Murugan, Thenimalai
God
Murugan, facing east
Goddess
Valli and Devayanai facing east along with the main deity
Other Deities
Vinayaka, Idumban, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Nandi, Naagar. On the Circumambulation path around hill – Vinayaka, Andankaruppar, Idumban.
Murugan, Thenimalai is a beautiful east facing hill temple. There is a Vinayaka shrine below before the entrance arch. The temple can be reached through a flight of about 200 steps. The steps have a couple of mantapams on the way up. A 5 tiered Rajagopuram is at the entrance in the south on top of the hill. There are two ponds below on the rocky surface of the hill. The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful. The rocks in the mountains are amazing and worth taking a look. Devotees also do a Girivalam (Circumambulation of the hill) on auspicious days. On the path are a cave, grave of a Sidhdhar, Perumananda Swamy, Lance hill and Idumban shrine. The Hill top is frequented by Honey Bees and they build their combs there, thus the name of the hill is Theni(Honey) Malai(Hill).
Holy Water – Saravana Poigai – Pond below
Holy Tree – Ichi (Ficus amplissima or Ficus tinctoria)
History
Murugan, Thenimalai is an old temple that has been renovated and rebuilt in recent times. Historical information is not available as of now.
Legend
Local agriculturists equate the agricultural yield of the surrounding area based on the number of combs built by the honey bees on Thenimalai, the more the better yield. It is also believed that the honeybees are the ancestors of people here. In the olden days a King who was hunting in this area was suffering from stomach pain. There was no medicant here and a local suggested he be given the water from the pond here. Miraculously the king was cured after consuming it. He then built the temple for Lord Muruga in this hill. It is also said that the steps here are not hot even in the peak sunlight making the climb easier. It is also believed that Sidhdhars used to live here and they are still invisibly present around.
Directions
Murugan, Thenimalai is about 35 kilometers west of Pudukottai. It can be reached from Pudukottai or Ponnamaravathi via Konnaiyur.
Food and Stay
None locally. Closest is Pudukottai.