Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Timings, History, Pooja, Festivals

Chennimalai Temple is located about 600 meters above sea level and this hill is known for its natural flora and fauna. This is a 3000 years old ancient Hill Temple near the banks of the Noyyal also called Kanchima Nadhi. This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In Devanagiri, this hill is called Siagiri, Chenniyangiri and in Tamil, Chennimalai.

The Lord of mountains ‘Kuringi Andavar’, Murugan is highly praised and sung with reference to this abode in Kundruthoradal. The Sanctum Sanctorum faces east. Right in front of the temple is the Puliyadi Vinayagar. Inside the temple to the right of Moolavar are the shrines of Markandeswarar and to the left Umayavalli. On the left side are the shrines of Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi.

The steps behind Moolavar Sannidhi lead to the Valli and  Devayanai (Devasena) temple. The two wives enshrined in a separate temple are a unique phenomenon and they are known by the names Amirthavalli and Sundaravalli. Pinnakau Siddhar cave with the front yard full of Vel (lords weapon) of different sizes and shapes is on top of the hill. This Siddhar is one of the 18 popular Siddhars known around the world for their Siddha yoga. Saravana Mamunivar’s tomb is near the cave. There is also another very old cave near this temple.

The main deity Lord Murugan is equated with Sevvai Graham or Mars planet and the rest of the eight planets surround the Lord in perfect harmony. If one goes around the main deity, he or she is believed to get the advantage of bypassing the navagrahas and worshiping them.

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of Protection, Wisdom, Energy, Forgiveness for past deeds, Neutralize the malefic effects of Mars and Good Health.

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Speciality:

• This is where an unusual phenomenon, rather a miracle, happened in 1984 on February 12. A bullock cart with two bulls climbed the 1320 steps to reach the temple. More than 10 Lakh devotees from all over had gathered the previous night and witnessed this miracle.
• The popular daily prayer of the Devotees of Murugan, Kanda Shasti Kavacham, was offered for the first time to the world in this temple by Balan Dêvarâya Swamigal. From that day until today, many Devotees continue to sing this prayer every day.
• The observance of the 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.
• Punnaaku Sittar’, one of the 18 sittars, lived here and attained Moksha. The cave where he did his penance can be seen here.
• Sri Valli and Sri Deivanai, both in one stone, in a separate temple is a unique specialty.
• A specialty of this place is that Childless couples, who follow ‘Vratha’ on the sixth day from Amavasya (Shasti) are blessed with Children.
• This temple has ‘Maamanga Theetha’, a stream that automatically overflows once in 12 years.
• The Hill Temple Hundi was stolen on the night of 09/02/2013, but the full amount was miraculously recovered on Amavasya night of 09/05/2013.
• Decorated Bulls carry the ‘Abhisheka items’ through 1320 steps for the daily abhisekam of the Moolavar, which is unique to this temple.
• Sri Sengathurai Poosariyar and Sri Vettuvapalayam poosariyar lived and offered services here. They attained Moksha.

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Timings:

Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Daily Puja:

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple History:

Once upon a time Anandan A.K.A Nagarjuna and Vayu Deva claimed that each of them was superior and important. Then there was a fight between them to show their strength. When Anandan embraced Mahameru (Great Hill) and stood firm, Vayu Deva responded by huffing loudly. As a result, Mahameru’s head (peak) was blown away and fell in the town of Poondurai (now Perundurai). This peak of Mahameru is known as Sira giri, Sigara giri, Pushpa giri, Makutagiri or Chennimalai (Head of the hills).

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Idol History:

1) About 3 miles from Chennimalai, on the banks of Noyyal River, there is a village named ‘Kodumanal’. It was once a flourishing ancient trade city known as Kodumanam, as inscribed in Patittrupathu of Sangam literature. The place is an important archaeological site, under the control of the State Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu. Archaeological Survey suggests that once upon a time, this village used to be a big town and was ruled by a petty king. The research on this subject is still continuing to unearth more information.

Hundreds of years ago there lived a Landlord in this town who had hundreds of dairy cows on his farm, one among them was a Black Colour Cow (Karam Pasu). Every day the cowherd locks up all the cows in the evening after they have grazed the whole day. The cowherd noticed that there was no milk in the udder of the Karam Pasu for a few days and informed the Land Lord. The landlord also observed for some time that during the evening, when all the cows come back after grazing, this Karam Pasu used to separate from the rest and proceed to a particular spot and discharge the milk by itself. He decided to dig the spot where the cow flows its milk every day.

On digging about 5 to 6 ft a beautiful Statue of Lord Muruga was found. He was ecstatic about finding the idol. Further, he noticed that the idol was beautifully sculpted up to the hip and the lower portion was rough. The best artisan was summoned to complete the job. Everyone was shocked to see that on the first chisel, the idol started to bleed. The landlord realized that this is God’s will to be the way it was. So he consecrated this idol of Lord Dandayudapani on a nearby hill, which is today known as Chennimalai hill. Even today one can see the lower portion of the Moolavar Vigraham is still the same way.

