Vadasennimalai Sri Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Salem

Address

Vadasennimalai Sri Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, Vadasennimalai, Salem district- 636121, Phone: +91- 4282 – 235 201.

Diety

Sri Balasubramanya Swamy Amman: Valli, Deivanai

Introduction

The Balasubramanya Swamy Temple, located in Vadasennimalai, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Muruga, who is worshipped in three unique forms at this temple. The temple is situated in Vadasennimalai, which is approximately 64 kilometers away from Salem City in Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old.
According to legend, several years ago, boys grazing sheep were playing at the foothill. A new boy appeared and joined them. He climbed the hill quickly, stopped at a place with radiant light, and then disappeared. The boys reported the incident to the villagers. When the villagers investigated, they discovered three Swayambu idols and signs of pujas (ritual worship) performed there. They understood that the boy was Lord Muruga and built the temple.

Deity:

Lord Muruga is the presiding deity of the temple.
Lord Muruga is worshipped in three distinct forms at this temple:
1. As a smiling child.
2. As an ascetic (Dhandayuthapani).
3. As a family head with his consorts Valli and Deivanai.
These three forms represent the different aspects of Lord Muruga’s persona, symbolizing a smiling and carefree childhood, ascetic renunciation, and the responsibilities of family life.

Beliefs

Devotees strongly believe that circumambulating the hill – Girivalam- will protect them from evil forces. Majority of the devotees pray for mental peace. Those intending to buy land and building pray before the Avvayar statue on the Girivalam with a stone to have wish realized. Devotees perform abishek, special pujas and offer vastras to Lord.

Special Features

Architecture:

The temple features a five-tier Rajagopuram (main entrance tower), which stands majestically.
In the early days, the temple had only two shrines for the Swayambumurthy (self-manifested deity) and Dhandayuthapani (the ascetic form of Lord Muruga). Later, Lord Balasubramania (the child form of Lord Muruga) was installed.
Lord Vinayaka is worshipped in the temple as Adivara Vinayaka.

hilosophical Significance:

The three forms of Lord Muruga in this temple symbolize different aspects of life:
1. The smiling child represents a carefree and joyful phase.
2. The ascetic form signifies renunciation and spiritual growth.
3. The family head with consorts represents the responsibilities and challenges of family life.
All three forms are considered swayambu, meaning they are self-manifested deities.
Devotees believe that praying to Lord Muruga in these three forms brings them various benefits.

Girivalam:

Performing a Girivalam (circumambulation of the hill) around the temple is believed to help drive away evil forces affecting devotees.

Avvaiyar Statue:

There is a statue of Avvaiyar on the Girivalam path, offering a gooseberry to Lord Muruga.
Devotees who wish to buy land or property often pray to Avvaiyar with a stone and place stones in a heap, hoping to fulfill their desires.

Steps:

The steps leading to the temple are divided into 60 sections, representing 60 Tamil years.
It is believed that praying to these steps can enhance the longevity of the devotees.

Theertham:

The temple’s sacred water source is Vashista Theertham, a place for rituals and ablutions.

Festivals

Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Tirukarthikai in November-December; Skanda Sashti in OctoberNovember and Thai Poosam in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.