Chennimalai Muruga Controversy (Chennimalai Murugan Temple Controversy)… Hindu organisations staged a protest at Chennimalai Bus Stand on 13 October 2023, to protest against a proposal made by a Christian Munnani group to rename the hill on which the Chennimalai Murugan Temple is located as ‘Yesu Malai’ or ‘Kalvaari Malai. The protest saw a huge turnout with thousands of Hindus participating, proudly waving saffron flags, creating the impression of a saffron wave.
Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. On Friday (13 October 2023), a massive demonstration took place in front of the Chennimalai bus stand condemning the blatant attempts by Christian missionaries to rename Chennimalai into “Kalvari/Yesu Malai”. Many people from surrounding regions of Erode, Salem, Coimbatore and Namakkal thronged to Chennaimalai for the massive protest. The people called for strict action against the Christian missionaries for attempting to disturb the communal harmony of the place. The protest was led by Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara Subramaniam with other leaders of Hindu Munnani participating. The ladies assembled sang devotional hymns in praise of Lord Murugan.
In Kathakodikkad, part of the Murungathovu Panchayat within the Chennimalai Union of Erode District, a Christian ‘jebakootam’ (prayer meeting) gathering took place at the residence of one John Peter on 17 September 2023.
During this prayer meeting, tensions flared as Hindu Munnani insisted that such ‘jebakootams’ cannot be held in residential areas without required official permission.
This dispute escalated into a heated altercation, with both sides involved in physical confrontations. Subsequently, the Chennimalai police initiated legal proceedings against Hindu Munnni, following a complaint from the Christian group. As a result of this incident, two members of the Hindu Munnani were arrested and detained.
Adding to the already volatile situation, Christian leaders announced during a demonstration in Chennimalai on the 26 September 2023 that they intended to transform the revered Chennimalai Murugan Temple hill into a Christian site named Kalvari Malai or Yesu Malai. This revelation left the Hindu community deeply perturbed.
The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed.
The temple in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district dates back over 3000 years and is the first place where the ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham’ dedicated to Lord Muruga was performed by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal.
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.
“OM SRI CHENNIMALAIANDAVARE NAMO NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR