Sunday, November 8, 2009

Theertha Malai


Name : Theertha malai. In Tamil it means Hill with Holy Water

Location : It is located 60Kms from Dharmapuri on the way to Thiruvannamalai via Aroor.

Deity : Theerthangeswarar and Arulmozhi Vadivambigai

Description :

This Shiva hill temple is 500meters high. It is a very old shrine and the inscriptions on this temple says Chola emperors had regularly visited theis temple including Rajendra Cholan.



Legend :

It was said in old puranas that Lord Rama had worshiped Shiva in two places during his Ramavathar. One is Rameshwaram and other Theertha malai. Hence there is belief that a holy dip in the waters of this spring will wipe out the sins committed by the people.

In order to worship to Lord Shiva, Rama sent Hanuman to fetch water from the River Ganga, but when Hanuman did not return at the appointed time for pooja, Rama unleashed an arrow onto the rocky slope of the hillock and water sprang forth, which today is called Rama Theertham.

This pilgrim and picnic centre becoming very popular with the public. The temple situated about one k.m up the steep slope of a hillock derives that its name from the five springs in the temple.

The tiny waterfall drops from a height of about 30 feet is perennial and during the summer as well as the rainy season the water falls on the bathing ghat behind the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The other Theertham, all of which have their origin in different parts of the rocky surface, are the Agasthya Theertham, AgniTheertham. Kumara Theertham and the Gouri Theertham, besides these four Theerthams the Hanuman Theertham is situated about 16km from the main temple on the banks of river South Pennar. This too is also closely associated with the temple. It is stated that when Hanuman returned with the water from the Ganga, he found that Rama had brought the Ganga water with his arrow. He then threw away in anger the vessel containing the Ganga water. This water fell onto the riverbank.

Hanuman Theertham also is a very holy place. During summer even when the river is dry there will be sweet water in the spring that flows from rock in the riverbed. The waters of the Theerthamalai are supposed to have medicinal values too. It may be mentioned that Theerthamalai has huge reserves of magnetite iron ore that can be utilized for the Salem Steel Plant.

Several Inscriptions can be found in the Theerthagireeswarar Temple. They relate to the Vijayanagar and Chola rulers. There is one inscription in ancient Telugu and Kannada. Poet Saint Arunagirinathar referred to the Temple of Theerthagirieeswarar in his compositions. The Mandapam near the sanctum sanctorum is supposed to be built by Sila Naicken. He is said to have maintained a well-fortified garrison at the top of the hill from where a commanding view of the surroundings can be on all sides is available.

There is another spring known as Vashista Theertham higher up in the hill. Close by are the wonderful granite pieces of Saptha kanyakas. The beauty of these sculptures is that they can be viewed only through a very narrow crevice in the rock. The nine-day annual festival at the Temple is in the month of March.


Theerthams :

There are 5 holy water source in the hill temple. They are
1. Rama Theertham
2. Kumara Theertham
3. Gowri Theertham
4. Agni Theertham
5. Agasthya Theertham

Another theertham (Hanuman Theertham) is on the way from Aroor to Oothangarai. it is belief that we should first go to Hanuman theertham and then go to Theertha malai to get full blessings of Theerthangeshwarar.



The theertham on the hill comes from a high point and it is perennial whole year. Also pilgrims get full freshness in body and mind aftre having a bath in this theertham.

Website :
http://narennarasim.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post.html

8 comments:

Yekollu said...

My forefathers were the hereditary gaurdians of the temple until independence..

Rajesh. CTR said...

Nice to know about this information. Yesterday they showed a documentary on sun news about theertha malai.

jayveni said...

DearThiru.Rajesh
You hav done a wonderful job by let know the world about the very old but holi Temple at Theethamalai near Harur of Dharmapuri District.We wish you and Thanga vel Match Industries to prosper and reach all the goals.I am one of the heir of Dharmakarthas of this temple ans wish to bring publicity to this temple with all available sources.Yes.I want to bring to the notice of the philantropist of hindu community that the Raja Gopuram of this temple is left unfinished.Idonot know when Lord Theerthagirieswara gives the boon to adore his temple with beautiful Rajagopuram.
with regards
yours truly
V.JayaramanB.Sc,B.L
MOBILE 09443538262
@DHARMAPURI

Rajesh. CTR said...

Thanks Jeyaraman sir for your hearty wishes... i also pray for early completion of the Raja Gopuram.

Foodiesstuff said...

Dear Thiru. Rajesh,

Thank you for the details of Theertha Malai. Theertha Malai is our "Kula Deivam" (Family God). Nice to know about this Temple.

Thiru. Jayaraman -
Kindly let me know more details, to raise funds for Rajagopuram construction. Will help as far as possible.

Lakshminarayanan Gopalakrishnan,
S/O, Late. Gopalakrishnan Theerthagiri,
Hyderabad, India

jayveni said...

Dear Rajesh I thank you and Mr.Lakshminarayanan of hyderabad for his voluntary offers to install the raja gopuram at Theerthamalai for Lord Theethagiri easwar.I want to know from Yekoolu about their contact information out of interest

Raghavendra Dasara said...

Thanks for giving information.. please keep updating the blog.. it is very good blog..

Rajesh. CTR said...

Thank u Raghavendra sir. I will start updating the blog soon with more hill temples.

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