Sathuragiri Sri Sundara Mahalingam Temple- Virudhunagar

Address

Sathuragiri Sri Sundara Mahalingam Temple-Sathuragiri, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar District- 626 132 Phone : 04563-288155,04563-293155 Mobile : 9486461488

Diety

SathuraGiri, Chathurachalam, Siddhar Bhoomi, Mooligai Malai (Vanam), Mahalinga Malai Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Sathuragiri Hills also known as “Chathuragiri” or “Sundara Mahalingam” hill is a pilgrimage site located 10 km from Watrap, near Srivilliputhur, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The hills are a part of the Western ghats. It is situated approximately 5 Kms from “Watrap” (otherwise called as “Vathirairuppu”) near Srivilliputhur. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. It is approximately 100 Kms from Tirunelveli and 70 Kms from Madurai.

Puranic Significance

Goraknathar is one of the foremost important Indian Siddha. He is part of the 18 siddha tradition of South India. He is also one amongst the Nava Nath Siddha tradition of North India. He is also closely associated with Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. He attained Siddha by mastering sound. The main siddha of Sathuragiri is Goraknathar. Goraknathar created thousands of new siddha medicines like Kayakalpa etc to attain immortality. Every 10th in the Tamil Calendar he appears in light form to his devotees at this place. On every no moon day Sri Kalimuthu Ashram offers a lingam made of Thinai Maavu and the same is worshipped. There are three main temples in the hill • Sri Sundara Mahalinga Swamy Temple • Sri Santhana Mahalinga Swamy Temple, and • Sri Anandavalli Amma Temple. Sri Sundara Mahalinga Swamy Temple Once upon a time, a devotee was on his way to Sathuragiri. In those days only a few people used to go to the hills, as it was thick forest with lots of wild animals. Since being new to the hills he soon got lost in the thickly populated mountains. Seeing this Lord asks Kamadhenu, the divine cow to help his devotee and bring him back to the correct path. Kamadhenu immediately appeared before the devotee and lead him to the correct path. After bringing the devotee to the correct path, Kamadhenu, being a divine cow, had to travel back to its heavenly abode. In the process, of starting to fly, Kamadhenu gave pressure to her legs and the pressure was so immense that her hoofs left an indelible mark that can be seen even today. Sandhana Mahalingam Temple : Santhana Mahalingam temple is just 15minutes upward from Sundara mahalingam temple. It is only Shiva temple where instead of vibhudhi, santhanam is given as prasadham. Also in this campus are present sanctums for 18 Siddhars, Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Navagrahas, Santhana Mahadevi (Sakthi). The Aagaaya Ganga as it is called, which flows down right behind Goddess Shakthi’s shrine. Inside the Siddhar peedam we can see the cave of Sattamuni, where he meditated and lived. Anandavalli Amma temple: Anandavalli Amma’s temple mandapam can be found behind Sundara Mahalingam temple. Anandavalli Amma is formless. Only during Navarathiri she takes a form. There are two festivals in honour of Amma. The first one falls in the Tamil month of Purattasi and the second one during Navarathiri.

Special Features

The name Sathuragiri originates from the words “Chathur” which means “Four,” “Veda” which means “The Vedas”, and “Giri” which means “Hill.” When combined, the words mean “the hill formed at the confluence of all the four Vedas.” An alternative origin for the name is attributed to the fact that the hill is square-shaped and therefore known as “Chathuragiri.” In ancient times Sathuragiri was also known as Udayagirinathar. In Udayagirinathar, a wealthy landlord owned a vast tract of land which was home to an ancient Shiva temple. The temple was looked after by an elderly priest. A stream (similar to the present Agaya Ganga Theertham at Sathuragiri) ran next to the temple. Sathuragiri is known as the Abode of God. It is also known as “Siddhargal bhoomi” (the land of the sages or the Sidhars). The “18 great Siddhars” are said to have lived here. One more sanctum of Lord Siva is also there in the top of the hill which is called as “Periya Mahalingam” Big Mahalingam. Sacred waters or Theertham: The Akasha Ganga (river) which flows from above the Santhana Mahalingam temple. Atthiootru, Maangani Ootru (Maavuthu), Arjunaa river. Naaval Ootru is just below a jambu tree water in it has the taste of Jaman tree and it is said that it is good for Diabetic patients. Irattai Lingam: Legend says that a Shivite husband and a Vaishanite wife had an argument on who is the greater god – Shiva or Vishnu, and went into deep meditation in Sadhuragiri to find the answer. God then appeared before them in his Shiva form and Vishnu form to make the couple understand that both are one and the same (Hari-yum Haran-num Onnu). To mark this, both Shiva and Vishnu forms rest here as 2 Lingas, thus Irattai Lingam. A short trek after Irattai Lingam led to Periya Pasukkidai, Naaval ootru and to Pacharisi Medu. Pacharisi Medu named because of the small white pebbles found on the path. Then we reached Kuliraati, Chinna Pasukkidai and Vanadurgai, a kaaval deivam (protecting deity) of the forests. Then you reach Pilaavadi Karuppar Sannidhi who is known to be the security guard of Shivamalai. Periya Mahalingam : Periya mahalingam is a huge spellbounding swayambu lingam. The rocks looking like Balipeetam and Thiruvodu. Also the trunks/roots formation of the tree on top lingam looks like the Jadamudi (hair) of Lord Shiva.

Festivals

During Mahashivrathri, full moon and new moon devotees visit the temples and pay their penance and have darshan. The new moon during the month of July-August (Aadi Amavasai) attracts about 10 to 15 lacs devotees who come there to have the darshan of the Lord Mahalingam.