Swamimalai is a sylvan village, situated about five kilometers west of Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery.
Mythologically Swamimalai is considered fourth among the six padai veedu or sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Muruga. The presiding deity here
expounded the meaning of the Pranava mantra OM to his own Father Lord Siva Himself. Mythology says that saint Bhrugu before commencing an rduous penance; got the boon that anybody disturbing his mediation will
forget all his knowledge. Such was the power of the penance that the sacred fire emanating from the head of the saint reached up to the heavens, and the frightened devas surrendered to Lord Siva praying for his grace. The Lord extinguished the sacred fire by covering the saint’s head by hand. With the saint’s penance thus disturbed the Lord became oblivious of all his
knowledge and is said to have regained them by learning the Pranava mantra from Lord Muruga at this shrine.
Once when Brahma, the lord of all creations was proceeding to Kailasa, the ever-playful child Lord Muruga asked him for the meaning of the Pranava OM. When Brahma admitted his ignorance, the Lord imprisoned him. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released. When Muruga insisted that the
imprisonment was a just punishment for the ignorance of Brahma, Lord Siva asked him whether he himself knew the meaning of the primordial Pranava OM. Lord Muruga said that he knew the meaning of OM and can expound it to the latter only if he can accept him as guru and listen to the exposition as a devoted disciple. As Lord Siva acceded to the request of Lord Muruga and heard the exposition of OM as a disciple, the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan.
Midway up the steps is a life-sized icon depicting Lord Muruga imparting the Pranava Mantram to his divine father Lord Shiva who assumes a posture of folded hands and bowed head before his guru. In the sanctum sanctorum the presiding deity is represented by a six foot tall granite icon in a standing posture offering darshan to all his devotees
The temple is built on an artificial hillock of about sixty feet height with sixty beautifully laid stone steps representing the Hindu cycle of sixty years – leading to the Lord. In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarer and Goddesss Meenakshi. Hymns in praise of the presiding deity have been sung by saint Nakkeerar in Tirumurukatrupadaiand by Saint Arunagirnathar in Tiruppukazh.
The presiding deity Lord Sadaimudinathar and Goddess Perianayaki have been sung by Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in Tevaram. A unique feature of this temple is the presence of Sveta Vinayagar or White Pillaiyar made of the sea foam formed at the time of churning of the Milky Ocean by the devas and asuras to get the nectar. The sacred Cauvery River flowing nearby herself has turned around in a right semicircle around this shrine and hence the name Valanchuli or right twist.
Pazhamudircholai
This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Alwars.
At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi Amman. The Noopura Ganga atop the hill is said to
originated from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring. It is said that sitting in the madavi mandapa near the spring saint Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz.,
Cilappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, a standing testimony to the vivid description of the place’s natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.
This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri. Atop the hill Lord Muruga stands majestically in the temple as the Lord of the Hills popularly known as Kurinji Nilakkizhavan in Tamil.
Pazhamutircōlai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan’s Aarupadai Veedugal.
The great Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar had been tested by Lord Murga here. In order to play with Avvaiyar who was one of the very famous devotees of Lord Muruga, the Lord played a drama. One day Avvaiyar became tired while travelling because of very hot summer and so came under the shadow of a fruit tree. She was very hungry and thirsty. At that time, a small boy who was sitting on the tree asked her whether she wanted fruits from the tree. Avvaiyar told that she wanted fruits. At that time the boy asked Avvaiyar whether she wanted roasted fruits or unroasted fruits.
