Vattamalai Murugan temple: This is another small Murugan temple in Kongunadu. It is around 8 Kms from Kangeyam on the Kangeyam-Pazhani road. The presiding deity is Shri Muthukumaraswamy in the company of Shri Valli and Shri Devasena. Arunaginathar has visited this placed and sang on this Murugan in Thirupugazh. The temple is facing west and it could be seen from a long distance.
The main shrine is that of Shri Subramanyar with a spear in his hand. There are separate shrines for Valli and Devasena. The temple is atop a small hillock with nearly 100 steps. There are several interesting details about this temple. Among the eighteen Siddhars was Shri Kongana Siddhar. ( those who have read about the story of Thiruvalluvar-Vasuki and the devotion of the latter to her husband and how she addressed тАЬ Kokkendru Ninaithayao KonganavaтАЭ may remember the name of this Siddhar. I am not sure whether the Vasuki story is connected to Kongana Siddhar. But as per Siddha system, he was the disciple of Boggar and a great scholar who attained Samadhi in Tirupathi ). He resided on this hill and hence this place is also known as Konganagiri.
Till 1949, this was known as an ancient Shiva temple, built some 1300 years ago. Its antiquity and connections to the Pandya Kingdom are seen by the Fish emblem in different parts of the temple. The statue of Shri Sundaramurthy Nayanar in one of the pillars in the Vadhya Mandapam also confirms its long history. When the Kumbabhishekam was performed in that year, the main shrine was shifted positions and Shri Muthukumaraswamy was installed as the main deity. The Shivalingam and Parvathi shrine are in the southwest side of the Mahamandapam.
Near the shrine of Shri Muthukumraswamy, Adiseshan is also installed, which is a rare thing in a Murugan temple. It is said that a snake permanently stays in this temple and does not harm the devotees. In the Mahamandapam, there is a Mahanyasa Peetam in which a big Lotus flower is carved. On the Panguni Uthiram day, a pot of water brought from the temple theertham (Saravana Theertham), is kept on this lotus and poojas are performed. Afterwards, this water is used for performing Abhishekam to the Lord. This Saravana Theertham is is believed to have been created by lightning and thunder. It is also called Neeradi-Neruppadi Sunai. Special prayers are offered to the Lord on Tuesdays with Sevvarali flowers ( Ghanera ).
When we start climbing the steps, we come across the shrines of Vinayagar and Idumban. When we finish the climb, we are greeted by the 3 tier rajagopuram. There are carved figures of Veerabhadrar, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Anjaneya, Narasimha and Badrakali. As per local customs, a newly married husband should carry his wife to the top of the hill and if he accomplishes this, their married life is blissful! ( Note: Photos and some of the inputs were collected from various web sites ). I am given to understand that there is another temple with the same name-Vattamalai-near Tiruchengode. Note: Photos and some of the inputs were collected from...
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