Dr. H. Santhosha Kumari*
Abstract
Temples in the world are different in their construction. It is different from temple to temple, country to country, place to place and religion to religion. Nearly 1200 years back the village Vellimalai was covered with thick forest. At that time, there lived a saintly person on the hill. He had the divine power of healing chronic diseases. So the surrounding people visited this noble soul for getting his blessings and got their diseases cured. He was known as a great ‘Siddhar’. He lived in a cave which was at the foot of the present steps on the eastern side of the shrine. One day, a small crowd of the people came to see the siddhar. He came out of the fire cave and reached the top of the hill where the sanctity of Sanatorium of the present Muruga Temple is situated. He then miraculously disappeared. From that incidence, the people believed that the holy person was none other than the God himself. From that time onwards, people came there on every Friday to worship the God by lighting lamps there and a small temple was built. In due course it developed as a pilgrimage centre of Lord Muruga.
Introduction
Tamil Nadu is famous for architectural temples and koburas. Even before Sangam Age, temples were constructed in Tamil Nadu. These temples were constructed with soil and wood. During the period of Nayanmars and Allvars more temples were constructed in Tamil Nadu. Mahendravarma Pallava changed the method of construction of temples. During the period, temples were constructed on the rocks and even the construction of the cave temples began. They are the important places for the purification of human mind. Temples in the world are different in their construction. It is different from temple to temple, country to country, place to place and religion to religion.
Temple of Lord Muruga
The temple of Lord Muruga at Vellimalai, on the 200 feet hill, comprises of about 30 acres area.1 The top surface has an area of one acre where the temple stands and 106 steps have been recently constructed from the lower plain. From the top of the hill, the following villages namely Thirunainarkurichi, Sethuvoor and Manavilai are visible. To enable the devotees to visit this temple, there are bus services plying from Monday Market. Apart from this, mini bus-services also touch this spot.2
History of the Temple
Nearly 1200 years back the village Vellimalai was covered with thick forest.3 The place had no basic facilities. This hill was seldom visited by human beings. The surrounding of the hill was covered with Kurunthootti shrubs and Palmyra trees. At that time, there lived a saintly person on the hill. He had the divine power of healing chronic diseases. So, the surrounding people visited this noble soul for getting his blessings and got their diseases cured. He was known as a great ‘Siddhar’. He lived in a cave which was at the foot of the present steps on the eastern side of the shrine. He never took any food. The people in the vicinity lit fire with wood on the entrance of the cave. In the light of the flame they noticed the saint, was sitting with open mouth. K. Durai Swamy Nadar, of Varikkathathu reported that Ponniyan, the son of Subbiah Nadar from this village did services to this holy man.4
One day, a small crowd of the people came to see the Siddhar. He came out of the fire cave and reached the top of the hill where the sanctity of Sanctorum of the present Muruga Temple is situated. He then miraculously disappeared suddenly without seeing any body’s eyes. From that incidence, the people believed that the holy person was none other than the God himself. From that time onwards, people came there on every Friday to worship the God by lighting lamps there. A small temple was built by erecting a thatched shed on the hill top.5
The devotees felt the need of improving the thatched shed temple. With their service of enthusiasm they erected a tile structure for the temple. People of all communities namely Nadars, Brahmins, Washermen, Parayas, came on every Friday and worshipped the idol of Muruga. Till 1937, the people worshipped the God in the tiled building. After that, the devotees revealed their intention of building a full structured temple in this place. At that time there was no facility for the devotees either to take rest or to eat food. There was hardly a place to sit for some time. There was no road or path to reach the temple. A strong plan was developed then in the minds of the surrounding villagers to improve this place.
