Sri Pazhamudhircholai Murugan Temple, Alagar Hills

Address

Sri Pazhamudhircholai Murugan Temple, Alagar Hills R.F, Tamil Nadu 624401

Diety

Murugan

Introduction

Pazhamutircolai is situated 19 kilometres from the temple town of Madurai. The place is full of natural beauty and sylvan surroundings. This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri. At the foot of the hill is situated Azhakar Kovil, which is one among the 108 divyadesams sanctified by the hymns of Azhwars sung in praise of the Vishnu enshrined in this temple. Atop the hill Lord Muruga stands majestically in the temple as the Lord of the Hills popularly known as Kurinji Nilakkizhavan in Tamil. The temple of Pazhamutircolai can be reached by a motorable road leading to the hill. Pazhamutircōlai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan’s Āru Patai Vīdukal, the six holiest Murugan shrines described by Cankam poet Nakkīrar in his poem Tirumurukārruppatai. Regarding the identity of the sixth major site, there is no consensus among scholars and many local temples are ascribed the distinctionMost scholars, priests and devotees identify Palamutircōlai with the shrine of Palamutircolai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar Hills, above the Alagarcoil Vishnu temple. While this temple is not as large or bustling as the other five recognized shrines, it is just as incredible to visit.

Puranic Significance

According to the legends, Lord Muruga tested the great Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar here. One day while travelling Avvaiyar became tired, so she decided to rest under a fruit tree. A boy who was sitting on the tree asked Avvaiyar whether she want fruits. When Avvaiyar told that she wanted fruit, the boy asked whether she wanted roasted or unroasted fruit. Avvaiyar decided that the boy didn’t have any knowledge about fruits. Due to her tiredness, she didn’t want to argue with the boy. Avvaiyar asked the boy to give her unroasted fruit. Several fruits fell out of the tree and Avvaiyar picked them up,blowing on them to remove the sand. Smiling, the boy asked Avvaiyar if she was blowing on his “roasted fruits” to cool them down.Avvaiyar was astonished as to how a small village cowboy could have played such an intelligent drama. Blowing on the fruit to remove the sand was indeed poetically comparable to an attempt to cool “roasted fruits”. Avvaiyar begged the boy to reveal his true identity, unable to reconcile herself with the fact that a simple cowherd could have such profound thoughts. The boy then disappeared and in his place, Lord Muruga appeared. Avvaiyar, stunned to find herself in Divine Company, prayed to Lord Muruga to bless her and continue bestowing his Infinite Grace on her to aid her virtually endless quest for knowledge.

Festivals

Tamil New Year Day, Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Kruthika, Annual abishek festival on Aavani Pooram, Skanda Sashti, Mondays of Karthikai month and Tirukarthikai.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000

Managed By

HRCE

Nearest Bus Station

Alagar Hills

Nearest Railway Station

Madurai

Nearest Airport

Madurai

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