Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
| Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple | |
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| Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
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 Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Location within Tamil Nadu
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| Name | |
| Other names | Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple, Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, Sri Balamurugan Temple |
| Proper name | Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple |
| Tamil | அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணியசுவாமி திருக்கோவில் |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Erode |
| Location | Pachaimalai, Gobichettipalayam |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Subramanya Swamy (Balamurugan) |
| Important festivals | Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sashti, Navaratri |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
| History and governance | |
| Website | www.pachaimalaimurugan.tnhrce.in |
Pachaimalai Subramanyaswamy Temple also known as Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple is one of the two major hill temples (other being Pavalamalai) located in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Hindu God Kartikeya. The temple constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, is located on top of a small hillock in the outskirts of the town of Gobichettipalayam.
Contents
History
Saint Dhurvasar performed his routine worship of Lord Shiva at Modachur in outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. While workshipping, he wanted to have a Darshan of Lord Subramanya. Not finding a temple around, he tried to find out a place of worship through his penance. He discovered a small hillock at nearby wherein he installed Lord Subramanya as Balakumara facing west on the advice of Lord Shiva, which later developed into Pachaimalai temple.[1]
The temple itself is more than 3000 years old. The present structure was renovated in 1956 by P. K. Kuppuswamy Gounder and the first Maha Kumbabishekam was performed in 1980 led by P. K. Eswaran as renovation committee head. The latest Kumbabishekam was performed in June 2006.[2]
Architecture
The temple has a five storey main Gopuram built according to the Dravidian architecture. The main deity is Balamurugan, the child form of Lord Murugan. The main deity faces west similar to Palani Dhandayuthapani temple. The temple also has a colossal statue of Lord Muruga, which is visible from the town of Gobichettipalayam. The temple also has shrines dedicated to various gods and goddesses including Vidya Ganapathy, Maragatheeswarar and His consort Maragathavalli, Kalyana Subramanya with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Maragatha Venkatesa Perumal with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Dakshinamurthi, Bhairava and the Navagraha.[1]
Special practices
Devotees perform Rudrabishek with rosewater to Lord Muruga and offer vastras in green to grant boons for marriage. It is the staunch belief of the devotees that worship of Lord Muruga in the temple would ensure higher education, child boon, relief from debt burdens, prosperity and health. Students offer Arugampul garlands to Lord Vidya Ganapathy for granting higher education boons.[1]
Schedule and Puja
The temple is open on all days from 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM. There are 7 timely Pooja scheduled daily of which late evening 7 PM pooja is considered special. Every Tuesday, New Moon day (Amavasa), Sankatahara Chathurthi (Waning Period), Pradhosham, Full Moon day, Theipirai Bhairavar Yaagam, Shashti and Kiruthigai are celebrated with special pooja. Based on reservation, the golden peacock and golden chariot runs around 7 PM [1]
Fairs and festivals
Panguni Uthiram signifies the day when Lord Subramanya married Deivanai, daughter of Indra. Chariot festival is celebrated with much grandeur with lakhs of people attending the celebrations. The lord is taken for a procession on a massive wooden chariot, one of the largest in the state. The lord is presented with rose water, green clothes and garlands. Kavadi Attam is also performed by devotees and free food is provided to all devotees.
Skanda Shashti is celebrated with usual pomp. Lord Subramanya was on six day fast along with his devoted people on this day and to mark this occasion, there are special pooja scheduled on all six days and the lord is taken for a procession in a golden chariot. Lord Subramanya got his weapon Vel from his mother Parvati to kill demon Soorapadman. The "killing of Soorapadman" is termed as Soorasamharam and the event is enacted in Gobichettipalayam. Later, Lord Subramanya goes back to Pachaimalai in his peacock mount and special pooja takes place.
Kalyanotsavam is performed to Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivayanai at the Vasantha Mandapam in Pachaimalai. Everyone is served lunch and the 'fasting' devotees finish their fast. Vaikaasi Visaagam festival is celebrated with great devotion with Lakshaarchanai. On Visaagam day, Thaarabishekam is performed to the Lord with large quantities of milk. Later, Sathru Samhara Homam was performed. Guru and Sani Peyarchi special pooja is also performed. During Karthigai Deepam, scores of people light lamps in the temple including the steps of this great hillock.
Thai Poosam is celebrated at Pachaimalai with devotion and grandeur. People from Pudupalayam and Modachur carried Kavadi of different kinds. A massive Annadhanam was organized for all the devotees.[3]
How to reach
Pachaimalai is situated near Pudupalayam in the outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. To get there by road, reach Gobichettipalayam and travel further 1 km to reach Pachaimalai. The temple is located on top of a hillock which can be accessed by road or by foot from the base of the hill. By rail, reach Erode (40 km) and then travel by road via Gobichettipalayam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, 85 km away.
