Vayalur Murugan Temple
| Vayalur Murugan Temple | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Tiruchirapalli |
| Deity | Subramanya Swamy (Murugan) |
| Location | |
| Location | Vayalur, Tiruchirapalli |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian |
| Creator | Chola Dynasty |
The Vayalur Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati located near the city of Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, India.
History
This temple is around 1200 years old built during the reign of the Cholas.
Architecture
The main deity in the temple is Muruga, it is behind the Moolavar Shiva Sannithy. The other Sannithys in this temple are Moolavar arulmigu Athi Nathar (Lord Shiva). Agni Theertham also known as Shakthi Theertham. According to a legend, Lord Muruga himself created this tank with his Velayudham. Sthala Vriksham: Vanni Maram (Vanni tree) is seen in the left side from the entrance of rajagopuram.
Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m., Muthalam Kalam at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Rendam Kalam at 8:00 p.m. and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m.. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Kachabeswarar and Anjanatchi. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. The eleven-day Vaikasi Visakam during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June), Thai Poosam during the Tamil month of Thai (January - February), Panguni Uthiram during the month of Mar - Apr, Vaikasi Visakam , the birth star of Murugan during the month of May - June, Adi Kirthikai during the month of July/August, Thiru Karthikai during the month of oct/nov and Kanda shasti November are the most prominent festivals in the temple.[1]
Literary mention
Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century Tamil poet born in Tiruvannamalai. He spent his early years as a rioter and seducer of women. After ruining his health, he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself from the northern tower of Annamalaiyar Temple, but was saved by the grace of god Murugan.[2] He became a staunch devotee and composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan, the most notable being Thirupugazh.[3][4] Arunagirinathar visited various Murugan temples and on his way back to Tiruvannamalai, visited Vayalur and sung praises about Murugan.[5]
Notes
- ^ "Sri Subramanyaswami temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ V.K., Subramanian (2007). 101 Mystics of India. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 109. ISBN 81-7017-471-6.
- ^ Aiyar, P.V.Jagadisa (1982). South Indian Shrines: Illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 191–203. ISBN 81-206-0151-3.
- ^ Zvelebil, Kamil (1975), Tamil literature, Volume 2, Part 1, Netherlands: E.J. Brill, Leiden, p. 217, ISBN 90-04-04190-7
- ^ Zvelebil 1991, p. 53
References
- Zvelebil, Kamil V. (1991). Tamil traditions on Subramanya - Murugan (1st ed.). Chennai, India: Institute of Asian Studies.