Avvaiyar who was a famous Tamil poet, litterateur and having in-depth knowledge in Tamil thought,” Is there any roasted fruit in the world?" and
decided that the small boy didn't have knowledge even about a fruit. But, as she was very tired, she didn't want to argue with the small boy and asked him to pick roasted fruits for her. The boy shook the tree and so fruits fell under the tree. The mud under the tree had stuck on the fruit. Avvaiyar took the fruits and blew on the fruit to remove the mud. It was observed that as the fruits were roasted and had become warm, Avvaiyar had blown the fruits to cool them. At that time, the small boy asked Avvaiyar whether the fruits were warm? Avvaiyar was astonished, "How had a small village cowboy played such an intelligent drama? She had thought that the small boy had no knowledge about fruits and how the fruits in the tree may become roasted fruits. But blowing the air on the fruit to remove the mud is like blowing air to reduce the heat as the fruit is roasted. What a beautiful comparison. Such a beautiful comparison would not have risen in her mind even though she had gained rich knowledge in Tamil." She asked the small boy, "Who are you actually?" The small boy disappeared and in his place, Lord Muruga appeared. Now Avvaiyar realized that it was a play of God and she
understood that there were more and more things that she had to learn. She bowed to Lord Muruga and requested him to bestow her with bountiful knowledge
Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. From days of yore Vel has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The idol of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Teyvayanai on both sides. The Vel made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with a great veneration by devotees.
Palani
The temple at Palani is an ancient one, situated at an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level. The deity of Palani Murugan is known as Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord having the Staff in his Hand.
One also gets to see the “Pathala Vinayakar” temple and the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple enroute the hill top. There are two broad Praharams in the hill top temple. Idols of Vallabha Vinayakar, Subramanya Vinayakar, Nakkerar, Arunagirinathar can be seen in the second Praharam that houses the Nayakkar Mandapam. The Rajagopuram is composed of five tiers.
Bypassing the Paravel Mandapam and Navaranga Mandapam, one can approach the sanctum sanctorum of Dhandayuthapani.
It is believed that a siddha named Bhogar, a younger contemporary of Agastyar, created the icon of the Lord which is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. It was made from nine different medicinal minerals, and all materials coming in contact with the icon gained curative properties.
However, in recent years it was discovered that certain parts of the icon were wasting away and hence all abishekams are performed to another icon placed in the main sanctum.
There is a sannidhi for Bhogar who was a saint who dedicated himself to Lord Muruga and contributed immensely.
There is a legend how Lord Murugan came to this sacred spot. Narada Muni, brought a golden mango to the divine court of Lord Siva when Lord Siva
was seated with his consort Parvati and His children Lord Vinayakar and Lord Subrahmanya. Narada gave the fruit to Lord Siva and implored Him to eat since it was a rare, miraculous gnanapazham - the fruit of wisdom. As a loving husband, Lord Siva gave it to Parvati and requested her to eat. As a loving mother, she wanted to give the fruit to her children. As there was only one fruit and it should not be cut, they announced a contest and said that the winner whoever completes one round of the globe first, will be given the fruit.
Lord Subrahmanya immediately mounted His peacock to go around the world. Lord Vinayakar circumambulated around His parents, symbolising the world, and got the fruit. On return, Lord Subrahmanya found that He was cheated. In anger, He renounced His family and came to this spot to settle forever. Lord Siva and Parvati came to pacify Him. They said, “Pazham Nee” (‘You are the Fruit’). Hence the name Palani is a popular syncopation of the two words mentioned.
Legend has it that Idumban, a disciple of Sage
Agasthayar, while carrying two hillocks by the name Sivagiri and Sakthigiri, on his shoulders as Kavadi, (tied on two sides of a pole and carried on one sholder) wanted to rest for a while and placed these hillocks on the ground.
Lord Muruga, mischievouslyimmobilized these hillocks and Idumban could carry the Kavadi no further. Following this as a tradition, the Muruga
Bakthas carry Kavadis of milk, Sandalwood, Flowers etc.
Lord Murugan presides by the name of “Kulandai Velayuthaswamy” at the Thiru Avinanguidi temple located at the foot of the hills at Palani. Climbing a flight of steps leads to the Palani hill temple which is approximately at a height of 450 feet over the ground level. Palani Aandavar awaits
majestically at the hill top temple to bless the thousands of Murugan devotees who come to worship him.
