enshrines Shiva is facing east and
Shrine of Imayavalli is facing south. Also, shrines for Vishwanathar and
Visalakshi can be found on the left side of the sanctum. The Shrine of
Viswanathar enshrines Shiva is facing east and the Ardhamandapam in front of it
enshrines his consort Visalakshi is facing south. There is a shrine for
Vinayagar called Puliyadi Vinayagar, located just in front
of the temple.
Pinnakku Siddhar Cave:
Pinnakku Siddhar, one of the
18 Tamil Siddhar is believed to have lived here. There is also a cave on the
top of the hill here, considered to be the abode of Pinnakku Siddhar. The front
yard of the cave is filled with Vel of different sizes and shapes. This cave is
said to have an underground passage leading to the Bhoga Siddhar cave in Palani malai. Near this cave,
Jeeva Samadhi of Saravana Mamunivar can be found. There is
also another very ancient cave near this temple.
Theerthams:
Mamanga Theertham:
This spring is on the
southwestern slope of Chennimalai just opposite the Vinayagar shrine. Once in
twelve years, during drought conditions a spring gushes out water. This spring
is on the southern side of the hill temple. This is a rare phenomenon. The Vinayagar
near the spring called Mamanga Theertha Vinayagar. The people worship this
Vinayagar
and the holy springs with great Devotion.
Kandu Kanach Sunai:
This spring can be seen only
by yogis and saints (reference Verse 27 Siragiri Manmiyam).
Subramanya Theertham:
This is found on the northern
side of foothill. This is also called Saravanapoikai / Kumara Theertham.
Saravana Munivar established this city on banks of this spring (Alayam
Kanda Manmiyam
verse 11).
Other Theerthams:
There are 24 Holy Waters
located around Chennimalai. They are;
1.
Indra
Theertham.
2.
Agni
Theertham.
3.
Imaya
Theertham.
4.
Nirudhi
Theertham.
5.
Varuna
Theertham.
6.
Vayu
Theertham.
7.
Kubera
Theertham.
8.
Eesana
Theertham.
9.
Kasi
Theertham.
10.
Patchi
Theertham.
11.
Mamanga
Theertham.
12.
Agasthya
Theertham.
13.
Sanbaga
Theertham.
14.
Saamundi
Theertham.
15.
Krithika
Theertham.
16.
Markandeya
Theertham.
17.
Varadi
Theertham.
18.
Kali
Theertham.
19.
Nava
Veera Theertham.
20.
Saradambika
Theertham.
21.
Devi
Theertham.
22.
Nedumaal
Theertham.
23.
Brahma
Theertham.
24.
Subramanya
Theertham.
Sthala Vriksham:
Sthala Vriksham is tamarind
tree and is found in front of the temple where there is a shrine for
Puliamarathadi Vinayagar.
Inscriptions:
There is an inscription in the
Mandapam built by Vettuvappalayam Velan Thambiran in the foothills of the
temple. This gives information on the offering made by Murungai Perunthozhuvar
to Lord Murugan during the reign of Kumara Varma Sundara Pandiyan. There is
also an inscription on the left side of the entrance of the sanctum. This
inscription was dated to Kaliyuga year 1641. This may be approximately 357
years old. There is another 600 years old inscription and according to that inscription,
this place is called as Pidariyur.
Go Shala:
There is a Go Shala being
maintained by the temple. One cow for Go-Puja and 3 Bulls for carrying
‘Moolavar Abhisheka Vastu’ are being reared. There is one Go-Shala at the Hill
top and the foot hill. The holy water for Abishekam is being brought everyday
by the temple bulls, which are being maintained by the Devasthanam. This
procedure is also a very unique one not found in other temples.
Facilities:
Chennimalai Devasthanam has
made some arrangement towards rest houses for the visiting devotees. At the
foot hills, arrangements have been made to offer ‘Mudi Kanikkai’ i.e.,
Tonsuring of head. Adequate bathing facilities are also available.