Balasubramanian Kanjamalai

Balasubramanian, Kanjamalai

Other Temples - Salem District

God

Gnana Sadguru Balasubramanian, facing west

Goddess

None

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Ayyappa, Siva, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Narada. Sanctum Niches – Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara

Balasubramanian Kanjamalai is a west-facing temple situated on the northwestern sides of the Kanjamalai hill. A short flight of steps starting from the Vinayaka shrine on the west side lead up to the temple. The Peacock mount of Lord Muruga is installed in the mandapam at the beginning of the climb. On top is a small 3 tiered gopuram that is the entrance to the Balasubramanian Kanjamalai temple. A single large and spacious prakaram houses the shrines, mandapams, and the sanctum sanctorum. On the left side as you enter are a row of shrines for Shiva (preaching Muruga), Mahavishnu, Brahma, Sage Narada, and a bell on top. In front of the entrance to the sanctum are a flagstaff and a Mandapam for the mount of Muruga, the Peacock. There is a pillared mandapam that is open on the sides, with two Dwarapalakas on the entrance of the inner Mandapam followed by an Ardha Mandapam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum is the main deity who is a young Lord Muruga seen standing without his consorts. There is a Shiva temple and an Amman temple below the hill along with a temple tank. The Kanjamalai hill behind is considered holy and devotees come to walk around (Girivalam) it on auspicious occasions, mainly on the full moon nights. The walk is about 18 kilometers and there are several shrines on the way. Kanjamalai is considered an abode of Sidhdhars and there are many caves where Sidhdhars used to live in the ancient days including Soolamunai Sidhdhar Cave, Agastyar Cave, and Kaalangi Sidhdhar Cave. The hill also has many medicinal plants.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Balasubramanian Kanjamalai is not a very old temple. Historical information is not available as of now.

Legend

The Kanjamalai area is where Kaalangi Sidhdhar, a disciple of Thirumoolar (the author of Thirumandhiram), lived. Kaalangi Sidhdhar is considered to be greatly proficient in various aspects of Siddha medicine and in the mystical craft of moving the soul from place to place and person to person. He was the guru of Bhoga Sidhdhar who created the Navapashana idol of Lord Muruga in Palani Hill. Kaalangi Sidhdhar is believed to have discovered the secret of a plant that provides youth and both he and Thirumoolar benefited from it. The place where the two of them regained their youth is nearby and the village is called Ilam Pillai (young boy). The Kanjamalai Hill is believed to have yielded Gold in the ancient days and it is also believed that the gold used to cover the shrine at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple came from here. This is also considered the place where King Adhiyamaan gave Gooseberry fruits to Avvaiyar. Balasubramanian Kanjamalai is a temple that has been built later by devotees.

Directions

Balasubramanian Kanjamalai is about 15 kilometers west of Salem on the road to Elampillai.

Stay and Food

None locally except small eateries. The closest for food and stay would be Salem.

Other Temples

Tamilnadu Temples