• Murugan

Oothu Malai Baala Subramani Murugan Temple

Overview


Sri Balasubramaniar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Seelanaickenpatti, Oothumalai, in Salem district, Tamilnadu. Oothumalai is about 11 kms from Skandasramam. This hill top temple too is dedicated to lord Muruga, assuming the name of Balasubramaniar.

It is a small temple, but very interesting for two reasons: Here, Lord Muruga is seen holding the neck of his beloved peacock, a unique posture not to be seen in any other temple. Also, the view from the hill top is amazing and one could capture a good view of Salem town from here.This Temple is situated around 17 kms from Salem junction on top of a hill. Sage Agastya wrote the Tamil Grammar Agathiyam from this place only.


About The Temple


The presiding deity Balasubramaniar graces in the temple with His Peacock vehicle in a standing form. Lord Vinayaka is on His left while Lord Shiva with Nandhi - Bull vehicle is on the right. The caves in the area indicate the presence of Jains here in those days. There is also evidence that Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Muruga here.

Srichakra Devi with Yantras having 43 triangles (the diagrammatic representation of the Alogical Siva-Shakti) related to Shakti worship is installed in the temple. There is a hermitage also with a Rishipatni (wife of a sage) near the temple. On the other side, Sage Agasthya is sitting on a tiger skin under a tree. Kabila Rishi cave also is here whose form in depicted in a sculpture. The carving has a cow, a tree and a trident.

Swarna Vinayakar, Agastheeshwarar, Sadasivar, Navagrahas the nine planets grace the devotees from separate shrines in the temple. Vilwa is the holy tree in the temple. People pray to Lord Balasubramaniar, Devi Bala Tripurasundari and Chakradevi for relief from evil aspects and a bright life.


Legend and Stories


According to the history of the place (Sthalapuranam), Seven Rishis (Saptha Rishis) had their bath very early in the morning in a spring here, particularly at the time of the dawn of the New Moon day during the Shivarathri days and performed pujas to Lord Sadhasiva. That Shiva Siddha, Kanjamalai Siddha, Karadi Siddha, Palani Bogar lived here is mentioned in Kongumandala Sathagam and Papanasa Purana palm leaves. Rishi Suga as a parrot and Rishi Kanva performed penance here.

Tamil language, Sage Agasthya and Lord Muruga are inseparable according to both history and the scriptures. When Agasthya came to Pothigai, he created the river Thambaraparani. He stayed in a Muruga temple in the place close to a waterfall. In course of time, this temple came to be known as Agasthya Temple. According to researchers, Agasthya wrote the Tamil Grammar Agathiyam from this temple.

It is believed that Sage Agasthya, during his journey in Tamilnadu could have visited this temple (Seelanaickenpatti-Oothumalai) where Lord Muruga graces in the child form.


Festivals


10 day Panguni Uthiram festival in March-April with Mandakapadi and car procession each day drawing crowd in lakhs; 10 day Thaipoosam car festival; festivals to the steps of the temple on the first day of chithirai month – April-May with lamp puja for each step; Vaikasi Visakam-conch abishek with special pujas in May-June, 7 day Aipasi Skanda Sashi festival in October-November with a Laksharchana (chanting the thousand names of the Lord 100 times repeatedly) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.


Significance


People pray here for happy wedlocks, child boon, for remedy from illness and other physical problems, favourable results in litigations, recovery of things lost, trade problems etc. and they strongly believe that Lord Muruga offers just solutions. The other natural advantage is that devotees go by steps to the temple breathing the healthy herbal breeze.


Thanks Giving


Tonsuring, carrying Kavadi, offering things equal to their weight (Tulabaram), contributing cattle are the prayer commitments followed by devotees. Those getting the child boon realized, make cradles of sugarcane and tie them in the temple. Some offer Vel – the weapon of Lord Muruga- made of silver and offer it to the Lord. Abishek is offered in milk, curd, green coconut, lime fruits, sandal, panchamirtham made of five ingredients, oil etc. They perform Kalasabishekam (kalasa-small metal pots) on Sashti days – 6th day either from new moon or full moon days. Shanmuga Homa is devotionally performed by devotees. Feeding the visitors and usual abisheks are also performed by devotees.


How To Reach Oothu Malai Bala Subramani Murugan Temple, Seelanaickenpatti

Air

The Nearest Airport is located at Trichy and Coimbatore Airport.


Rail

The Nearest railway station is located at Salem Railway Station.


Road

Oothumalai Murugan Temple is 6 km from Salem on the Seelanaickenpatti bypass road.


Temple Address


Oothu Malai Bala Subramani Murugan Temple,
Seelanaickenpatti, Oothumalai,
Salem district, Tamil Nadu, Pincode – 636201.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • To be married soon
  • For child boon
  • To get rid of illness
  • To save the property from litigation
Shlokas

Shadaananam Chandana Liptha Gathram Mahorasam Divya Mayoora Vaahanam Rudrasya Soonum Suraloka Naatham Brahmanya Devam Charanam Prapadye

Meaning -I always take refuge in the 6 faced Lord Guha, who has sandal paste smeared over his body, who is broad-chested, whose vehicle is the peacock, who is Lord Shiva's son and who leads the army of the Devas.

Heyswami Natha Karunakara Dheenabandho Shree Parvatheesha Mukha Pankaja Padmabandho Shree Saadhi Devagana Poojitha Padha Padma Vallesa Nadha Mama Dehi Karaavalambham

Meaning -O! Merciful Lord Swaminatha, who cares for the poor, who is the sun to Lord Shiva's lotus face, whose lotus feet are acknowledged by Lord Vishnu and the others, Valli's Lord, please uplift me by lending me your hand.

Ariru Thadanthozh Vazhga Arumugam Vazhga Veppai Kooru Sei Thanivel Vazhga Kukkudum Vazhga Sevvel Yeriya Magnai Vazhga Aanai Thun Anangu Vazhga Maarila Valli Vazhga Vazhga Seer Adiyar Yellam

Meaning -Oh Muruga, we hail your 12 strong shoulders for they protect us from our enemies, we hail your 6 faces, we hail the Vel, your weapon that broke apart the Krounja mountain to reveal the asura in it. We hail the bird, the cock, that is part of your symbol in the flag. We hail your peacock, that takes you all over the world, we hail your consort Devyani, who was brought up by Indra's white elephant, Airavadam, we hail your other consort, the flawless Valli. And we hail your Bhaktas who worship you as a prayer.

Uruvai Aruvai Uladhai Iladhai Maruvai Malarai Maniyai Oliyai Karuvai Uyirai Gadhiyai Vidhiyai Guruvai Varuvai Arulvai Guhaney

Meaning -O Lord Muruga, you have form and you are formless, you have everything and have nothing, you who exist in the smallest, in flowers, in a bell's ring, in the light. You are the embryo, the life, destiny and fate. Bestow your blessings on us as our guru.

Timings

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

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