Surulimalai Velappar Temple- Theni

Address

Surulimalai Velappar Temple- Suruli Falls Road, Surulimalai, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode – 625521. Mobile: +91 73733 62838 / 97903 55234

Deity

Surulimalai Velappar

Introduction

Location: The Suruli Velappar Temple is located on Suruli Malai, near Cumbum Town in Uthamapalayam Taluk, within the Theni District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is also referred to as the Suruli Andavar Temple.
Presiding Deity: The main deity is Suruli Velappar, also known as Suruli Andavar. The temple is a hill temple, believed to be 1000-2000 years old, and houses idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Vinayaka, and Lord Velappar-Muruga in the sanctum sanctorum.
Historical Significance: The site is historically recognized as Neduvel Kundram or the Hill of Lord Muruga. Suruli Malai was formerly known as Suruthi Malai. The temple is in proximity to Suruli Falls and Suruli Bhooda Narayana Swamy Temple, with many water sources on the hill that are reputed for their medicinal properties.

Puranic Significance

Cave Temple: The Suruli Velappar Temple is a cave temple featuring unique natural phenomena, such as a tree and its leaves transforming into rock after 48 days submerged in water, and wet sand transforming into sacred ash.
Mythological Background: According to legend, when a large number of Rishis and Devas traveled to the Himalayas to witness the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, the earth’s balance shifted. To restore balance, Sage Agasthya was sent south by Lord Shiva, who granted him a divine vision of the wedding in this cave, which is hence known as Kailash Guhai.
Ravana’s Defeat: The cave is also significant as it is said that a meeting was held here among the Devas, headed by Lord Maha Vishnu, to strategize against Ravana. When Ravana arrived with his army, Lord Vishnu manifested in a gigantic form, blocking Ravana’s path, causing him to retreat in fear. Lord Suruli Velappar is believed to bless devotees from a cave above this sacred spot.

Beliefs

Devotional Practices: Devotees engage in various practices for freedom from sins, including:
- Carrying milk pots and performing special abhishekam (ritual bathing) to Lord Suruli Velappar.
- Tonsuring their heads and bathing in the Surabi River, which is believed to have healing properties.
- Offering food, especially Sarkarai Pongal (sweet pudding), as nivedhana (offering) to Lord Muruga.
- Feeding the poor as a form of annadhanam (food donation).

Special Features

Deities in the Temple: Alongside Lord Velappar, the sanctum also includes shrines for Agasthya, the Saptha Kannigais, Naga Devatas, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Santhana Krishna, Valli, and Veerabahu.
Caves and Theerthams: The temple premises feature multiple caves like Vibhuthi Guhai, Sarpa Guhai, Pattaiya Guhai, Krishnan Guhai, and Kannimar Guhai, each associated with holy springs or Theerthams. The wet sand in the area is known to dry into Vibhuti, or sacred ash.
Natural Phenomena: The site is remarkable for its geological features, where tree leaves and stems can turn into rock after prolonged exposure to water. Interestingly, the rocks in this area remain non-slippery despite constant water flow.

Festivals

The Suruli Velappar Temple celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year, including:

Chithirai Utsavam (April-May)
Aadi 18 Celebrations (July-August)
New Moon Days in the months of Aadi and Thai (July-August and January-February)
Thai Poosam (January-February)
Vaikunda Ekadasi (December-January)
Shivrathri (February-March)
Aadi Pooram
Vaikasi Visakam
Purattasi Mahalaya Amavasya
Panguni Uthiram (March-April)