Saturday, December 8, 2018

Mandhiragiri Velayudha Swamy Temple, Senjerimalai, Coimbatore

Mandhiragiri Velayudha Swamy Temple, Senjerimalai, Coimbatore
Mandhiragiri Velayudha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located at Senjerimalai in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Manthrachalamurthy / Dhandayuthapani / Velayudha Swamy.  This is a Hillock Temple for Lord Murugan and the Hill is called as Mandhiragiri.


Legends
Lord Murugan was created to destroy Surapadman, the demon king who was harassing the Devas.  Before Murugan started his journey for the war, Parvati wanted him to be instructed on Satrusamhara Mantra by Lord Shiva. When Murugan approached his father, he told him that it could be done only after severe penance and it must be done at a place where the Four Vedas are present in the form of Kadamba Tree, Ganga Water, Dharbai and shrine where Mahavishnu got Shiva Deeksha.


Lord Murugan came to the earth and started searching for the place with all these characteristics.  He found them in Senjerimalai – Kadamba tree, Dharbai, Ganga water in the form of Gnana Theertha Chunai and Chinnamalai where Mahavishnu got Shiva Deeksha, all of which are in a straight line and nearby each other.  He did penance here and after being fully satisfied, Shiva instructed the Mantra and also conferred the invincible powers.  Since the Mantra was administered here, it became Mandhiragiri. Since the temple precedes even the Surasamharam, it is called Adi Padai Veedu.


History
This temple was originally built by Karikala Chola and renovated by Veera Ballala III during 13th Century AD.


The Temple
This Temple is located in a small hillock. Presiding Deity is called as Manthrachalamurthy / Dhandayuthapani / Velayudha Swamy.  Lord Velayudham graces with his 12 hands, holding a flag with Cock symbol and also a Cock in his left hand. Utsavar is Muthukumarar. The speciality in the temple is that Lord Vishnu graces with a Shivalinga in in his right hand. The Navagraha shrine has Sun God facing west with other planets facing him.


Sayiloka Theertham, Gnana Theertha Sunai, Saraswathi Theertham, Lakshmi Theertham, Brahmma Theertham, Kanar Sunai and Valli Theertham are the Theerthams associated with this Temple. There is a spring on this hillock which is perennial and does not dry up even in summer. Sthala Vriksham is Kadamba Tree (Neolamarckia Cadamba).


Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Pooja Timings
Pooja
Timings
Morning 7 A.M
Temple Opening
Morning 9 A.M
Kalasanthi Pooja
Noon 12 P.M
Uchikala Pooja
Afternoon 12.30 P.M
Nadai Thirukkappu
Evening 4.30 P.M
Nadai Thirapu
Evening 6.00 P.M
Sayaraksha Pooja
Evening 7.00 P.M
Arthajamam Pooja
Festivals
11-day Brahmmotsavam in Thai (January-February), Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Skanda Shashti in October-November, Aippasi Annabishekam, Tamil New year, Kiruthigai, Shivarathri and Masi Magam in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The Car festival here is very famous and happens in the Tamil month of Thai.
Prayers
If the devotees circumambulate 12 times the temple tree and light a lamp in the main Sannidhi they will get relived from any disturbances in their business, marriage problems and from any kind of evil forces. 
Contact
Mandhiragiri Velayudha Swamy Temple,
Senjerimalai, Sulur Taluk,
Coimbatore District – 641 669
Phone: +91 4255 266 515 / 268 515 / 268 415
Mobile: +91 98652 69962 / 92458 68412
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Senjerimalai Bus Stop, 22 Kms from Kinathukkadavu Railway Station, 24 Kms from Palladam, 30 Kms from Pollachi, 30 Kms from Udumalaipettai, 42 Kms from Coimbatore Airport and 44 Kms from Coimbatore. There are many town buses to Senjerimalai from Udumalaipettai and Pollachi. There are very few buses from Coimbatore that goes via this temple to Udumalaipettai.