Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. On the way to Coimbatore, this hill temple is
about 7-1/2 kilometres south of Ingoor Railway Station. This temple is located in
the city of Chennimalai of Perundurai, Erode District. Chennimalai is 26 kilometres
from Erode and three kilometres from Perunthurai. Chennimalai can be reached by road from Erode, which is a business centre. The nearest railway
station is Ingoor and can be reached by road from Perunturai also. The nearest
airport is Coimbatore. The Devasthanam has provided special buses to reach the hilltop.
Facilities
Chennimalai Devasthanam has made some arrangement towards rest houses for the visiting devotees. There are a
number of boarding and lodging houses of good standard in Erode.
Nearby Tourist Spots
Tiru Murugan Poondi
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Othimalai
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Yercaud
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Ooty
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Sivanmalai
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Avinashi
|
Hill
This temple is situated at about 600
meters above sea level and this hill is noted for its natural flora and fauna.
This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In
Devanagiri this hill is called Siragiri and Chenniyangiri. In Tamil it is
called Chennimalai. The city underneath the hill is also called Chennimalai.
This hill is also called
Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri. The Lord of mountains 'Kuringi Andavar',
Murugan is highly praised and sung with reference to this abode in
Kundruthorādal. Chennimalai is one of them and abounds in natural beauty and
splendor.
Special Features
The most famous temple of Lord
Muruga in Coimbatore District is Chennimalai. This world famous temple of Lord
Muruga is where Lord Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth
of coins. This is where an unusual phenomenon, rather a miracle took place in
the year 1984 on 12th February. A bullock cart with two bulls climbed
the 1320 steps on their own on this eventful day. Saravana Munivar wrote the
most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam before 700 years. Milk and curds are
used as special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the general
belief that curds do not become sour here.
Temple
The temple of Chennimalai is situated on the banks of Noyal also called Kānchima Nadhi. The Sanctum
Sanctorum faces the east. Just in front of the temple we find the Puliyadi
Vināyagar. Inside the temple to the right of Moolavar we find the shrines of
Mārkandeswarar and to the left Umayavalli. On the left side we find the shrines
of Kasi Viswanāthar and Visālākshi.
If we take the steps found just behind the Moolavar Sannidhi, we reach the Valli Teyvannai Temple. The two
consorts enshrined in a separate temple are a very unique phenomenon. On the
top of the hill we find the Pinnākau Siddhar cave with the front yard filled
with Vel of different sizes and shapes. This Siddhar is one of the popular 18
Siddhar known to the world for their Siddha yoga. Near this cave we find the
Saravana Māmunivar's Tomb. There is also another very ancient cave near this
temple.
Speciality of this temple
The main deity Murugan is equated to the Sevvai graham or planet Mars and all the rest of the eight planets
encircle the Lord in perfect harmony. If one circumambulates the main deity he
is believed to get the benefit of circumambulating the navagrahās and
worshipping them.
Valli Teyvannai Temple
As we go further up behind the temple we see the Valli Teyvannai temple. They are in penance to attain Lord
Muruga. They are known by the names Amirthavalli and Sundaravalli. A separate
temple for Valli and Teyvannai is the most unique feature of this temple.
Shasti Vratam
The observance of Shasti fast is also a special feature in this temple. Many devotees take this vow and spend 6
days fasting and praying at the temple premises. The monthly Shasti day after
the new moon is also observed with great reverence. Particularly those devotees
without progeny sincerely observe this Shasti fast and there are many instances
of families coming traditionally on getting their vow fulfilled.
Kanda Shasti Kavacham offering
Another most important feature here is that the popular daily prayer of Murugan Devotees, Kanda Shasti Kavacham was
first offered to the world in this temple by Balan Dêvarāya Swamigal. From that
day onwards till today many devotees keep chanting this prayer every day.
Sirasuppu Utharavu Kêttal
Asking for the Lord's permission before taking up any task like building a new house or getting their children
married or any other issue is customary in this temple. Devotees offer an
Archnai and perform Sirasappu offering. If the reply is positive they
whole-heartedly perform that action or event. Traditionally if the answer is
negative the Devotees do not venture further.
Holy water brought by the Temple Bulls
The holy water for Abishekam is being brought everyday by the temple bulls, which are being maintained by the
Devasthanam. This procedure is also a very unique one not found in other temples.
Mamanga Theertham
Once in twelve years, during drought conditions a spring gushes out water. This spring is on the southern
side of the hill temple. This is a miraculous Divine happening. The Vināyagar
near the spring called Mamānga Theertha Vināyagar. The people worship this
Vināyagar and the holy springs with great Devotion.
Other shrines
1.
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Malaivazhi Vināyagar
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This is the first shrine we encounter when we climb the steps.
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2.
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Natarājar
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This deity is enshrined in the temple inside the city.
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3.
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Tirumuga Malarndha Nāthar
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Kālinagar Siva Perumān
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4.
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Tiruthār Kuzhali
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Kālinagar Ambigai
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5.
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Kailaya Nāthar
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Unnimalai Nagar Siva Peruman
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6.
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Periyanāyagi
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Kailāyanathar's consort
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7.
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Markandesar
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Lord Shiva on the hill temple
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8.
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Imayavalli
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Markandesar's consort
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9.
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Tirusandhi Vinayagar
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Thala Vināyagar on the hill
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10.
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Deivāniyar,Vallināyagiyar
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Enshrined in a separate shrine in
the hill
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11.
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Sathiyajñāni
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Punnakku Siddhar, there is a cave
on the hill where this siddhar lived.
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12.
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Idumban
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At the foot of the hills Idumban
is enshrined and is worshipped as the village deity.
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Theerthams
- Mamanga Theertham - This spring is on the southwestern slope
of Chennimalai just opposite the Vinayagar shrine.
- Kandu Kānāch Sunai - This spring can be seen only by yogis and
saints (reference Verse 27 Siragiri Manmiyam)
- Subramanya Theertham - This is found on the northern side of
foothill. This is also called Saravanapoigai, Kumara Theertham. Saravana Munivar
established this city on banks of this spring (ālayam Kanda Mānmiyam verse 11).
Sthala Vriksham
Sthala Vriksham is tamarind tree
and is found in front of the temple where there is a shrine for Puliamarathadi
Vināyagar.
deity
The moolavar here is popularly
known as Siragiri Dandayudhapani. This deity as per Sthala Puranam gave Dharsan
to Saravana Munivar as single faced Murugan after appearing as the six faced
Arumugam in the first instance. The utsava murti is Muttukumara Subramaniyar
with his two consorts Valli and Teyvannai.
Mythology
The Chennimalai Sthalapuranam has
207 verses including the invocation songs and is divided into six cantos. They
are Chepêdu Kanda Mānmiyam, Siragiri Mānmiyam, Pushpagiri Mānmiyam, Kātchi
Mānmiyam, Idumbanuku Vazhi Kātiya Mānmiyam, ālayam Kanda Mānmiyam. The author of
this great work is the poet Saint Saravana Munivar. This book also mentions
that the temple was initially built by Saravana Munivar himself and the
festivities were also initiated by him.
Saravana Munivar went to Palani, Tiruvavinankudi
and circumambulated the Palani hills offering prayer and requested the Lord to
give him Chennimalai Sthalapuranam. As per Lord Muruga's Divine instruction,
Saravana Munivar went to Kanchipuram and brought a copy of the copper plate
inscription of Sthalapuranam. He was wonder struck to note the depiction in the
Sthalapuranam come alive when he reached Chennimalai. He built the temple of
Lord Muruga and also a separate shrine for Valli and Teyvannai. Later he also
built a temple for Kailasanāthar near Subramanya Theertham in the city of
Chennimalai. He built the shrine of Lord Muruga and Valli Teyvannai in the
Chitra Mandapam of this temple. He also made the temple car similar to the one
at Palani. The Lord of Chennimalai is enshrined both on the hilltop and in the
city. The famous poet Teyvasigamani Gounder brought out the original palm leaf
inscription of this Puranam in print.
History
Saravana Munivar constructed the
temple on the hill and the city beneath, Kailāya Nāthar temple and initiated
the car festival.
In the first half of the 13th
Century acres of land where offered to the Lord of Chennimalai. The Minister by
name Muthuvasavaiyan of Mysore Devaraja Udayar Dynasty renovated the exterior
of this temple in the year 1654.
Devaraja Udayar's other Minister
Madavāgam Devaraja Iyer sung the Kanda Shasti Kavasam for the king. We find the
sculptures of Devaraja Udayar, his wife and Muthuvasavaiyan on the pillar of
Valliamman temple.
Sengathurai Poosari
Sengathurai Poosari lived in the
18th century. He was born in Sengathurai of Pallādam Thaluk. At the foot of the
Chennimalai hill we find his tomb and Madam. He took renunciation at a very
early age, offered himself to the Lord of Chennimalai, and renovated the temple
by and large.
He built the Mahā Mandapam of the
temple on the hill, laid the floor with stones on the hill temple, and
constructed the Kailasanāthar temple outer mandapam, inner mandapam, gopuram
& tirumathil. On the day of consecration of Maha Mandapam of the hill
temple, the sculptor showed him, his sculpture that he had created as a mark of
acknowledgement. Sengathurai Poosari immediately said that this stone figure is
going to replace him and on the very day he attained the Golden Feet of the Lord.
Puja | Time |
Ushakkalam | 7.00 am |
KalaSandhi | 8.00 am |
Uchikkalam | 11.00 am |
Periya Uchikkalam | 12.00 pm |
SayaRatchai | 5.00 pm |
Rakkalam | 7.00 pm |
ArthaJama | 8.00 pm |
Vêttuvappalayam Vêlalathambiran
This blessed devotee of Lord Muruga
lived in the early half of the 19th Century.
His tomb is in Vêttuvappalayam,
which is located next to Perunthurai.
He lived as a prophet by the Grace of
Lord Muruga. He built the footsteps to Chennimalai temple, the lights on the
footpath, visitors rest houses, Amman temple, Tirumathil, Palani Poosari Madam,
and also initiated the Arthajama puja, Panguni Uttiram car festival and
Avinashi car festival.
Pujas
The daily puja is conducted as per the tradition of Kamika Agamam. The puja timings are as at right.
Month | Festivals |
Chithirai | Tamil New Year Utsavam, Chitra Pournami Utsavam |
Vaigasi | Vaigasi Visagam |
Aadi | Aadi New Moon Utsavam |
Aippasi | Kandar Shasti Surasamhara Utsavam
(6 Days) |
Thai
|
Thaipoosam
Car Festival Brahmotsavam (15 Days)
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Panguni
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Panguni Uttiram Car Festival
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Monthly, Annual Festivals
On every
month new moon day, Shasti and Krittikai special festivals are conducted.
Inscriptions
On the foothills of the temple we
find a stone landmark in the Mandapam built by Vêttuvapallayam Vêlan Thambiran.
This gives information on the offering made by Murungai Perunthozhuvar to Lord
Murugan during the reign of Kumara Varman Sundara Pandiayan. In the Chennimalai
Velavar temple Garbagraham, on the left side of the entrance we find an
inscription. According to this inscription this was made in Kaliyuga year 1641.
This may be approximately 357 years old. We find another 600 years old inscription
and according to the inscription this place is called Pidariyur. The other name
Tiruvirundhapuram is also believed to be in existence before 600 years.
Literature
1. | Chennimalai Thala | Saravana Munivar Puranam |
2. | Mêzhi Vilakkam | Saravanaiyā |
3. | Chennimalai Pillai | Samynatha Pulavar Tamizh |
4. | Chennimalai Yamaga | Samynatha Pulavar Vanthathi |
5. | Chennimalai Āndavar | Anganna Chettiar Kādal |
6. | Kongu Mandala | Valasundara Kavirayar Sadhagam |
7. | Chennimalai Murugan | V.R. Teyvasigamani Pulavarātrupadai
|
8. | Poondurai Puranam | Kalianna Kavirāyar |
The Sthalapuranam of the temple was
written in the remote past before many centuries. The original was palm leaf
inscriptions and was published as a book by Sri. Teyvasigamani Gounder after
research and conversation with scholars. Arunagirinathar has made references to
this temple in his works. The poet saint Saravana Munivar has also written the sthalapuranam
for this temple and has sung many songs on the bliss of salvation and god-Love.
Other than these there are many hymns and songs written by Padikasu Pulavar and others.
Hymns & Songs
- Kanda Shasti Kavacham
- Kappu
- huthiporkku Valvinaipom ThunbamPom Nengil
- Pathiporkku Selvam Palithu - Kathithongum
- Nishtaiyum Kaikoodum, Nimalar Arul Kandar
- Shasti Kavasam thanai.
- Kural Venba
- Amarar Edar Theera Amaram Purindha
- Kumaran Adi Nenjae Kuri.
Chennimalai Devasthanam address:
Arulmigu Subramanya Swami Temple
Chennimalai
Perunthurai
Erode District 638 051 India