Palamudircholai - Sri Subramanya Temple
Karu Jeyakumar <sambaviSPAMFILTER@srividya.org>
Friday October 29 2004
Pazhamudir cholai or Pazhamudir Solai - which was earlier known as Solai malai,
is a holy place near Madurai, in Tamilnadu - South India. It houses one of the
most sacred temples of Lord Muruga - also known as Arumugan, Karthikeya, Skanda
and Kumara - and is the sixth Aarupadai Veedu . Saint poet Nakkerar, in his
songs in praise of Lord Senthil Andavar, places Pazhamudircholai in the sixth
place amongst the six battle places ( Arupadaiveedu ) that Lord Muruga has
fought to win over evil.
- Legends - Puranas and Mythology There is a famous legend
associated with the temple - it is said that Avvaiyar, a famous tamil poet and a
Muruga Bakthai(Muruga Devotee), came here when her knowledge was put to test by
Lord Muruga, taking the form of a small boy. It is firmly believed that this
episode took place at a tree near the temple and the tree is worshipped even
today.
- Nakeerar, in his Tamil writings compilation called Thirumurugatruppadai,
more than 2000 years ago, and saint Poet Arunagirinaathar, who has composed
several verses on Murugan, have both sung in great praise of Lord of
Pazhamudircholai. Location and Temple Precincts It is a Hill temple, located on
the top of Azhagar malai hills, on the South west of Madurai in Tamil Nadu,
India. There is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu at the foot of the hills,
popularly known as Azhagar Koil, and is one of the 108 sacred temples dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. The Pazhamudir Solai temple is accessible by Road - Regular
buses are available from Madurai.
- The temple construction that stands today - is of a much recent origin and
presents without elaborate facades and walls. Atop the hill, there is another
temple called Rakkayi Amman temple - which is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. A
small spring - kinown as Noopura Ganga runs near this temple. The waters of this
mountain spring are considered to be sacred and devotees to the Subramanya
temple of Pazhamudir solai do not fail to take a bath in this holy spring. Lord
Muruga presents himself as Sri Subrahmanya, along with his celestial consorts -
Valli and Deivayani (also known as Devasena, the daughter of Indran) in the main
sanctum sanctorum. Here, Valli is considered to be ICHCHA SAKTHI (Power of
will), Deivayani to be KRIYA SAKTHI (Power of doing) and Lord Muruga himself is
considered to be GNANA SAKTHI (Power of Knowledge). It is believed that the Lord
was worshipped in the form of a Vel in ancient times. The stala vriksham for
Pazhamudircholai temple is the Naval Maram (reverred by Avvaiyar).
- History of the Temple There are conflicting opinion among
the scholars as to the location of the actual Pazhamudircholai temple - though
the one near madurai is now considered to be authentic by many. No elaborate
history is available for this temple as the temple itself is of recent origin -
though Muruga worship here is several hundered years old.
- Temple timings & Festivals Daily pujas to the deities
are performed six times a day (six kalams). Forenoon : Ushat Kalam, Kalasandhi
and Uchikala poojas are performed in the and the afternoon poojas commencing
from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the
night. Pankuni Uttiram festival in March; Visakam festival in May ;Skanda
Shashti festival in October ; Tiru Karthikai festival in Nov/December
