Periyakulam Balasubramanian Temple, Theni Periyakulam Balasubramanian Temple details..
The historic and most famous Periyakulam Balasubramaniar Temple known as Periyakovil in Theni district.
Balasubramaniyar Temple is known as Periyakovil in Theni district. Here Lord Shiva is known as Sri Rajendra Choseeswarar who represents as Linga Soorupam, but this temple Murugan is considered to bethe most famous one. Here Murugan is seen with the six-faced goddess Valli, riding a peacock. Hence the local people call this temple as Balasubramaniyar Temple. Chitraitruvizha, Vaikasi Visagam, Adipuram, Thaipusam, Surasamharam, the main festival of Kanda Sashti Thirukarthikai, Thirukalyanam, Panguni Brahmotsavam festival, Chariotam, Pradosha worship etc. are very well organized in the temple.
Centuries ago, when Rajendracholan was ruling the country that included Periyakulam, one day Varaha went hunting to Agamalaya on the banks of the river. Then, there was a sow milking her young. The king shot down the sow with an arrow. Lord Muruga, who appeared before the cubs who were crying because of their mother’s condition, filled them with milk and blessed them with hunger. History says that Rajendra Chola built this temple for him to remove the sin of killing the mother and starving the cubs and to show the pride of Murugan who blessed the pigs.
Balasubramanian temple does not mean it is Murugan temple. As this is a Shiva temple built by Rajendra Chola, Lord Shiva here is praised as Rajendra Choleswarar and his mother is praised as the hero who nurtured virtue. Shiva, Ambal, Murugan Valli and Deity are worshiped in separate sanctums in the same temple separately with each flagpole. Sun, Chandran, Abhikhara Nandi, Kannimula Ganapati, Lakshmi Saraswati, Balathandayupani, Ekambereswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Saptamathas, Juradevar, Bhairava, 63 Nayanmars are graced in separate sanctuaries in the surrounding area.
This temple is very grand and is an example of the architecture of the Chola period. Agoraveeraputra, Rudratandavar, Durga and Manmadan Navagrahanas are also located. The Peacock Mandapam here has 27 Nakshatras and 12 Rasis enshrined in it.The Peacock in this Peacock Mandapam is a rare single stone peacock. Another special feature of this is the Mrityunjar shrine here, since he is the conqueror of death, sixty to eighty marriages take place here. Built by Rajendra Cholamannan, this temple is popularly known as Periyakoil in the area. It is believed that incurable diseases can be cured by having darshan of Lord Muruga Balasubramanian here.
It is noteworthy that this temple is located on the banks of the famous Varaha river. Male and female maruta trees are located directly opposite each other on both banks of Varaha river. That too the Varaha river flows between the roots of the Maruta trees. It is believed that if you bathe in the banks of this Varaha river, you will get the blessings of bathing in Kashi, and this river is also called Brahma Theertha. Bathing in this river cures intractable ailments and solves problems like marriage problems, childlessness, etc. ancestors worship rituals is also most popularly carried out in this temple (PITRU THARPANAM).
Kosalas (cows) are also located here. After worshiping their ancestors, devotees offer greens and fruits to the cows in the Gosala and worship them. Festivals, Pradoshas and marriages are all celebrated in this temple. Periyakulam is the specialty of Periyakulam.
We can also taste the following marvellous poem of Lord Muruga which tastes like the Honey Droplets (Divine nectar):
Then Thuli (Honey Droplets) was a wonderful Tamil poem written in praise of Tamil god Lord Muruga by Sri Sambuvaraya Swamigal, who was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, and since reading this poem is equivalent to tasting the delicious honey, he has given the title as Then Thuli (Honey Droplets) to this wonderful divine poem. We can also taste some honey drops from this marvellous poem.
O Lord Muruga, you rush to us on Your blessed peacock wielding the divine sacred spear ‘Vel’ (a symbol of knowledge), as we sing Your praises. What joy, what rapture, what glory to see the beautiful captivating Lord with the Vel in His hands. O Guha, born out of Sharavana pond, you grant victory with Your Vel. May we be ever engaged in Your worship chanting the divine names ‘Hara’ and ‘Shiva’. Dear Lord, as we sing for You, please come dancing and running to us. May my Lord *Saravanathan, the Almighty, who is pervading all spheres of the Universe (including the Heaven and Earth); Who is the Eternal Truth transcending the Mind, World and Body; the celestial Guru to His ardent devotees; who is flawless and pure; praised by all from the eight directions (of the World) and Who is my ever -gracious Lord, Eswara; protect my body every day.
Oh Muruga! I was neither devoted to prostrate at Your lotus feet, nor have I worshipped Your favorite abode Pazhani. I have never pursued any lofty ideals in this world, however still wish not to be reborn despite all my shortcomings. Will my desires ever end? You are the saviour for those who surrendered themselves to You, oh Great One!
O Lord, You are six-faced, with your six bejewelled crowns, your vibhuti-adorned foreheads and long eye-brows, twelve eyes and ruddy lips, you wear various pearled jewels!
With dainty ear-rings on your twelve ears, various flower garlands and diadems, pearled ornaments and nine-gemmed chains,
You wear the sacred investiture thread across your bejewelled chest and beautiful abdomen.
Your silken sash and girdle encircle your full waist, with a nine-gemmed diadem adorning your silken robes.
Your beautiful legs and anklet feet produce a harmonious blend of melodious notes most pleasing to the ear.
‘Salutations to Lord Kartikeya, who is also known as Skanda. He is the one who holds the staff of intelligence, and holds the beautiful beloved of Goddess Vallii. He is the enchanter of the mind of Goddess Devasena. I offer adorations repeatedly to that Divine Kartikeya.’
Adoration to Lord Kartikeya, who is also known as Skanda. He is the one who holds the staff of intelligence, and holds the beautiful beloved of Goddess Vallii. She is the enchanter of the mind of Goddess Devasena. I offer adorations repeatedly to that Divine Kartikeya.
You are the son of Sambhu, with millions of names,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the son of UmA, provider of happiness to all beings,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You mount the peacock which tames and binds the snake to its feet,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You made a sport of punishing all the hostile demons (asuras)
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
Your holy feet wear the lilting anklets,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the valorous and great warrior,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the king of all mountains
You are the sacred light emanating from all lamps,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You play in the pure cosmic sky,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the consort of DEvayAnai,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the basis of the principles of Nadha (Lingam) and the Receptacle (Peetam) (or Shivasakthi)*,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the beauty of Vedas (Scriptures) and Manthras (all chantings),
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You
You are the most learned and knowledgable,
namO nama: I bow to You; I bow to You.
“OM SRI THENAMUDHAMURUGA NAMO NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR