Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple or Solaimalai Murugan Temple is located on top of a densely forested hill about 1100 feet above sea level, Pazhamudircholai is the sixth abode (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan.
1) Avvaiyar, Hot or Cold Fruit?
Avvaiyar was a great Murugan devotee. Once she wanted to see the famous Murugan temple called Pazhani, which was located on top of a big hill. She walked there and approaching the temple, she said to herself: I am tired… Let me sit under this tree for a while and maybe I can continue my journey after resting. As she sat, she heard a boy’s voice.
- Hello, grandmother! Look, I’m here!
- Avvaiyar looked up and saw the boy sitting on a branch.
- The boy asked are you tired, grandma?
- Avvaiyar smiled at the boy and said, “Yes, I am.”
- “Do you want some fruit? I can shake this tree and the fruit will fall to the ground and you can pick it up. Want some?” he responded.
- “Yes, please,” Avvaiyar said.
- “But wait a minute. Do you want hot or cold fruit? the boy asked smiling.
- Avvaiyar looked at him and laughed. She was hungry… and the boy made silly jokes.
- He doesn’t look like the other children, she thought but brushed it off.
- “Hot or cold? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” she replied.
- “Hot or cold? he asked firmly.
- “Okay…we’ll do it your way.” It’s a hot day, so bring me some cold fruit.”
- He laughed and gently shook a branch, causing the fruit to fall like small pebbles to the ground. Avvaiyar picked up a fruit and blew on it to remove the sand.
- The boy came down, stood next to Avvaiyar and said, “You blow on the fruit as a hungry man blows at a Vadai just out of the oven… Isn’t the fruit as cold as you want it, grandma?”
- The gesture of blowing the sand on the fruit gave the impression that the fruit was hot. It also meant that fruit that fell to the ground was heated by the ground, and if the fruit was picked before it fell to the ground, it was cold.
- Avvaiyar was stunned, she realized she had become complacent, she thought the boy was illiterate, but he taught her a great lesson. She had momentary pride and neglected her mind, thinking the boy is illiterate and she was knowledgeable. This incident made her realize that no one should be neglected.
- She then asked the boy to reveal his true image. The boy revealed that he was Lord Murugan’s incarnate. Avvaiyar was happy and adored him.
- It is strongly believed that this episode took place in a tree near the temple and the tree is still worshipped today.
2) Lord Muruga with Sri Valli and Deivanai:
In ancient times, only the Vel was worshiped as the Moolavar or the Main deity. Later, an idol of Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai was added. In this superb temple, Lord Murugan is worshiped as Jnana Shakti and Goddess Valli as Iccha Shakti and Goddess Deivanai as Kriya Shakti.
It is the only one of the six mansions of Lord Muruga (Aarupadaiveedu) where Lord Muruga is seen with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Besides visiting the temple to seek divine blessings from the Lord, many people come to this temple to pray for children, marriage, and even education.
3) About The Naval Tree:
The Naval tree generally yields fruit during the Tamil calendar months of Aadi and Aavani (July to September). But, strangely, the tree of this temple yields fruit in the month of Aipasi (October-November), the month in which the emblematic Sashti festival of Lord Murugan is celebrated.
4) Noopura Ganga:
A natural spring called Noopura Ganga with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi Amman is on the top of the hill. Pilgrims to the temple immerse themselves in this small sacred spring believed to have come from Sri Maha Vishnu’s bracelet. It is believed that devotees who worship at this shrine are blessed with wealth and health. The Silambam River flows near the temple.
5) Abundant Natural Beauty:
The temple is also endowed with great flora and fauna native to this area of the hill. Those who prefer to visit the temple on foot can hike up the monkey-infested causeway through verdant forests.