City Location: Tiruthangal

Temple History:
The shrine of Lord Muruga was built by a devotee named Arumuga Thambiran.  He used to visit Palni each year for darshan of Lord Muruga.  During one such annual padayatra, he could not cross a canal on the way as he grew old.  He stayed there itself and performed pujas.  When he dug the earth to make oven for cooking, he got gold coins which he used to build the temple.  People celebrate Muruga of this place-Tiruthangal- as powerful and graceful as He is in Palni.

Temple’s Speciality:
River Arjuna was created by Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers.

Festival:
Chithirai festival in April-May, 11 day Karthikai festival in November-December, special festival for Palaniandi, Tiruvilakku puja to Mother Meenakshi on all Poornima-full moon days, procession of Lord Shiva on Pradosham days – 13th day either from new moon or full moon day – Abishek and pujas to Mother Durga on all Tuesdays, special pujas on Tamil and English new year days, Deepavali, Pongal are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The crowd is huge on New Moon, Full Moon days and Pradosha days in the temple.

Prayers and Poojas:
Marriages are finalized for those praying on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Pradosha worship cures diseases.  Women joining Poornima –Full Moon- puja are blessed with longevity of their husbands ensuring blessing of longevity of their Mangalya sutras.  Praying Lord Muruga on Karthika star days reduces the intensity of ill fates.

Devotees offer hair (tonsuring) to Lord Muruga. Offer Dhoti and Sari to Lord and Mother with special abhishek and aaradhana. Feed the devotees visiting the temple (annadhana) and distribute the nivedhana to the devotees.

Temple Opening Time:
The Temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Travel Guide:
Tiruthangal is 24 km from Virudhunagar. Bus facilities are available conveniently.

Temple Address:
Sri Karunellinathaswami Temple, Tiruthangal, Virudhunagar district.

Virudhunagar Accomodation:
♦ Madhushini Lodge: +91-4562 265 366
♦ Mari’s Lodge: +91-4562- 245 537
♦ Jeeva Lodge: +91-4562243 699

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Lakshminarayanar temple
♦ Sri Vaidyanathar temple
♦ Sri Vaikundamurthi temple
♦ Sri Nallathangal temple
♦ Sri Angala Easwari temple
♦ Sri Karunellinathaswamy (Murugan) temple
♦ Sri Namperumal temple

City Location:  Erode

Temple’s Speciality:
This is the sacred place where Sri Skanda Sashti Kavacham was staged. A bullock cart created the marvel of ascending this hill temple. Water for Tirumanjanam is taken to the temple on bullocks from the foot of the hills. Even when monsoon fails and water sources dry up due to scorching summer, water flows in plenty from a spring on the southern side of the temple with Lord Vinayaka gracing the place. Such a marvel takes place once in 12 years. The spring water is praised as Mamanga theertham.

Festival:
15 day Thaipoosam festival (January-February) draws a crowd in lakhs while the 7 day Panguni Uthiram in March-April and 6 day Skanda Sashti in October-November draw crowds in thousands. Monthly Kruthika days and days related to Muruga worship, Tamil and English New Year days, Deepavali are days of festivals in the temple.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Address:
Sri Subramaniaswami Temple, Chennimalai, Erode district.
Phone No: +91-4294 – 250223

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Magudeswarar temple
♦ Sri Adikesa Vara Perumal temple
♦ Sri Adinarayana Perumal temple
♦ Sri Amarapaneeswarar temple
♦ Sri Vettri Valayuthaswami temple
♦ Sri Arudra Kabaleeswarar temple
♦ Sri Bannari Mariamman temple

City Location: Seelanayakanpatti, Oothumalai

Temple’s Speciality:
Sage Agastya wrote the Tamil Grammar Agathiyam from this place only.

