Murugan Vallimalai

Other Temples – Vellore District

God

Subramaniaswamy, facing east

Goddess

Valliammai, in the shrine at the base of the hill, facing east.

Other Deities

Vinayagar, Arumuga, Arunagirinadar, Cave Sidhar shrine, Nambirajan-father of Valli and the nine warriors (Nava Veeras) of Muruga are in the front mandap

Murugan Vallimalai temple is on a hill about 15o meters tall. Murugan Vallimalai is a cave temple on top and is east facing. There is a large temple tank below the hill. Spots where Valli is believed to have spent time is still present and considered important. The hill temple is reached by climbing 444 steps. Inside the forested hill is a pond (Kumari Theertham) which is said to be never touched by sunlight. A natural rock formation (Ganesha Giri) in the form of Ganesha is seen here. There are also some Jain Caves in the area which together with Murugan Vallimalai cave temple are under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Holy water (Theertham) – Saravana Poigai, Kumari Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vengai (Pterocarpus marsupium)

History

Murugan Vallimalai temple is a rock carved structure belonging to the Pallava Era. Arunagirinathar (15th century CE) has sung the praise of Lord Muruga here at Murugan Vallimalai in his Thirupugazh. Murugan Vallimalai has a relation with the Melpadi Shiva Temple.

Legend

Valli (the daughter of Vishnu and Mahalakshmi in their earthly form of a sage and deer respectively) is said to have been discovered as a baby here at Murugan Vallimalai by the hunter Nambirajan, hence the name of the place. Muruga and Valli are believed to have met here at Murugan Vallimalai and married at Thiruttani.

While eating the food provided by Valli here Lord Muruga developed hiccups and requested for water that has not been touched by the rays of the Sun and Moon. Valli is believed to have created the Kumari Theertham which to this day remains untouched by the rays of the Sun and Moon.

It is said that once when the slab of one of the Mantapas on the climb up was attempted to be moved for renovation, vision of sages in meditation was seen and thus has not been renovated till now.

Directions

Murugan Vallimalai is in the Ranipet-Thiruvallam-Ponnai road, before Ponnai.

Stay and Food

Simple food available at local shops. Nearest lodging is Ranipet and Vellore.

Other Temples

Murugan, Vallimalai