Other important shrines are Mayilam, Sikkal, Marudamalai, Kundrathur, Vadapalani, Kandakottam, Thiruporur, Vallakottai, Vayalur,
Thirumalaikoil, Pachaimalai and Pavalamalai
Lord Subramanya is the major deity among the Thiyyas of northern Kerala.
There are many temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Kerala.
Amongst them, the most important ones are Payyannur Subramanya Swamy temple in Payyanur and the Subramanya temple in Haripad Payyanur Shri Subramanya Swami temple is considered as mini-Palani. The astrology and Ganitha, Prashna Shastra Jyothish developed here, all because of
Subramanya swami, who is also called "Jyotishathin-Kaadaleee" meaning the Lord of Astrology. Best Known astrologers of this day are from
payyanur.
Lord Subramanya is worshipped with utmost devotion in districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in the state of
Karnataka. Rituals like nagaradhane are unique to this region. In Tulu Nadu there is the temple called Kukke Subramanya Temple. There Lord Murugan is worshipped as the Lord of the serpents. Aaslesha Bali, Sarpa Samskara with nagaprathista samarpa are major prayers here.
I In Sri Lanka, Hindus as well as
Buddhists revere the sacred historical Nallur Kandaswamy temple in Jaffna, and the temple at Kathirgamam located in the southern peninsula, where he is known as Katragama Deviyo (Lord of Katragama).
There are several temples dedicated to Lord Murugan in Malaysia, the most famous being the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur. There is a 42.7 m-high statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance to the Batu Caves, which is the largest Lord Murugan statue in the world. In the Murugan temples in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malays and Chinese enthusiastically join in the celebrations during Thaipusam festival
.
Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road, Singapore is a major Hindu temple where each year the Thaipusam festival takes place with devotees of Lord Muruga carrying Kavadis seeking penance and blessings of the Lord.
In United Kingdom, Highgate Hill Murugan temple is one of the oldest and most famous. In London, Sri Murugan temple in Manor Park is a well known temple. In Midlands, Leicester Shri Siva Murugan Temple is gaining popularity recently. There is place in Wales named as "Skandavel", where the primary deity is Lord Murugan.
In Australia, Sydney Murugan temple in Parramatta (Mays Hill) and Perth Bala Muruguan temple in Mandogalup are major Hindu temples for all Australian Hindus and Murugan devotees.
In New Zealand, there is a Thirumurugan Temple in Auckland and a Kurinji Kumaran Temple in Wellington, both dedicated to Lord Murugan. In the USA, Shiva Murugan Temple in Concord, Northern California and Murugan
Temple in North America are popular. In Toronto, Canada, Canada Kanthasamy Temple is known amongst many Hindus in Canada.
In Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a suburb of the city of Montreal in Canada, there is also a monumental temple of Murugan. The Sri Sivasubramaniar Temple, located in the Sihl Valley in Adliswil, is the most famous and largest Hindu temple in Switzerland
Hindus have great faith in light as the supreme symbol of God who dispels darkness, which is associated with evil, fear and ignorance. The light of the camphor, as it dispels this darkness, signifies the overcoming of evil through virtue, fear through courage and ignorance through knowledge. As the camphor burns itself out, so we pray that our own ego is burnt up likewise and that we should be redeemed from all our sins, problems, mental and physical stress and shall be left with everlasting peace, joy and bliss.
The Hindus believe that the coconut is the purest form of offering that one can render unto God. The fruit is unique in many respects.
The sweet, nectar-like water that it holds is pure and untouched by the human hand. The tree draws from its very base to its highest level. The
coarsely knit outer fibers of the coconut represent the jealousy, greed, lust, selfishness and other vices of man, which must be broken up and removed if one is to penetrate and reach the white inner purity and thereafter taste the sweet untouched nectar of spiritual purity and bliss.