Festival:
Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June and Skanda Sashti in Iypasi – October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers and Poojas:
Those praying in this temple are blessed with progress in business and prosperity.
Devotees perform abishek to Lord Muruga and offer clothes.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Travel Guide:
Place: Oothumalai Murugan Temple is 4 km from Salem on the Seelanaickenpatti bypass road.

Temple Address:
Sri Balasubramaniar Temple, Seelanaickenpatti, Oothumalai, Salem district.

Accommodation in Salem:
♦ Ganesh Mahal; +91-427-233 2820-23, Charges from Rs. 470 to Rs. 990
♦ National Hotel; +91-427-235 3900, 235 3800, Charges from Rs. 385 to Rs. 1200
♦ Windsor Tasle; +91-427-241 5060, Charges from Rs. 1095 to 3495
♦ Hotel Raj Castle; +91-427-233 3532, 233 1108, Charges from Rs. 400 to Rs. 650
♦ Veda Lodge; +91-427-226 0675, 226 0482; Charges from Rs. 190 to Rs. 650

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Arulmigu Veerabathiraswamy Temple
♦ Sri Veera Anjaneyar Temple
♦ Sri Thalayatti Vinayagar Temple
♦ Sri Prasanna Venkataramanar Temple
♦ Sri Dandayuthapani Temple
♦ Sri Sukhavaneswarar Temple
♦ Sri Kodandapani Ramar Temple

City Location: Ramanathapuram

Temple History:
Many years ago, there was a bodhi tree in the place where the temple now exists. A vel (Lord Muruga’s weapon) was planted under the tree and pujas were performed. As this was very near a court, devotees passing through the Vel were praying for a verdict in their favour. Those who could not go for legal remedies and those innocents implicated in criminal cases worshipped Lord Muruga in the form of His Vel for remedies and got relieved from the hardships they were in. That means they got a life and way. Hence, Muruga in this temple came to be known to the devotees as Vazhividum Murugan – Muruga showing the way. He graces His devotees as their constant companion throughout their life, people believe.

Temple’s Speciality:
Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka jointly grace the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum. This is a very rare form that two deities are together in the sanctum sanctorum. The other significance in the temple is that Chayadevi, Mother of Saturn planet also graces the devotees in the form of a tree also called Chaya tree.

Festival:
Panguni Uthiram (March-April), Thai Poosam (January-February) and Tirukarthikai (November-December) are the festivals observed in the temple.

Prayers and Poojas:
Brothers fighting for partition of properties and going for legal steps pray here for a solution. The prayer leads to peaceful compromise between them. Lord Muruga shows the way – Vazhividum Murugan.
Devotees offer abishek and clothings (Vastras) to Lord Muruga.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Temple Travel Guide:
Place: Ramanathapuam is 140 Km from Madurai. The temple is just near the bus stand.

Temple Address:
Sri Vazhividum Murugan Temple, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram district.
Phone No: +91-98948 87503

Ramanathapuram Accommodation:
Rajarajeswari Tower; +91-4567-232 232, mobile-99438 69265, Charges from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1800
Hotel Sky Palace (A/C); +91-4567-232 409, 231 300, Charges from Rs. 335 to Rs. 870
Hotel Haja Palace (A/C); +91-4567-225 590, 225 970, Charges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1200
Hotel Boss; (A/C); +91-4567-222 812, Charges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 600
Hotel Ruby; A/C); +91-4567-223 042, 225 230, Charges Rs. 200 to Rs. 660.

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Adhi Ratneswarar temple
♦ Sri Attala Sokkanathar temple
♦ Sri Sankaranar temple
♦ Sri Aiyappan temple
♦ Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal temple
♦ Sri Nambunayaki Amman temple
♦ Sri Jadamaguda Theertha Easwarar temple

City Location: Chettikulam

Temple History:
The Devas appealed to Lord Shiva in Kailash to protect them from the terrorism of the demons.  Mother Parvathi was also present in the court.  Lord Muruga rose up and promised to destroy them and got the Shakti weapon called Vel from His Mother.  He returns back to his Mother to announce his victory over the demons and the destruction of their chief Sura.  As a token of Her congratulations to the victorious son, She gave the sugarcane held by Her.  Lord Muruga came to this temple with this sugarcane.

Temple’s Speciality:
The presiding deity is a swayambumurthi. On 3rd, 4th and 5th days of Masi (February-March) the rays of setting Sun fall on the deity. During the setting time, the rays will fall on the deity from foot to the face. Lord Dhandayuthapani graces here with hair in His head. The idol is 4 feet tall holding a sugarcane with 11 parting lines called kanukkal, a form nowhere available in Muruga temples.

Festival:
10 day Panguni Uthiram festival in March-April with Mandakapadi and car procession each day drawing crowd in lakhs; 10 day Thaipoosam car festival; festivals to the steps of the temple on the first day of chithirai month – April-May with lamp puja for each step; Vaikasi Visakam-conch abishek with special pujas in May-June, 7 day Aipasi Skanda Sashi festival in October-November with a Laksharchana (chanting the thousand names of the Lord 100 times repeatedly) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers and Poojas:
People pray here for happy wedlocks, child boon, for remedy from illness and other physical problems, favourable results in litigations, recovery of things lost, trade problems etc. and they strongly believe that Lord Muruga offers just solutions.  The other natural advantage is that devotees go by steps to the temple breathing the healthy herbal breeze.

Tonsuring, carrying Kavadi, offering things equal to their weight (Tulabaram), contributing cattle are the prayer commitments followed by devotees. Those getting the child boon realized, make cradles of sugarcane and tie them in the temple. Some offer Vel – the weapon of Lord Muruga- made of silver and offer it to the Lord. Abishek is offered in milk, curd, green coconut, lime fruits, sandal, panchamirtham made of five ingredients, oil etc. They perform Kalasabishekam (kalasa-small metal pots) on Sashti days – 6th day either from new moon or full moon days. Shanmuga Homa is devotionally performed by devotees. Feeding the visitors and usual abisheks are also performed by devotees.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Address:
Sri Dhandayuthapani Temple, Chettikulam, Perambalur district.
Phone No: +91-4328 268 008, 99441 17450, 98426 99378

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Madhurakalaiamman Temple
♦ Sri Dhandayuthapani Temple
♦ Sri Ekambareswarar temple

Urchavar: Subramaniaswami

City Location: Enkan

Temple History:
Lord Muruga demanded Lord Brahmma to explain the meaning of Pranava Mantra.  He could not.  Lord Muruga put Brahamma in prison and took up the creation job too.  Though Brahmma was released later, he could not get back His assignment.  Brahamma began worshipping Lord Shiva with His eight eyes.

When Lord Shiva asked Muruga to leave the job to Brahamma, Muruga politely refused saying that He was not qualified for the job as He did not know the meaning of Pranava.  Lord Shiva advised Muruga to teach the Mantra to Brahmma and reinstate Him in his place.  Lord Muruga obeyed His Father and taught Pranava to Brahamma.  As Brahmma worshipped Lord Shiva with His eight eyes (En Kan), the place also came to be known as Brahmmapuram.  So goes the sthala purana – story of the land.

Temple’s Speciality:
In the month of Panguni (March-April), the rays of Sun fall on Lord Brahmmapureeswarar for three days. It is noteworthy that the idols of Lord Muruga in Sikkal, Ettukudi and Enkan temples were sculpted by the same artist showing the Lord on His peacock vehicle. The idols are made with rare sculptural skill that the whole weight of the idol rests on a single leg of the peacock. A rare craftsmanship.

Festival:
14 day Thai Poosam-Brahmmotsavam in January-February is grandly celebrated in the temple. A king, Simmavarman by name was cursed with a Lion’s face by Sage Brugu. For relief, the king prayed to Enkan Lord Muruga bathing in the Vruddha Cauveri River (Vottaru). On a Thain Poosam star day (January-February) combined with Full Moon, Lord Muruga appeared before the king and restored his human face.

