Vayalur Sri Subramaniya Swamy (Murugan) Temple- Trichy

Address

Vayalur (Kumaravayalur), Tiruchirappalli district,

Tamil Nadu 620021

Moolavar

Sri Subramaniya Swamy

Amman

Valli and Deivanai

Introduction

The Vayalur Murugan Temple is dedicated to Muruga, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, located in the village of Kumaravayalur in Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Though the presiding deity is Shiva, the temple is known for the Murugan shrine. The temple is associated with savant, Kirupanandha Variyar.

Puranic Significance

The Vayalur Murugan Temple dates back to the 9th century and was built by a King, Chola Dynasty.

Arunagirinathar was a 15th-century Tamil poet born in Tiruvannamalai. He spent his early years as a rioter and seducer of women. After ruining his health, he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself from the northern tower of Annamalaiyar Temple, but was saved by the grace of god Murugan. He became a staunch devotee and composed Tamil hymns glorifying Murugan, the most notable being Thirupugazh. Arunagirinathar visited various Murugan temples and on his way back to Tiruvannamalai, visited Vayalur and sung praises about Murugan.

Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambu to a Chola King:

According to a hearsay story, a Chola King came to this spot in search of water to quench his thirst after long hunting. He found a sugar cane with three branches and wanted to squeeze and drink the juice. When he broke it, blood sprang from the Sugarcane and after digging the ground, a Shiva Linga was found. The king built a temple on the spot.

Lord Muruga instructed Sage Arunagiri Nathar to visit Vayalur:

After protecting sage Arunagiri when he fell from the tower of the Tiruvannamalai temple, Lord Muruga gave the first line to enable him to sing his praise and directed him to come to Vayalur. Arunagiriar came to Vayalur; he sought his permission to pray first Poyya Ganapathi, which was granted. He sang few hymns; later Ganesa appeared in his dreams and blessed him to sing Thiruppugazh uninterruptedly. He had sang as many as eighteen hymns, praising Vel in his hand, the Kadamba flower garland around his neck, his holy feet and twelve shoulders as well as Lord Siva, Adhinathar, the presiding deity, narrating him as Agneeswarar (Thiruvakkeesar). Lord Muruga wrote the Pranava Mantra on the tongue of Arunagiriar with his weapon Vel. In the long volume of Thirupugazh, Vayalur has a special place of importance.

Kripanandavariar contribution to Vayalur Temple:

It is due to the personal devotion and dedication of the great Muruga devotee Sri Kripanandavariar, who lived in the last century, Vayalur came to be known as a temple of great reputation among the Muruga temples in the state of Tamilnadu. Lord Muruga worshipped his father Lord Shiva here.

Beliefs

The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan who is a form of Lord Shiva and is worshipped by people who come here to pray for a healthy, happy, successful life. A dip in the temple tank is believed to get rid of any obstacle in one’s life.

Those inflicted with Naga dosha (aspect of snake) use to have a dip in the tank in the temple and worship Lord Muruga for a relief. Obstacles in marriage also disappear. Devotees throng here for cure from diseases, children, longevity, education, wisdom, prosperity, and good farm yields. Tonsuring, ear boring, carrying milk pots and Kavadi, observing Sashti fasting, rolling round the temple for cure from diseases are the commitments devotees undertake in the temple. Shanmugarchana (praising Lord Muruga with sacred names with flowers) Shanmuga Yagna, feeding the poor, offering donations for temple maintenance and renovation are also undertaken by devotees suiting to their purse

Special Features

The temple was built by the Cholas in the 9th century AD. The temple is surrounded by lush green fields. The gopuram of the temple was connected by the savant, Kirupanandha Variyar. The main deity in the temple is Muruga, it is behind the Moolavar Shiva Sannithy. The other Sannithys in this temple are Moolavar arulmigu Athi Nathar (Lord Shiva). Agni Theertham also known as Shakthi Theertham. According to a legend, Lord Muruga himself created this tank with his Velayudham. Sthala Vriksham: Vanni Maram (Vanni tree) is seen in the left side from the entrance of rajagopuram

Festivals

The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m., Muthalam Kalam at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Rendam Kalam at 8:00 p.m. and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m.. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Kachabeswarar and Anjanatchi. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. The eleven-day Vaikasi Visakam during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June), Thai Poosam during the Tamil month of Thai (January – February), Panguni Uthiram during the month of Mar – Apr, Vaikasi Visakam , the birth star of Murugan during the month of May – June, Adi Kirthikai during the month of July/August, Thiru Karthikai during the month of oct/nov and Kanda shasti November are the most prominent festivals in the temple