Construction of the New Temple
The credit of the development of the Vellimalai Temple goes to Mr. A. Palaniyandi Pillai of Thalakulam who was a staunch Muruga devotee. With his earnest effort, he collected Rs. 100/- as contribution from the people of the surrounding places and handed over the amount to Mr. Unnithon, Chairman of Kochi Devasam Board, as caution money and requested him to erect a new temple by replacing the tiled building. Mr. Swaminatha Pillai became the Chairman of the Temple Endowment Committee and Mr. Brammananda Swamy Nadar became its Secretary. With the help and interest of these members who hailed from South Travancore, a new mandapam was built for the temple.6
Advent of roads
As a matter of fact, there was no road or path-ways then to reach this temple. With the efforts of the local people and by the grace of Lord Muruga, two roads were laid, one through Kalpadi and another from Manavilai to reach the base of the hill. There was a great hurdle to construct the eastern side road. The lands spread on the eastern side of the hill belonged to Dr. Chellakkan from Nagercoil. The eastern road from Manavilai was laid up to the boundary of Dr. Chellakkan. Mr. Palaniappan, son of Arumughan, who was a staunch believer of Muruga led a delegation to Nagercoil, met the doctor and explained to him that a road had already been constructed up to his plot. They requested him to part with some area of his plot so that the already constructed road could be extended up to the Sannidhanam of the temple. He did not accept their request. Again Mr. Gnayam Pillai Nadar, a pious teacher from Manavilai, personally requested Dr. Chellakkan to donate a piece of his land stating the social, cultural and religious need of the public. Though he was a rich man having several acres of land there, he flatly denied their request and the delegation and the teacher returned with broken hearts.
On the same night, the doctor had a miraculous dream in which Lord Muruga appeared before him and instructed to donate the land for the extension of the road to reach the temple. He summoned the members next day and narrated them the dream that he had seen the previous day. He came forward to give his land for the road purpose. Thus, the first road was formed to reach the Temple of Muruga at Vellimalai.7
Kumpabishekam
The last Jeernotharana Asta Bhandara Kumbabishekam was performed on 2.7.2001.8 It was undertaken by Mr. Pukazhediran, the Assistant Commissioner of the Temple Endowment Board, Suchindrum under the non-integrated temples. The function included Mahayagnams, chanting of Mandras and other religious functions and rituals included before and after the Kumbabishekam were conducted. Towers were raised on the temple before this Kumbabishekam function.9
Temple Towers
The tower of Gopuram over the Garbagraham is about 30 feet height. The sculptures and other designs on the tower were made by the temple artisans of different places in Tamil Nadu. These sculptures were cherished similar to the images found in the six abodes of Muruga. Idols of Vinayaka, Muruga and Ayyappa are fixed on the entrance Gopuram. The entrance Tower rests on two pillars. One can see on the left pillar an image of a lady carrying a lamp and other puja materials. In the right pillar a sculpture of a maiden carrying abiseka is carved. These exquisite carvings were designed under the supervision of Mr. Mahadevan, son of Subbiah Pillai who hailed from Eraniel.10
Garba Graha or Sanctum of the Temple
There are 99 steps from the entrance tower at the foot of the hill lead to a plain surface on the eastern side. Then there are seven steps leading to main Mandapam of the temple. There are two exit doors, one in the north and another on the southern side of the point portion of the Mandapam hall. The devotees and musicians would sit near the south exit door and sing bakthi and carnatic songs during Mandala Puja times. For the convenience of the devotees to have the ‘darshan’ of the idol, two parallel iron rods are fixed in the middle of the hall or mandapam, the right side for males and the left for females. The idol of Muruga is installed with his peacock Vahana. The main deity is so sculptured to represent the adolescent stage of Lord Muruga with smile and peaceful look on his eyes. The charming look of the deity would make the onlookers to forget this materialistic world and try to dissolve in the heavenly bliss of the Almighty Lord Muruga, stands in the Garba Graha to bless the baktas. It is believed that the enchanting look of this deity has no parallel in any of the deities of Muruga elsewhere in this district.11
Structure of the Temple
The temple is constructed on the top of the Vellimalai Hillock. The temple faces east. The gopuram of Tower on the garpagraha gives a pleasant sight. The temple is surrounded by beautifully decorated compound wall. In front of the garbagraha lies the Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The peacock Vahana in stone is installed in the Mandapam facing the sacred idol of Muruga. The iron rods fixed in the Mandapam enable the devotees to stand on either sides and pray looking at the sacred deity. Two exit doors on the south and the north sides enable the devotees to make Pratheesnam or go round the temple.
On the south western side, which is the Kanni12 there is a banyan tree. It is the Sthala Vriksham or the holy tree of the place. At the corner of the temple, the Sannidhi of Siddhi Vinayakar is established. Adjoining this structure, Sastha Sannidhi is maintained. On the northern side of the temple, Siva Temple is erected, the idol facing the west. The Navagraha Temple is situated at the Essanam of the temple plot. The madappali or temple kitchen is arranged on the southern side of the Mahamandapam. There are four lean steps in front of the eastern entrance door of the temple. There is another door on the southern side of the surrounding wall of the main temple. The Devasam Office building is situated on the southern side of the surrounding wall of the main temple, facing east. The steps (99) leading to the front door of the temple have two restring Mandapams. These Mandapams are constructed on 7.11.2003 by the enthusiasm of Mr. Kamaraj Chellappan. These Mandapams were inaugurated by Mr. Dhanapal, Assistant Commissioner at the function presided by Sree Kariyam Mohan Kumar on the day mentioned above.13
Glory of the temple
It is believed that not only the devotees who come here for prayer are benefited, but also the people who visit the hill. It is because that the Lord of this hill blesses one and all without any discrimination. Those who make any request at this holy place would get relief from their impediments and attain happiness. The sick people may find much relief if they stay for some days here. Mental depression and worries can be reduced by the holy visit of this hill temple.
The poor may find guidance to get relief from their poverty. The depressed may find peace and solace. Austeries and Vritha (restriction afford) taken for six days of Skanda Sasti period with deep prayers are equated with many years of penance and Yoga practices. The Karthika Vritham, and the visit on that day for the dharsan of the deity will bring more benediction than the one gets taking baths in several sacred rivers. The devotees get relaxation and mental peace when they sit before the deity and pray earnestly. Annadhanam and other charities bring prosperity in one’s life. This place attracts the great and noble persons with spiritual turn of mind.
Administration of the Temple
Before the reorganization of the States in 1956, Kanyakuamri region was under the rule of Maharajah of Travancore. This temple was under the jurisdiction of Kochi Devasthanam which had made some renovation work in the temple first. After the integration with Tamil Nadu in 1956, this temple came under the control of Tamil Nadu Temple Endowment Department. The temple is under the category of non-integrated temples of the Temple Endowment Department. With the permission of the Endowment Department, the Temple Development Committee looks after the administration of this temple. The department appoints the Senior and Assistant Priests of this shrine. The garland maker and the watchman are appointed by the Department. The Senior Priest or Pujari does the rituals and various pujas in the morning and evening, while the junior performs the pujas in the noon time.14
References
1. Sree Vivekananda Ashrama Kattida Thirappu Malar (Tamil), Ethamozhi, 1999, p.1.
2. Interview with C. Rajendran, Vellimali, dated 13.7.2014.
3. Thanga Raj, N., Stalapuranam (Tamil), Thiruvithancode, 2000, p.143.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid., pp.146-147.
6. Interview with C. Rethinaswamy, Vellimalai, dated 18.6.2014.
7. Thanga Raj, N., op.cit., pp.146-147.
8. Jeemotharana Asta Bhandara Kumbabishekam means a religious ceremony held before the Kumbam which was placed on its Gopuram. (Sree Vivekananda Ashrama Kattida Thirappu Malar (Tamil), p.9.)
9. Interview with Vellimalai Siva, Vellimalai, dated 12.6.2014.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Usually the place kanni stands on the South western side. (Sree Vivekananda Ashrama Kattida Thirappu Malar (Tamil), p.9.)
13. Interview with P. Pandian, Vellimalai, dated 11.6.2014.
14. Ibid.