This festival day is grandly celebrated in the temple carrying Kavadi on their shoulders. Other festivals are monthly Kruthika star days, 8 day Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (October-November), Karthikai in November-December, Masi Karthikai (February-March), Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days.

Prayers and Poojas:
Devotees pray for restoration from impaired vision.  They also undertake fasting on Tuesdays for good health free from any ailment and on Kruthika star days for prosperity.  Those facing adverse aspects of planet Jupiter light ghee lamps on Thursdays and are blessed with wisdom, education and prosperity.  Devotees also pray for happy wed lock, child boon, job opportunities, trade developments and promotion in jobs.  Lord Muruga takes all care of his devotees.

Devotees perform abishek to Lord Muruga with milk, curd, honey, rosewater, sandal, turmeric, oil, scented powders, panchamirtham made of five ingredients etc. They carry Kavadi, offer hair by tonsuring, sheep and cocks and their farm yields. They offer vastras to Lord Brahmmapureeswara and Mother Periyanayaki. Arrange feeding, distribution of Prasad to visiting devotees and offer what they could for the maintenance and renovation projects of the temple.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Temple Address:
Sri Subramaniaswami Temple, Enkan, Tiruvarur district.
Phone No: +91 -4366-278 531, 278 014, 94884 15137

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Thoovai Nathar temple
♦ Sri Kozhundeeswarar temple
♦ Sri Koneswarar temple
♦ Sri Agnipureeswarar temple
♦ Sri Uthirapasupatheeswarar temple
♦ Sri Parijatha Vaneswarar temple
♦ Sri Ramanathaswami temple

City Location: Chengam, Vilvarani

Temple History:
Years ago, there was a priest here performing pujas in many temples in this region. He was using a horse to maintain his schedules and used to go to Tiruthani Muruga Temple for worship on Kruthika star days each month along with an assistant priest. On one such day, he could not go to Tiruthani due to some obstacle. Both were very sad. Lord Muruga appeared in their dream when they were asleep at night and told them that He was in the Nakshatra Hill in the form of a Naga (snake) and directed them to erect a temple and conduct pujas on Kruthika Star days.

Both searched for the Swayambu idol in the particular hill and found a Linga guarded by a snake. On seeing the two, the Naga became a statue as an umbrella over the Lord’s head. The two priests erected a small tent and began the worship. In course of time, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai idol was made and installed. As the snake gave shade to Muruga as an umbrella, the idol was so designed in the same way. Lord Muruga graces in the temple in the form of a Swayambu Linga.

Temple’s Speciality:
Lord Muruga graces in the temple in Swyambulinga form.

Festival:
All monthly Kruthika days and the Kruthika in particular in the month of Aadi (July-August) are festival days in the temple. 10 day Panguni Uthiram (March-April) is very famous here when Lord Muruga comes down from the hills on the fifth day. The car festival takes place on the seventh day. A car is specially made for the festival at a cost of Rs. 16 lakhs.

Prayers and Poojas:
Those facing adverse effects from the aspects of Rahu (Dragon’s tail) and Kethu (Dragon’s head) worship Lord Muruga here for relief.
Devotees offer abishek and vastras (clothes) to the Lord.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Travel Guide:
Bolur is 35 km from Tiruvannamalai and 45 km from Vellore. Bus facility is available from both ends. From Bolur, Vilwarani can be reached by bus bound to Chengam. The temple is near the bus stop. There are 300 steps to reach the temple at the hill top.

Temple Address:
Sri Subramaniar Temple, Chengam, Vilwarani, Tiruvannamalai district.

