Arulmigu Chennimalai Murugan Temple is situated in Chennimalai, Erode District, Tamil Nadu. This temple is situated in a hillock, and this hill is surrounded with full of natural beauty and attractive scenic locations.
The Temple Devasthanam provides special buses to reach the hilltop, and it also provides few rest houses for the visiting devotees, and apart from that, there are also some boarding and lodging houses, which is of good standard in Erode.
In front of the temple we find the shrine of the beautiful Puliyadi Vinayagar, and inside the temple to the right of the main deity, we could find the shrines of Lord Shiva in the form of Markandeswarar and to the left Ma Parvati in the form of Umayavalli. On the left side we find the shrines of Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, similar to the one we could find in the original temple City of Varanasi! We can also find the beautiful Valli Deyvannai Temple, who are found in a separate temple is a rare view! We can also find the Pinnakau Siddhar who is one of the most popular 18 Siddhars! Near to this cave we could find the Saravana Rishi’s Tomb, which is also supposed to be a very ancient cave, located near to this temple.
The main deity Murugan is considered to be the planet planet Mars (Chevvai Graham in Tamil).
The famous Kanda Shasti Kavacham was first offered to the world in this temple by Balan Devaraya Swamigal.
The moolavar here is popularly known as Siragiri Dandayudhapani.
As per legend, the great Saravana Munivar went to Palani, Tiruvavinankudi and circumambulated the Palani hills offering prayer and requested the Lord to give him Chennimalai Sthalapuranam. As per Lord Muruga’s Divine instruction, Saravana Munivar went to Kanchipuram and brought a copy of the copper plate inscription of Sthalapuranam. He was wonder struck to note the depiction in the Sthalapuranam come alive when he reached Chennimalai. He built the temple of Lord Muruga and also a separate shrine for Valli and Teyvannai. Later he also built a temple for Kailasanāthar near Subramanya Theertham in the city of Chennimalai. He built the shrine of Lord Muruga and Valli Deyvannai in the Chitra Mandapam of this temple. He also made the temple car similar to the one at Palani. The Lord of Chennimalai is enshrined both on the hilltop and in the city. The famous poet Teyvasigamani Gounder brought out the original palm leaf inscription of this Puranam in print.
Saravana Munivar constructed the temple on the hill and the city beneath, Kailaya Nathar temple and initiated the car festival.
Instead of becoming servants and slaves to ordinary humans, let us prestigiously become a humble slave to Lord Muruga. After the birth of Lord Muruga, all of the deities, including those who lives in the 14 worlds, were very much delighted, since they have got the opportunity to serve Lord Muruga himself!
As per the Holy Skanda Purana, it was mentioned that Lord Muruga used to kindly treat everyone who worships him. Muruga contains a smiling face, and whenever if he finds any mistakes with his divine attendants, he would never scold at them, but instead of that, he would correct them in a gentle and in a kind manner. Though he has got full rights to punish his attendants, but he didn’t do it, since he is an aspect of his father Lord Shiva. At present, though we are unable to get the divine vision of Lord Muruga with our naked eyes, yet, we can imagine as if we are sincerely serving the great Lord Muruga as his humble slave by gently pressing his legs, by glorifying him with songs, and by affectionately watching his shining face. Instead of imagining some unwanted things, we can imagine about Lord Muruga, and we can also consider him as our best friend. Once if we keep on doing like that, then he would stood before us, and would give suitable suggestions to us, he would make us to run a successful life, and we would never get cheated by others.
Hence let’s visit this beautiful temple of Lord Muruga and let us be blessed.
“OM SRI CHENNIMALAIANDAVARE NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR