Subramanyaswamy Alavaimalai

Subramanyaswamy Alavaimalai is a west-facing hill temple on the western side of a hill called Alavaimalai that rises to about 800 meters. There is a footpath going to the temple which is at an elevation of about 500 meters. At the base of the hill is a mandapam leading onto the steps, numbering about 1500, going up. There is a Vinayaka shrine here. The steps are steep at some points, but the general climb is not very taxing. There is a rest mandapam a little way up. The temple is not visible from the path almost till you reach it. Subramanyaswamy Alavaimalai temple is half up this hill and the name of the hill is for this reason – Ara Vazhi Malai (Halfway uphill), which became Alavaimala over time. There are Vinayaka idols and Naagar idols installed outside the temple on top. The west-facing temple has an entrance from the west with a peacock mount installed in front. The main deity is alone in a standing posture and is about 4 feet tall. The exit from the mandapam in front is through another small door on the south side. The temple is situated in a single prakaram running around the sanctum sanctorum and mandapam. Further up is a rock carving of Anjaneya carrying the Sanjeevi Hill. Nearby is a rock pond. Below is the Alavaipatti village is a temple for Lord Shiva as Ekambaranathar.