Ilanji Thiruvilanji Kumarar Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Ilanji Thiruvilanji Kumarar Temple – Thirunelveli

Ilanji,

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627 805

Phone: +91 4633 283201 / 226400 / 223029

Moolavar

Ilanji Thiruvilanji Kumarar

Introduction

The Thiruvilanji Kumarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is located in Ilanji, in the Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is over 1500 years old and is famed for its rich history and the association of the mythological sage Agastya. While it is currently known as a Murugan temple, it was originally dedicated to Lord Shiva. Arunagirinathar, the famous Tamil saint, has revered this temple in his Thiruppugazh hymns.

Puranic Significance

Divine Wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi:
According to legend, when the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi took place, the collective weight of the sages and others attending the event caused the Earth to sink. To balance the weight, Lord Shiva asked Sage Agastya to travel south. Unfortunately, Agastya missed the wedding darshan but was promised by Lord Shiva that he would be granted the darshan of both the wedding and the dance of Lord Shiva. Agastya came to Ilanji to worship Lord Murugan, and with Murugan’s help, he created two sand lingams, which he combined into one, allowing Agastya to fulfill his wish and witness the divine darshan.
Murugan’s Appearance as Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma:
Three great sages—Kashyapa, Kabila, and Durvasa—debated who the ultimate reality was, with Kabila advocating for Lord Vishnu, Kashyapa for Brahma, and Durvasa for Lord Shiva. Lord Murugan appeared before them as a youthful deity and proclaimed that he embodied the roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. He then appeared as each deity, confirming that he governed the past, present, and future. This event led the sages to request Murugan to remain in Ilanji to impart wisdom to devotees, a wish Murugan granted.
Indra’s Worship:
Indra, the king of Devas, is also said to have worshipped at this temple.

Beliefs
Devotees come to the temple seeking blessings for various needs, including marriage, children, prosperity, and success in business. Upon realizing their wishes, devotees often offer hair (tonsuring), perform special abisheks, and carry kavadis. It is also customary for devotees who are blessed with children to symbolically offer the child in adoption and later receive the child back.

Special Features

Temple Architecture:
The temple is located amidst lush green paddy fields and coconut groves, on the banks of the Chitra River. It was renovated by Mara Varman Kulasekhara Pandiyan in 1409 AD. The temple has two entrances, two praharams (corridors), an Arthamandapam, Mani Mandapam, and Mahamandapam. A three-tiered gopuram marks the entrance to the inner sanctum.
Iruvaluka Nayaka:
The temple’s central shrine features a unique white sand shivalingam created by Sage Agastya. This shivalingam is revered as Iruvaluka Nayaka (“made by the revered Agastya”). Unlike other temples, no abishekam (ritual bathing) is performed here, and offerings of Shenbaga flowers are considered especially sacred. The entrance of the sanctum features two impressive sculptures of Dwarapalakas (guardians).
Lord Murugan’s Shrine:
The shrine of Lord Murugan, also known as Velavan, features Murugan with four hands, seated on a peacock with his consorts, Valli and Devasena. This shrine is a major attraction, and the temple is often referred to as Velavan Temple.
Shrines and Idols:
The temple is home to many idols, including:
- A shrine for Lord Vinayaka (Shenbaga Vinayaka).
- Shrines for the Navagrahas (nine planets), Lord Vishnu (as Varadaraja Perumal), Goddess Durga, Lord Nataraja, and many more deities.
- The temple also features idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and the 63 Nayanmars.

Festivals

The temple hosts several grand festivals throughout the year:

Six Daily Worship Services: The temple conducts six worship services every day.
Skanda Sashti: A major festival in which Lord Murugan is depicted as the Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—over six days, culminating in Surasamharam, where Murugan defeats the demon Surapadman.
Chithirai Festival: A ten-day festival in April-May.
Aipasi Skanda Sashti: Celebrated in October-November.
Thai Poosam: Celebrated in January-February.
Vaikasi Visakam: In May-June.
Purattasi Navarathri: In September-October.
Maha Shivaratri: In February-March.