Vetrivel Murugan Temple,
Sakthi Malai, Kotagiri, Nilgiris
Vetrivel Murugan Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, located in Sakthi Malai near Kotagiri
Town in Kotagiri Taluk in Nilgiris District of Tamil
Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vetrivel Murugan.
Legends
There was a Swayambhu idol under
a tree in Sakthimalai. Boy shepherds and those collecting dry leaves in the
area noticed a serpent and a peacock worshipping this Swayambhu. They noticed
it for six months continuously and then informed the elders in the village.
They came to the spot, stood at a distance and found the information true. After
the serpent and peacock left the place, they went to the spot and worshipped.
They rightly concluded that the
Swayambhu should be of Lord Murugan as it was worshipped by the serpent and
peacock closely related to Murugan. The villagers built a small temple and
began the pujas. Devotee visits increased day by day. With liberal
contributions and the cooperation of the devotees, the temple grew in size and
expansions.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Vetrivel
Murugan. Besides the Soma Skanda design, the temple has many special features.
Lord Murugan generally appears with a Dhanda – Staff in his hand in a majority
of Murugan temples. Here he appears with his celebrated leaf shaped weapon Vel.
Also, Lord Murugan appears with a peacock wing piece (Mayil Peeli in Tamil) on his
left. The temple has separate shrines for Aadhi Vinayaka, Bhairava, Swarnapureeswarar,
Mother Swarnambika, Chandikeswarar and Nagar. Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava and
Brahma are the Koshta Idols located in the sanctum walls.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
7.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Festivals
The temple grandly celebrates Vaikasi
Visakam (May-June), Panguni Uthiram (March-April) and Sura Samharam
(October-November). The annual festival of the temple Thai Poosam in January-February
begins with flag hoisting and goes on for 11 days. Lord Murugan is taken in
procession with different Alankaras each day. Devotees from about 200
surrounding villages carry Kavadis and milk pots come to the temple by walking
and perform abishek to Lord. The wedding festival takes place on the 9th
day and the car festival on the 10th day.
Prayers
Expressing their faith in the
grace of Lord Murugan, devotees say that rubbing the Mayil Peeli on the
affected parts and the sacred ash on the sick, they see remarkable signs of
improvement in health. Those facing problems in families and litigations and
court proceedings perform Shatru Samhara Trisathi Pujas and Archanas to Lord
hoping favorable verdicts. The temple serves as a remedial centre for those
facing the impact of the adverse aspects of planet Mars and Naga Dhosha –
serpent aspects. They join the special pujas in the temple on Kritika star
days, Chandi, Full Moon and Pradosha (thirteenth day of full moon or new moon
day) days.
If Pradosha falls on a Saturday (Sani
Pradosham) abishekam to Lord Murugan is performed with 108 conches followed by
Mahanyasa Parayana and Rudra Homa. Those worshipping the Lord with his Vel in
hand gain wisdom and conquer all evils set on them from previous births and the
present. They are fearless and become enlightened. As Vel has all the powers –
Sakthi, the place is known as Sakthi Malai – Hill of beneficial powers. Students
come in large numbers seeking Lord’s blessings.
Visitors
Devotees recall the visit of Sri
Thirumuruga Kirupanandha Variyar, who usually carried with him a puja box with Lord
Murugan to perform pujas and Abhishekams in his camp places daily. He did his pujas
in this temple on a day and said that the place and environment of the temple had
all divine features and that the temple would grow big and famous in the days to
come. His words had come true.
Now the temple had grown big
with many shrines for other deities too. As the temple is in a hill region,
people come here in large numbers only during the summer holidays. Foreigners
who visit Nilgiris do not fail to visit this temple for meditation and mental
piece. People of other faiths too visit this temple and experience the divine
vibrations and spend time in meditation and return back with happy feelings.
Foreigners come here throughout the year.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from
Kotagiri Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Kotagiri, 22 Kms
from Coonoor, 23 Kms from Coonoor Railway Station, 34 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway
Station, 33 Kms from Ooty, 68 Kms from Coimbatore and 80 Kms from Coimbatore
Airport. Buses are available from Kotagiri Bus Stand to this place frequently.
Private Taxis are available from Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor to reach this
place.
Location