2) The temple is dated approximately 3000 years back, constructed during the King ‘Sivalaya Chola’ period. It is said that this King, while on a pilgrimage to get rid of ‘Brahmahatti Dosha’, was taking bath in the river Noyyal, saw this hill, climbed the hill along with his troops and entered the temple. Lord Muruga appeared in the form of an ‘Archagar’ and performed Puja on himself and relieved King Sivalaya Chola of Brahmahatti Dosha. It is also said that King Sivalaya Chola, brought a Tirumaraiyaar by the name of ‘Deivasigamaniyaar’, from Tirukadavur to stay at Tiruvirundapuram (Pidariyur).

3) Poet Saint Saravana Munivar, born in a family of ‘Sivamaraiyaars’ and Disciple of ‘SathiyaGnani’, wanted to learn the history of Chennimalai and prayed God to help him. Then through a Divine Prompting Voice, Lord Muruga directed him to proceed to Kancheepuram and seek the information from the Maraiyavars. Thus, Saravana Munivar collected the history of Siragiri from the Copperplate inscriptions with the Maraiyavars and transcribed the contents and brought it to Chennimalai. He was wonder-struck to note the depiction in the Sthalapuranam come alive when he reached Chennimalai. 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. Lord Muruga appeared in front of him in two forms, with one face and six faces. The Samadhi of Saravana Munivar is at the hill temple.

4) When Paarvathy’s Marriage was to happen in the Himalayas, all devotees were expected to congregate at the northern end and hence, the southern end would be raised. Lord Shiva directed ‘Agasthya Munivar’ to proceed to Podigai Hill in the southern end. Agasthya asked whether he should not be watching the Marriage event, to which, Lord Shiva replied that since all would be moving towards the northern end, only if you proceed to the southern end will the earth balance. He also said that the marriage function will be shown to Agasthya at Podigai Hills.
Accordingly, while Agasthya was proceeding to the southern end, Idumbaasura (Leader of Asuraas like Soorapadhman), met him and requested to be accepted as a disciple. He also asked Agasthya as to what he can do for him to which Agasthya replied, ‘While coming south in a hurry, I have forgotten to get my ‘Sivapooja’ in the hills, you go there and get it for me’. Idumbaasura could not locate the ‘Sivapooja’, therefore, he carried the two hills (Sivagiri and Sathyagiri) in a ‘Kaavadi’ from there. He lost his way en route and reached Chennimalai. Then, during ‘Dwapara Yuga’, Chennimalai was known as ‘Pushpagiri’. Lord Muruga appeared before Idumbaasura in the form of a ‘RajKumar’ and showed the way to Podigai Hills. The hills carried by Idumbaasura in a Kaavadi is today’s ‘Pazhaniyampaadi’.

5) Moolavar is manifested in the form of ‘Dandayudapani’. Contrary to regular practice, here Moolavar pooja and Nivedya precede that of Lord Vinaya in the temple premises. It is Ancient Lore that since Lord Muruga was angry that Mango was not given to him and is seated on this hill, Nivedya and Pooja is performed first to Lord Muruga to pacify him.

Holy Teertham in Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple:

1. Indra Teertham
2. Agni Teertham
3. Imaya Teertham
4. Nirudhi Teertham
5. Varuna Teertham
6. Vaayu Teertham
7. Kubera Teertham
8. Eesana Teertham
9. Kaasi Teertham
10. Patchi Teertham
11. Maamanga Teertham
12. Agasthya Teertham
13. Sanbaga Teertham
14. Saamundi Teertham
15. Krithika Teertham
16. Markandeya Teertham
17. Varadi Teertham
18. Kali Teertham
19. Navaveera Teertham
20. Saradambika Teertham
21. Devi Teertham
22. Nedumaal Teertham
23. Brahma Teertham
24. Subrahmanya Teertham

Chennimalai Andavar has been worshipped in the four Yugas by Maha Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi, Durga Lakshmi and Devendran. Also, this hill has four names, four Virutcham, four Teertham and four Moorthy.

Important Festivals in Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple:

• Chittirai Vishu
• Chitra Pournami
• Vaikasi Visakam
• Aadi Amavasai
• Aadi Kritigai
• Kandar Shasti Soorasamharam
• Karthigai Deepam
• Thai Poosam- Ratham Ula
• Panguni Uthiram – Ratham Ula

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Donations:

A cheque or Demand Draft can be sent to
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
ARULMIGU SUBRAMANIYASWAMY THIRUKOIL THIRUPPANI,
CHENNIMALAI, PERUNDURAI TALUK,
ERODE DISTRICT.

For Online Transfer:
IFSC CODE – IDIB000C063
THIRUPPANI SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT NO – 565403019
NAME OF THE BANK – INDIAN BANK, CHENNIMALAI.

How to Reach Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple:

By Air:
The nearest airport is Coimbatore. From Coimbatore, when proceeding towards Erode, turn south from Perundurai and travel for 13 Kms to reach Chennimalai.

By Rail:
Chennimali is located at 25 Kms from Erode Railway Station and approx. 8 kms from Ingur Railway Station.

By Road:
From Erode to Perundurai Route, Chennimalai is located on the 30th Km.

Chennimalai Sri Murugan Temple Address:

Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple,
Chennimalai
Perundurai Taluk,
Erode District,
Phone: (04294) 250223, 292263, 292595.
E-mail: chennkovil@gmail.com