- Murugan
Sri Muthukumaraswami Temple
- Panmozhi,Tamil Nadu
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Overview
The temple to visit for Visakam Nakshatra is Sri Muthukumaraswami Temple that is located at Panmozhi near the small town of Shenkottai, which is near the famous waterfalls of Courtallum or Kutraalam. The temple is near some of the other important destinations for Aiyyappan Swami, such as Ariyangavu and Achankoil.
About the Temple
Elephants were used to carry stone pillars and beams to the top of the hill while building the temple. Those were the days when strong ropes were not available, they used ropes made of palm fibres and sometimes they gave in resulting in their rolling down. When they were cut off and rolled down, it is said that an ascetic women, Sivakami Ammaiyar dared her life and stopped the stone with her head, crying Muruga, Muruga There are 625 steps to reach the temple at the hill top. This is also called Tirikoodamalai. At the entrance of the hill, there is a shrine for Lord Vallabha Vinayaka. There are two Padukas – Foot Symbol. There is another Vinayaka shrine in the middle of the hill path followed by one to Idumban.
About The Deity
The main deity of the temple is Sri Muthukumaraswami.His consort is known as Goddess is Mother Thirumalai Kali.
Legend and Stories
Once there was only Vel – the weapon of Lord Muruga, in the temple. The priest of the Temple, Poovan Pattar was performing pujas for the Vel. While he was relaxing under a tamarind tree after the puja one day, Lord Muruga appeared in his dream and said that the hill belonged to Him and that He was in the form of an idol at Kottaithiradu, a little away from the place. Lord asked the priest to go to the place where ants would be moving in a line and that He was there. The priest informed the king. The idol was taken from the pit and installed. The temple was built by the Pandala king. It is believed that Pithrus (departed ancestors) live on the steps of the hill. Hence, performing Tarpans to them at this place would greatly benefit the following generations. The devotion of Sivakami Ammayar with steadfastness and determination carrying the stones for building the temple is a thrilling story.
Festivals
Step festival on the first of Chithirai falling mostly on April 14, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Karthikai float festival in November-December and Thai Poosam in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Significance
Visakam starrers and others pray for relief from planetary adversities and believe that Lord Muruga graces all their wishes .There are 16 steps to Lord Vinayaka Temple praised as Shodasa Vinayaka. Shodasa in Sanskrit means 16. The number represents 16 wealth such as education, courage, success, material wealth etc. On the first of each Tamil month, feeding is organized by a Devotee Association from 6.00 a.m. till night.
Nearby Place To Visit
Agastheeswarar
Kasinathaswami
Tennazhagar
Krishnaswami
Neelamaninathaswami
Adhi Varaha Perumal
Accessibility
Sengottai is 155 km from Madurai. The temple at Tirumalai koil is 7 km from Sengottah that can be reached both by buses and vans. The closest railway station is in Tenkasi, Sengottai, and the closest airport is in Madurai.
Temple Address
Sri Tirumalai Kumaraswami Temple,
Panmozhi ,
Sengottai,
Tirunelveli district,
Pincode – 627 807
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- Relief from planetary adversities
- For general well-being of people born under Vishaka/Visakam star
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 1.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m