Name:
Arulmigu Vilpatti Vetri Velappar Temple, also known as Paarai Velappar

Location:
Vilpatti village, near Kodaikanal, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Description :
The Vilpatti Vetri Velappar Temple is an ancient Lord Murugan temple in Vilpatti, near Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, believed to be 2000 years old and potentially the first Murugan temple. It is known for its association with the story of the Pandavas and for the presiding deity, Sri Vetri Velappar, is depicted with a spear atop a Shiva Lingam. The temple celebrates major festivals like Panguni Uthiram and Thai Poosam, with devotees considering the deity their "Kula Deivam" or family god.

Presiding Deity:
Sri Vetri Velappar, another name for Lord Murugan.

Ancient Significance:
Believed to be around 2000 years old, with origins possibly dating back to the Pandya King Koon Pandyan. It is also considered one of the oldest Murugan temples.

 
Legend of the Name:
The name "Vetri Velappar" (Lord of Victory) arose from the belief that he brings victory to devotees.

 
Cultural Connection:
The name Vilpatti itself is thought to be derived from the Pandavas practicing archery there, with "Vil" meaning bow. 

Deities' Sub-Shrines:
Sub-shrines exist for Mahadeva, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma. 
Idumban Shrine:
There is a separate shrine for Idumban, a disciple of Murugan. 
Bogar Connection:
A shrine to Bogar is present, with a legend linking it to a cave where he continues to meditate. 
Fish Symbol:
The presence of fish symbol inscriptions within the temple grounds is noted. 

Festivals:
The temple is alive with devotion during major Murugan festivals like Skanda Sashti, Thaipoosam, and Panguni Uthiram. Daily poojas include Ushakkala Pooja, Uchikala Pooja, and Sayaraksha Pooja, each performed with Vedic chants and traditional drums. Devotees often carry kavadi, offer milk abhishekam, and perform padayatra from nearby villages. The temple serves as a hub of spiritual rejuvenation and heartfelt vows.
Palanquin Procession:
During the Tamil month of Panguni, the Urchavamoorthy (procession idol) is carried in a palanquin. 

Kula Deivam:
Many people around Kodaikanal consider Vetri Velappar to be their Kula Deivam. 

Opening Hours: The temple is open daily from approximately 7 AM to 6 PM

Websites :

https://arunraj.org/murugan-temples/sri-vetri-velappar-temple-vilpatti/ 

Maragathaleswaraswami Temple - Thiruengoimalai

Name :  Thiruengoimalai Arulmigu Maragathaleswaraswami Temple

Lacation : 

This Temple lies 40 km from Tiruchirappalli and 5 kms from Musiri, Taluk headquarters in Tiruchirappalli District. Thiruengoimalai lies between Musiri and Thottiam.

Legend :

The name of the place is said to be derived from Thiru-i-ongaimalai (‘i’ meaning bee in Tamil) and to have been so called because the sage Agasthiar, finding the gates of the temple closed one evening, took the form of a bee and entered the temple to perform his worship.

Ambal worshipped Shiva here and so the hill is also called Sivasakthi malai.

Description : 

Moolavar : Maragadachaleswarar, (Trinajyotheeswarar), Eengoinathar
Amman / Thayar : Maragadambikai
Thala Virutcham : Tamarind tree
Year : 1000-2000 years old

The hillock is otherwise called Maragathamalai /Thenkailayam /Sivasakthimalai /Malaikovil /
Erattimalai. Name of the Goddess is Maragathambigai / Maragathavalli. God is also named as Aragathasalanathar/ Malaikozhnthar / Achutheeswarar / Birameswarar / Indreekarar / Threethar.

The river cauvery passes nearby the hillock. The river 'Surpanathi' passes adjoining the hillock. The river is otherwise called Kondayurumarai or Kondamarai.

The lingam of the temple is said to be transparent and also to throw a green shadow when camphor is burned. It is therefore called the 'emerald' (marakata) lingam. The god is connected with the deities of kadambarkovil and Ratnagiri. At all three temples special poojas are performed in Kartigai and the Taipusam day. Devaram songs will be sung in temple. At the base of the temple lies Bogar Sidhatemple. 500 vertical steps leads to the temple at the top of the hillock. Poet Nakkeerar has sung a booklet named Engoi-Elupathu ( 70 Engoi songs).

Temple's Speciality :

The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity for three days during the Masi Shivrathri festival. The Linga changes colour during this time. Only a few Shiva temples are on hills and one such is in Eengoimalai in Tiruchi district.

There are three important sacred shiva temples in this region glorified by the Thevara hymns and Agathiar used to worship all the three in a single day. Agasthiar was not satisfied even after worshipping so many temples in south and finally got satisfaction after worshipping these three temples. He worshipped Kadamba nadhar at Kadambar koil in the morning, Rathnagreeswarar temple at Ayyarmalai (Thiruvatpokki) in the noon, and the Thiruvengi nadhar at Thiru-engoi-malai in the evening. It is considered that worshipping all of them in a single day will get us salvation.

The temple is sung in Devaram also. At the base of the temple lies Bogar Sidha temple. 500 vertical steps lead to the temple at the top of the hillock. Poet Nakkeerar has sung a booklet named Eengoi-Ezhupathu ( 70 Eengoi songs)

Bhogar Gennma Nakshatram is Bharani. So Abhishegam, Aaradhanai, Annadhanam @ 9AM onwards. Contact: Mr. Sundhar, 9095102695 & 9095102696

Festivals :

Brahmmotsavam in Panguni (March-April), Masi Magam in February-March, Thai Poosam in January-February and Pujas on all Full Moon days – Poornimas – are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Websites :

https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/trichy/

http://www.trichy.com/placesofworship/maragathal.htm