Kathirvel Murugan Sornamalai

Kathirvel Murugan, Sornamalai

Other Temples - Thoothukudi

God

Kathirvel Murugan, facing east

Goddess

None

Other Deities

Manicka Vinayaka, Dandayudhapani, Bhairava

Kathirvel Murugan Sornamalai is an east-facing Hill temple that is climbed from the north side by a flight of steps. There is a road going all the way up to the top. The main deity here is a Vel (Lance), the weapon of Lord Muruga brought from Sri Lanka by a Devotee and installed here. There is an outer Prakaram around the temple on the hilltop and an inner prakaram around the main sanctum sanctorum. The temple has beautiful views all around and a quiet evening spent here can be a wonderful experience. On the western side of this hill near the base is a cave called Tiger Cave. Some idols and pictures have been kept here by devotees.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

The Sornamalai Hill has been the abode of Lord Muruga as a formless form and considered as a Vel (his weapon) for a very long time. Later a handful of earth from Sri Lanka along with a Vel was brought and installed here at Kathirvel Murugan Sornamalai. The Tiger Cave below was the abode of Sages and Sidhdhars who performed penance in the ancient past.

Legend

During the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I, the area was afflicted by severe drought and the people prayed for relief from the misery. The Lord appeared amidst the rays of sunlight in the form of a Vel (Lance – Lord Muruga’s weapon) in the sky above the hill. From then the hill has been worshiped as the abode of Lord Muruga in the formless form.

Directions

Kathirvel Murugan Sornamalai is on the southern side of Kovilpatti and visible some distance away. The best approach road for vehicles is from the NH 44 Kovilpatti bypass by taking a right before entering the town area when you come from the Tirunelveli side. As there are a few roads available we recommend you follow our map to reach the temple. The steps are from inside the town through very narrow streets quite difficult to drive a car.

Stay and Food

Kovilpatti has a few tea and snack shops. Kovilpatti is famous for a snack called ‘Murukku’. The closest for food and stay is Tirunelveli.

Other Temples

Tamilnadu Temples