Tiruvannamalai Accomodation:
♦ Arunai Ananda; +91-4175-237 275, 238 726: charges from Rs. 1200 to Rs. 3800
♦ Trishul Hotel; +91-4175-222 219, 225 500, mobile +91-94445-19227: Charges from Rs. 380 to Rs. 1500
♦ Hotel Ramakrishna; +91-4175-250 005, 250 006: Charges from Rs. 295 to Rs. 1250
♦ Arunai Lodge; +91-4175-254 999, mobile +91-94432-29553: Charges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000
♦ Akash Lodge; +91—4175-252 151 – 2: Charges from Rs. 125 to Rs. 275

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Arunachaleswar temple
♦ Sri Pandurangan temple
♦ Sri Thalapureeswarar temple
♦ Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Perumal temple
♦ Sri Kanagagiriswarar temple
♦ Sri Renugambal temple
♦ Sri Ramachandra Perumal temple

Urchavar: Shanmugha

City Location: Rathnagiri

Temple’s Speciality:
Saint Arunagiriar had sung the praise of this Lord describing Him as an incomparable genius gem. As the Lord is a Bala – child, Surasamharam does not take place during the Skanda Sashti festival.

Festival:
Aadi Kruthikai in July-August and Skanda Sashti in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Temple Address:
Sri Balamurugan Temple, Rathnagiri-632 517. Vellore district.
Phone No: +91- 4172 – 266 350, 266 330, 94436 25887.

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Vilwanatheswarar temple
♦ Sri Pallikonda Perumal temple
♦ Sri Manikandeeswarar temple
♦ Sri Chalanatheeswarar temple
♦ Sri Subramanyaswami temple
♦ Sri Balamurugan temple
♦ Sri Balasubramaniaswami temple

Urchavar: Muthukumarar

City Location: Senjeri

Temple’s Speciality:
The speciality in the temple is that Lord Vishnu graces with a Shivalinga in in His right hand. The Navagraha shrine has Sun God facing west with other planets facing Him. Lord Velayuthar graces with His 12 hands, holding a flag with Cock symbol and also a Cock in his left hand.

Festival:
11 day Brahammotsavam in Thai (January-February), Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Tirukarthikai in November-December, Skanda Shashti in October-November, Shivarathri and Masi Magam in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Temple Opening Time:
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Temple Travel Guide:
People from Coimbatore should reach Palladam and then proceed to Senjerimalai 60 km from here. It is 20 km from Tirupur. Direct buses are available from Tirupur.

Temple Address:
Sri Velayuthar Temple, Senjeri, Coimbatore district.
Phone No: +91- 4255- 266 515, 268 515,268 415

Coimbatore Accomodation:
♦ Hotel Blue Star: +91-422-223 0636, 223 0635 ( 8 lines )
♦ Ambica Lodge: +91-422-223 1043, 223 1660
♦ Hotel Ashwini: +91-422- 223 3405, 223 5454
♦ Hotel ESS Paradise: +91-422-223 0276 ( 3 lines )
♦ Sri Lakshmi: +91-422-223 6339 ( 6 lines) 433 4100
♦ Sri Murugan: +91-422 2473 ( 5 lines)
♦ Hotel Vaidurya: +91-422-429 7777
♦ Hotel Ramoos: +91-422-439 3000, 439 3311
♦ Hotel AP: +91-422-230 1773 – 5 lines.

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Amaneeswarar temple
♦ Sri Nanjundeswarar temple
♦ Sri Aranganathaswami temple
♦ Sri Kalyanavaradarajar temple
♦ Sri Thandeswarar temple
♦ Sri Dattatreyaswami temple
♦ Sri Mariamman temple

City Location: Kandaasramam

Phone No: +91- 44-2229 0134, +91- 2229 3388, +91- 94446 29570.

Nearest Temples:
♦ Sri Ashtalakshmi temple
♦ Sri Kantha swamy temple
♦ Sri Tiruvalleswarar temple
♦ Sri Marundeeswarar temple
♦ Sri Masilamani Easwarar temple
♦ Sri Vadapalani Andavar temple
♦ Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal temple