Valliyur Subramaniyar Swami Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Valliyur Subramaniyar Swami Temple – Thirunelveli

Valliyur, Radhapuram,

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627 117

Phone: +91 – 4637 – 222888      

Moolavar

Subramaniyar Swami

Amman

Valli and Deivanai

Introduction

• The Subramaniyar Swami Temple is a rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, located at Valliyur near Nanguneri, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
• Valliyur is on the Kasi-Kanyakumari highway and close to Valliyur railway station.
• Revered in the Thirupugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.
• Devotees perform the “Girivalam” (circumambulation of the hill) during festivals.

Puranic Significance

• Valliyur was ruled by Kulasekhara Pandyan in the 13th century and served as the capital of the Pandya Kings between 1162-1173.
• Invasions around 1310 destroyed many historical records, but archaeological surveys have uncovered ancient Shiva and Sastha temples.
• Some idols found are believed to be over 3,000 years old.

Discovery of the Temple

• The temple was discovered by a Pandya king on a hunting expedition after visiting the Perumal temple at Thirukkurungudi.
• The temple was expanded by his descendants.

People Who Worshipped Here

• Indra and Sage Agastya are said to have worshipped Lord Muruga here.

Murugan and Saravanapoikai Tank

• Lord Muruga created the Saravanapoikai tank by striking his spear into the ground at the request of his consort.

Story Behind the Hills

• Sage Agastya cursed a merchant, Durlaban, for refusing to give rice to charity. The curse turned the rice into stone, forming the hills around Valliyur.

Mahendragiri Hill

• Mahendragiri Hill, located west of Valliyur, is where Sage Parasurama performed severe penance, as mentioned in the Sundara-Kandam of the Ramayana.

Valliyur, the Place of Valli

• Lord Muruga married his consort, Valli, in Valliyur.
• Legend has it that Valli, protective of Muruga, initially refused to let Deivanai join them, but Sage Agastya intervened.
• Women born in Valliyur are believed to be strong-willed and demanding, reflecting Valli’s nature.

Beliefs

• Devotees believe that no one returns empty-handed from the Valliyur Murugan temple.
• Many childless couples have prayed at the temple and later returned to offer thanks after their wish was fulfilled.

Special Features

• The temple is rock-cut, carved into a hill, and dedicated to Lord Subramaniyar.
• The main deity, Murugan, is depicted with four arms, holding a Vel and flowers.
• The temple has several Mandapams and a diamond-studded Vel in Murugan’s hand.
• The Saravanapoikai tank is adjacent to the hill.
• Unique as the only cave temple for Murugan in Thirunelveli district.
• There are shrines to Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka, Veerabahu, Veera Mahendran, and Jayandeeswarar.
• The temple is shaped like “Om”.
• Lord Shiva is worshipped as Jayandeeswarar in a separate shrine with Soundara Nayagi Amman.
• The temple has a cave path for circumambulation.

Festivals

• Giri Prathakshinam: Circumambulation of the hill, similar to other Murugan temples.
• Skanda Sashti: Celebrated with grandeur.
• Float Festival: In Karthikai month.
• Annual Festival: In Chithirai month.
• Kodai Festival: Held on the first Friday of the Adi month at the Sudalai Madan Temple.

Other Festivals

• Chitra Vishu (April 14)
• Chitra Pournami (May 6)
• Vasantham (Spring) Festival
• Adi Amavasya
• Pongal
• Makara Sankranthi
• Mahasivarathri.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/04/subramaniyar-swami-temple-valliyur.html

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Valliyur

Nearest Railway Station

Valliyur

Nearest Airport

Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram

Location on Map

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