No other fruit has the three distinct eyes of the coconut. These symbolise the Trinity of Evolution - Creation, Preservation and Dissolution. The eyes also represent the three eyes of man - the two physical eyes plus the third or 'inner eye' can penetrate the false, outer facade and reach the ultimate truth.
It alone distinguishes right from wrong.
The composition of the coconut is characteristic of the three elements of man. The hard, outer shell, with its coarse fibers, represents the physical composition. The inner white fruit represents man's psychological element, and the untouched water signifies his spiritual composition.
Having been offered to God by way of prayer, the coconut is then eaten by Hindus as blessed food or prasadh in the belief that it has now received divine vibrations from God and will therefore give us good health and prosperity.
Nothing in this world is everlasting. Everything is perishable. Even this physical body of ours ceases to function some day and is said to be dead.
Our mortal remains are then cremated and turn to ashes, or buried, which then rot and become dust
The Hindus place ashes on their foreheads to remind themselves, of this universal truth - nothing is everlasting ... the ultimate is dust. The Ashes serve to remind one to cast aside his petty jealousies, suspicions, selfishness and other evil qualities, and to live in harmony with one another - to love, respect and serve his fellow beings while he can.
The holy ash is so prepared that it richly abounds in medicinal properties and contains high curative qualities.
It can be placed on the forehead, rubbed over the body or taken internally to relieve pains, illnesses and anxiety.
When used in prayer with the manthras, it becomes highly potent, wards off evil, overcomes problems and brings happiness, peace and harmony to the individual as well as the household. Its power is truly dynamic.
The ash is the creation of the element fire, which dissolves everything. Thus the sacred ash dissolves all our ills and brings us good health, peace and prosperity.
Kanda Shasti Kavachamis a famous Tamil hymn in praise of Lord Murugan composed by Devaraja Swamigal.This is a rare and valuable treasure that helps one to be successful in day-to-day life.
Sashti is the day the Lord Subramanya defeated the demon Soorapadma and saved the Earth from his evils. The devas, who were tormented by
Soorapadman, rejoiced - they praised the Lord and prayed to him for six days.
In Kndasashti Kavacham the author prays to Lord Muruga to shower His grace. It is certain that by regular chanting of this kavacam all the
predicaments of life are resolved. Prosperity and plenty will abound. Peace will prevail at home. The devotee who reads it will enjoy every good fortune under the sun. As a warrior going to battle puts on armour to protect himself, the Kanda Sasti Kavacam also helps one to be safe in day-to-day life.
* An attempt is made to present the Tamil txt in roman script, together with English translation.
Kaappu / Venpa
Thuthiporkku val vinai pom, thunbam pom Nenjil pathiporkku selvam palithu kadithongum Nishtayum kaikoodum
Nimalar Arul kanthar sashti kavacham thanai amarar idar theera amaram purintha
kumaranadi nenjeh kuri.
Protection
The sufferings great will vanish for those who pray,
The riches will increase for those who paste it in their mind, All penance will surely bear fruit,
By this Sashti Kavacham written by the grace of God.
Mind, oh mine, meditate
On the feet of that Young God, Who waged the war,
To end the problems of devas, great.
Kavacham
sashtiyai nokka saravana bavanaar sishtarukku uthavum sengkathir velon paatham irandil panmani sathangai geetham paada kinkini yaada
maiya nadam seiyum mayil vahananaar
Kayil velal ennai kakavendru uvandu Vara vara vela yuthanar varuga varuga varuga miyoloan varuga Indiran mudhala Endisai potra mandira vadivel varuga varuga Armour
Welcome to thee Oh, Lord, Who rides on the peacock,
Who comes to help his devotees,
Who comes accompanied by sweet songs,
Who comes with pleasing sound of ringing anklets, Made by numerous bells tied to your feet.
And I pray Lord Saravana Bhava, To bless this poem on Sashti.
And I pray Lord Saravana Bhava, To bless this poem on Sashti.