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

Diety

Surulimalai Velappar

Introduction

Suruli Velappar Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Suruli Malai near Cumbum Town in Uthamapalayam Taluk in Theni District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Suruli Velappar / Suruli Andavar. The Temple is also called as Suruli Andavar Temple. This is a hill temple. This temple is 1000-2000 years old. Lords Shiva and Vishnu, Vinayaka are in the sanctum sanctorum along with Lord Velappar-Muruga. The place is historically famous as Neduvel Kundram-Hill of Lord Muruga. According to faith, the hill is the home of all Gods; hence there are idols for all Gods. Suruli Malai was also called as Suruthi Malai in ancient times. The Temple is located close to famous Suruli Falls and Suruli Bhooda Narayana Swamy Temple. The hill has many water resources with rich medicinal properties coupled with religious importance. The place is historically known as Neduvel Kundram, Hill of Lord Muruga.

Puranic Significance

HISTORY: This is a cave temple. The cave has many wonderful features as a tree, its stems and leaves changing into rock after 48 days in deep water, the wet sand changing into sacred ash etc. As huge number of Rishis and Devas reached Himalayas to attend the divine wedding of Lord Shiva with Mother Parvathi, north level rose up and the south went deeply down. Lord Shiva sent Sage Agasthya to south to balance the earth level. As the sage was unable to have the wedding darshan, Lord granted this darshan to the sage in this cave. Hence this cave is praised as Kailash Guhai – cave. The Devas, subjects of the celestial world, Sages, Siddhas and others, in their effort to defeat Ravana and release themselves from their bonded life under him, held a meeting in the Kailasa Nathar cave headed by Lord Maha Vishnu. When Ravana came there with his huge army, Lord Maha Vishnu stood before him in Boodha Swarupa covering earth and heaven and blocked his march. Ravana trembled and retreated to save himself from the fury of Lord. Lord Suruli Velappar graces his devotees from a cave above this spot.

Beliefs

For freedom from sins committed, devotees carry milk pots, perform special abishekam to Lord, tonsure and bathe in Surabi River gaining benefits of a peaceful life. All physical problems and diseases will disappear. The river has rich herbal properties. It is the faith of the devotees that they would attain salvation if they perform penance here. People perform special abishekam to Lord and feed the poor – Annadhanam. Sweet pudding-Sarkarai Pongal is offered as nivedhana to Lord Muruga here.

Special Features

Presiding Deity is called as Suruli Velappar / Suruli Andavar. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Vinayaka are in the sanctum sanctorum along with Lord Velappar. There are shrines for Agasthya, Saptha Kannigais, Naga Devatas, Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Santhana Krishna, Valli and Veerabahu in the Temple premises There are many caves here as Vibhuthi Guhai, Sarpa Guhai, Pattaiya Guhai, Krishnan Guhai and Kannimar Guhai. Each cave has a holy spring-Theertham. The wet sand when dried becomes Vibhuti the sacred ash. A tree had become rock due to the perennial flowing of water on it. Tree leaves and stems become a rock if placed under water for 48 days. No rock is slippery despite water flowing on them forever. Theertham associated with this Temple is Surabi Theertham.

Festivals

Chithirai Utsavam in April-May;Aadi 18 celebrations in July-August; New Moon days in Aadi and Thai month (July-August and January-February respectively) Thai Poosam in January-February; Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January; Shivrathri in February-March, Aadi Pooram, Vaikasi Visakam, Purattasi Mahalaya Amavasya and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.