Thavalagiri Murugan Temple Special as Palani; Goddess Valli takes virgin form and blesses devotees.
4 km from Sathyamangalam bus stand.Thavalagiri Murugan temple is located. According to the proverb that where there is a hill, there you can see Kumaran, Murugan who sits on this mountain hill is very powerful. Although Murugan in this thalam is known as Thavalagiri Dandayuthapani, this mountain temple is more famous.
On special days, the hill is crowded with people, but on other days it is very quiet and a wonderful place with a pleasant atmosphere for those who seek peace of mind. This resort is a boon for nature lovers. Not only you can enjoy the nature of Sathyamangalam from this hill, but the peaceful atmosphere in the shrine of Murugan is mesmerizing.
There are two ways to reach the temple, one can reach the temple by stairs. There is also a road facility for those who cannot. But most people use the stairs because they are more efficient than going through the stairs. The design of the temple, the nature, the small height of the hill, the space, the water facility, the peace, the atmosphere around the temple, everything is wonderful.
Durvasar is the place of consecration
The history of Murugan who resides in this place is very interesting. Sage Durvasa Bhavani was walking to Sringeri in Karnataka via Sathyamangalam after visiting Guduthurai Sangha Meswara. Then when he was crossing the river Bhavani the flood increased. When he got stuck in the sudden flood of the river, a peacock flew down and sat on a hill. Durvasa felt that Lord Muruga was making some announcement. He immediately swam to the shore and reached the foot of the cliff. Realizing that when the river was in flood, Muruga had informed him of the presence of a nearby hill through the peacock and had also given him the courage to never give up, he built a beautiful statue of Lord Muruga on the top of the hill and worshiped it as a thank you.
Prosperous Murugan
By the grace of Murugan, agriculture flourished throughout this region. As a result, people’s lives have improved. As peace and happiness increased among the people, a peaceful life was available. There is a rumor that as a special tribute to Murugan, who was responsible for this prosperity, Tippusultan accepted the request of one of his army commanders and built a Garbhagraha for this Dandayuthapani Swami. There is a 270-step path to climb the white-cliffed Tavalagiri hill and a torched road for vehicles. However, most of the devotees park their vehicles at the foot of the hill and first visit Lord Ganesha, who is seated with Nagar to the west. Devotees say that they have experientially realized that going through the stairs has additional benefits and only by going through the stairs they can get the grace of Idumbak Kumaran, who graces the middle of the mountain towards the east.
After visiting Idumbak Kumaran, if you look towards the west, you can enjoy the beauty of Bhavani river flowing by. Valli Deivana in virgin form: If you go up the steps to visit Murugan, Bala Vinayaka and Valli Deiva are blessed in separate sanctums towards the east.
It is extra special that both Valli and Deivanai appear in Tavakolam as virgins with the aim of reaching Muruga. In no other place are Valli and Deivana shown as virgins in Tavakolam. Those who want to lead a life of asceticism should start their ascetic life from this place.
If you wear a silk scarf, marriage ban will be removed
What is more special about this place is that virgin women who are barred from marriage wear a silk skirt to Valli and pray to the god to be blessed and that ban will be removed. Both these sanctuaries are situated below Thandayuthapani Swamy sanctuaries. In the sanctum sanctorum where the Mulavar is seated at the top, Thandayuthapani Swami Satya looks west towards the town of Mangala, with a dandayutam in his right hand and his left hand on his hip, giving a beautiful view. He has a tarjani ring on his left little finger. It is considered very special. ‘Dharjani’ in Sanskrit refers to one’s wisdom, education, skill.
A place special as Palani
In his left hand he carries a vell(Murugan’s weapon name in Tamil). In Palani, the third house of Arupadai houses, Murugar faces west and Shanmukha river flows from north to south, Dandayuthapani faces west, Bhavani river flows from north to south. It is the belief of the devotees that they will get the benefits of Palani by visiting Thandayuthapani Swamy in this Talat. Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam are located next to the sanctum sanctorum. In the Maha Mandapam there is a peacock and an altar on the naga in its unit. Sun worshiping Murugan: During the first three days of the month of Chitra, before the sun sets, the first day shines on the feet of Moolavar Balathandayuthapani, the second day on his chest and the third day on his face, so he gets the distinction of being worshiped by the sun. Special pujas are held for him at the moment of falling light. It is believed that if we participate in it, we will get the blessings of Lord Muruga and the grace of Lord Surya.
Special pujas are held in the morning and evening during Krittikai and Shashti seasons. Special decorations and worship are performed every full moon. On the new moon day, special worships are performed. Mangala Vara Puja is held on every Tuesday and special abhisheka, decorations and Deeparathana are held on Fridays. Devotees say with a sense of devotion that if they witness the abhisheka puja performed to Balathandayuthapani Swami on special days like this, their mind will calm down and reach a meditative state and get refreshed.
Thaipusa Special Festival On the first day of Chitrai month, Panguni Uttaram, Vaikasi Visagam, Aadik Krittikai and Karttikai Mata Krittikai are celebrated like festivals. Tai Pusath Thirunal is a big festival here. The day is marked by six periods of pujas, special abhishekams, decoration and Deeparathana. Villagers around the hill bring milk, paneer, young water, panchamirtha kavadi to Balathandayuthapani and pay fine. This beautiful kavadi game is very popular. This place is a very special place for those who pray to Muruga and get good results and seek peace of mind.
The way to the temple
Erode District,You can reach the base of the temple by taking a bus from Sathyamangalam to Kodiveri and alighting at Malai Kovil bus stop. Apart from the bus facility from Sathya Mangalam, there are vehicle facilities like share auto also available.