Mohanur Kandhamalai Murugan Temple, Namakkal

Address

Mohanur Kandhamalai Murugan Temple, Kanthamalai, Mohanur, Namakkal District. Phone: +91-4286 – 645 753, +91- 98424 41633.

Diety

Balasubramaniar (Palani andavar)

Introduction

The Kandhamalai Murugan Temple is situated in Mohanur, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Muruga, who is known as Balasubramaniar, and sometimes referred to as Palani Andavar. Lord Muruga is a popular deity in South India, particularly associated with wisdom, valor, and protection.

Puranic Significance

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Muruga, who is known as Balasubramaniar, and sometimes referred to as Palani Andavar. Lord Muruga is a popular deity in South India, particularly associated with wisdom, valor, and protection.

Legend:

One of the popular stories associated with Lord Muruga is that He left His parents, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi, because they did not give Him the mango brought by the sage Narada. Despite their efforts to console Him, Lord Muruga expressed His desire to be alone and came to Palani. It is said that Mother Parvathi called Him to stop when He left, and in response to her call, He paused for a moment in Mohanur. This event is the basis for the temple’s construction.
In this temple, like in Palani, Lord Muruga is facing west and is depicted holding a Danda in his right hand while standing on a stage called Avudayar.

Beliefs

Praying to Lord Muruga blesses the devotee with wise children capable of doing any job with self-confidence, it is believed. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord Muruga with pujas offering vastras.

Special Features

Devotees who are facing adverse effects due to the position of Mars (Sevvai Dosha) in their horoscopes, which can cause delays in marriage, often come to pray to Lord Muruga on Tuesdays. They offer yellow vastras (clothing) and Sevvarali (red flowers) garlands as part of their prayers.
The temple features 39 steps leading to it, which symbolize the 27 stars and 12 zodiac signs. People with unfavorable stars often visit the temple to seek relief.
Step puja is conducted on Chitra Poornima, the full moon day in April-May, and special pujas are held on monthly Kruthika and Sashti days.
There is a small hill outside the temple with a shrine for Idumban, who is often associated with Lord Muruga. Idumban is depicted carrying a Kavadi on his shoulders, facing south.
The temple also houses an idol of Lord Vallaba Vinayaka, which is depicted with ten hands.
There is a shrine dedicated to Saint Arunagiriar, a poet-saint known for his devotional compositions. His Jayanthi festival is celebrated on the Moola star day in the Aani month, which falls in June-July.
Lord Kala Bhairava also has a shrine in the temple, and an offering of 108 conches is made to Kala Bhairava on the Ashtami (8th day) of the new moon fortnight.

Festivals

The Kandhamalai Murugan Temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year, including Thai Poosam in January-February, Skanda Sashi in Aipasi (October-November), Karthikai in November-December, and Panguni Uthiram in March-April.