Kadambakkudi Ulagammal Temple, Ramanathapuram

Address

Kadambakkudi, Thondi

Ramanathapuram District

Tamilnadu- 623407.

Amman

Ulagammal

Introduction

The Bala Subramanya Temple in Alavaipatty Village, near Rasipuram in the Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu, is a significant temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, a popular deity in Hinduism. The temple is situated atop a hill and is part of the Eastern Ghats. To reach the temple, visitors need to climb 1500 steps, which spread over a distance of 2 kilometers.

Puranic Significance

The Bala Subramanya Temple is believed to be approximately 1500 years old, making it a place of historical and cultural significance. The name “Alavaimalai” is derived from the Tamil language. It combines “Arai” (Half), “Vazhi” (Way), and “Malai” (Hill) to refer to the hill with a halfway path.

Deities:
- The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Ekambaranathar, who is a Swayambu Moorthy.
- The Mother Goddess is known as Kamakshi Amman.
- Although the temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is especially renowned for Lord Murugan, also known as Bala Subramanyar. There is a separate shrine for Bala Subramanyar within the temple complex.
Invisible Siddhars: It is believed that Siddhars, mystical and enlightened beings, worship the Lord at this temple in an invisible form.
Temple Layout: The Ekambaranathar Temple at the foothills of the hill is enclosed by fortress-like walls. The festival image of the hill temple is housed in this temple.
Sthala Vrikshams: The sacred trees (Sthala Vrikshams) associated with the temple are Ilandhai and Vilvam.
Inscriptions: Inscriptions on the hill reference Poymaankaradu, a hillock nearby, where an illusionary figure of a deer is said to appear due to the play of light and the shaping of the rocks.