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Friday, March 22, 2019

Vetrivel Murugan Temple, Sakthi Malai, Kotagiri, Nilgiris

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