Suruli
Velappar Temple, Suruli Malai,
Theni
Suruli Velappar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Suruli Malai near Cumbum Town
in Uthamapalayam Taluk in Theni District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Suruli Velappar / Suruli Andavar. The Temple is also called as Suruli Andavar Temple.
This is a hill temple.
Suruli Malai was also called as Suruthi
Malai in ancient times. The Temple is located close to famous Suruli Falls and
Suruli Bhooda Narayana Swamy Temple. The hill has many water resources with
rich medicinal properties coupled with religious importance. The place is historically known as Neduvel Kundram, Hill of
Lord Muruga.
The Temple
This is a cave temple situated
in Suruli Malai. The cave is of OHM mantra letter shape with a rock having the
foot lines-rekhas of dancing Kannimars. Presiding Deity is called as Suruli
Velappar / Suruli Andavar. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Vinayaka are in the
sanctum sanctorum along with Lord Velappar. There are shrines for Agasthya,
Saptha Kannigais, Naga Devatas, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Santhana Krishna, Valli
and Veerabahu in the Temple premises.
There are many caves here as
Vibhuthi Guhai, Sarpa Guhai, Pattaiya Guhai, Krishnan Guhai and Kannimar Guhai.
Each cave has a holy spring-Theertham. The wet sand when dried becomes Vibhuti
the sacred ash. A tree had become rock due to the perennial flowing of water on
it. Tree leaves and stems become a rock if placed under water for 48 days. No
rock is slippery despite water flowing on them forever. Theertham associated
with this Temple is Surabi Theertham.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from
8.00 a.m. in the mornings to 4.00 p.m. in the evenings
Festivals
Chithirai Utsavam in April-May;
Aadi 18 celebrations in July-August; New Moon days in Aadi and Thai month
(July-August and January-February respectively) Thai Poosam in
January-February; Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January; Shivrathri in
February-March, Aadi Pooram, Vaikasi Visakam, Purattasi Mahalaya Amavasya and
Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
For freedom from sins committed,
devotees carry milk pots, perform special abishekam to Lord, tonsure and bathe
in Surabi River gaining benefits of a peaceful life. All physical problems and
diseases will disappear. The river has rich herbal properties. It is the faith
of the devotees that they would attain salvation if they perform penance here. People
perform special abishekam to Lord and feed the poor – Annadhanam. Sweet
pudding-Sarkarai Pongal is offered as nivedhana to Lord Muruga here.
Contact
Suruli Velappar Temple,
Suruli Malai, Uthamapalayam
Taluk,
Theni District – 625 521
Mobile: +91 73733 62838 / 97903 55234
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
400 meters from Suruli Falls, 9 Kms from Cumbum, 10 Kms from Cumbum Bus Stand,
19 Kms from Uthamapalayam, 26 Kms from Chinnamanur, 29 Kms from Kuchanur, 47
Kms from Theni, 48 Kms from Theni Railway Station, 124 Kms from Madurai and 141
Kms from Madurai Airport. There are buses and share autos available from Cumbum
to reach this place.
Location
