After happily celebrating the Skanda Sashti Festival at Tiruchendur, we could move towards northwards to reach Vallimalai, and it’s the place where our beloved mother Valli was born. On 22.11.1950, Vallimalai Sri Sachchidananda Swamigal, who had been spreading the significance of Vallimalai throughout south India had attained samadhi. Valli Hill, the holy mountain was once been a playground for Ma Valli. It was there that she cheerfully danced and danced by pleasing thinking her beloved Lord Muruga.
The wonderful scenery around the hill, the caves, the green fields, the springs and so on add beauty to the valli hill and thereby it makes us to realize that Lord Muruga is there. Ma Valli Ammai who was also known as Pongi Ammai was lived here happily. Since Valli, the beloved lady of Lord Muruga, was born on valli hill, her soul is not only there but also in the hearts of the devotees who come there. Vallimalai Balananda Swamigal, who has taken charge from Sri Satchidananda Swamigal, is a close friend of Pongi and his speeches are well received by the devotees all over the world. Vallimalai Sachchinananda, who was very weak, renovated the Thiruppuzh Ashram with his own efforts. As an example, he has converted it into a special ashram and made progress to the extent of providing annadhanam every day and feeding the devotees who come there during the festival season.
Balananda Sadhu, who has always been a Brahmachari, was a technician in the office where he operated and energized. He is the cook of Pongi Amman, the driver, the priest, the accountant, the assistant, the administrator, the supervisor and everything else. He first visited Kuwait and then in May-June 2000, he visited countries such as the UNITED States. At the time of writing this article (February, 2000), he is busy making arrangements for the Guru Puja of Vallimalai Satchidananda Swamigal. Now those who go to Valli hills have started thinking of it as a suitable place to visit, not as a shakti peetham, but as a place to visit.
So the divine atmosphere that existed there has changed. Seeing this, Balananda Swamigal has been teaching the youth, tourists and all sections of the people who visit it in a manner that will change the status quo and uphold Valli Malai, Pongi Amma and its culture. Since there are not many facilities for those who come to Valli hills, those who go there should get used to lying on an empty floor like Balananda.
Valli Hills
Vallimalai is located in Walajah in North Arcot district. In the Murugan temple there he sits with Valli and Deivanai. Behind the temple is a pond called Saravana Poigai. At the top of the hill is a Murugan temple. If you want to go to the temple which is made of only one stone, you have to climb 444 steps.
There are some places on the stairs where devotees can rest. Once, when people like Kripananda Variyar, Arunachalam, and Appadurai lifted a rock that was there with the intention of reviving them, a cloud of smoke came out from inside. Inside, many rishis and sages were sitting in a yogic position. Seeing this, they became frightened and fainted. After that, they left the rock alone without renewing it. There are many more stories floating around about it.
Vallimalai Shakti Peetham
Many Siddhas have performed penance on this hill. It can even be called the Shakti Peetham. There is also a place on the top of the hill where Lord Muruga transformed himself into a tree next to Valli. Vallimalai Swamigal took it away and built a water tank there.
Pongi alias Valli
One day when Vallimalai Satchidananda Swamigal was walking on the hill, he came across Valli in the form of a little girl. She looked at her and said to her ‘Who are you?’ Ask that ‘It’s not important to know who I am. But don’t you feel happy when you hear my song?’ She said. From then on, Vallimalai Swamigal started singing with raga rhythms. There he established her on a rock.
Ganesh Giri
There is a rock with an idol of an elephant and Pillaiyar who helped valli in her marriage. The Ganesh Grip rock, which is like a Pillaiyar in nature, protects the devotees.
Thiruppugazh Ashramam
The ashram is situated near the Vallimalai rock. Swami Satchidananda accepted Thiruppugazh as the Vedic Mantra and made it a song with music and taught him to sing. He attained samadhi in 1950. The tomb is set on a single rock. At present, the ashram is administered by Sri Balananda Swamiji. There is a Shivalinga called Shiva Vishnu Thirumal Girishwara on the hill. After the pujas are over, the priest there blesses the devotees as they are satari. Therefore, it seems to me that this is a Vaishnava place.
Kumari Theertham
is on the eastern side of the Ashram and there is a water spring called Sun (Suryan kaanak cunnal) to see the sun. That is, it is a spring where the sunlight does not touch it. According to legend, Lord Muruga came there and asked Valli to give him rice and honey. When he ate it, he asked for water from a spring where he did not have the sunlight to pick up the hiccups. The pond is as perennial as the Ganges. It is known from the reports written on palm leaves that young women used to come there and sprinkle the water of the pond on their heads and pray to Valli for a good husband for her.
History of Valli and Devasena Temple
Valli and Deva are the daughters of Lord Vishnu. They wanted a husband who was not angry. Lord Muruga who came before them said that he would come and marry Valli as the daughter of Vedhas and Deivanai as the daughters of Indra.
Pleased with the destruction of Surapadman and giving indraloka to Indra, Indra married his female deity to him. Valli was also born as the daughter of Nambi Raj, the king of the Vedas. For twelve years Valli and Murugan understood many leelas and got married. The rainy region where Valli was born was called Valli Malai. During the 10-day Valli festival, all Sumangali women are given turmeric, kumkum, thali rope, etc., on behalf of the Thiruppuzhu Ashram.
The Jain caves
On the way back after going to Valli Hills are the caves of the Jains and the caves where the magnificent sculptures are located. They are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
There is a place where Valli sat and performed penance. The penance peetham is set up near the temple of Lord Muruga by Kripananda Variyar. There is also a shrine for Lord Muruga in that penance. It is said by Sri Kripantha Variyar that every person should visit the temple of Lord Muruga on Valli hills and have darshan of at least one veil during his/her lifetime.
“OM SRI PONGIAMMANE NAMO NAMAHA”
DEVELOPED BY
R. HARISHANKAR