Name : Balasubramania Swamy Temple
Location :
Siva
giri is 108 km from Madurai on the Kuttralam route. The temple is 1 km from the
bus stop. Auto facility is available.
Moolavar : Balasubramaniar
Urchavar : Muthukumarar
Theertham : Saravana Poigai
Legends :
Lord Muruga, after destroying demon Soorapanma,
was returning to Tiruparankundram to wed Mother Deivanai. Sage Agasthya
was performing penance in the place seeking the darshan of Muruga. Lord,
on His way granted darshan to the sage and stayed in this place as wished by
the sage. The temple was built later. As the Lord appears here as a
little child – Bala – He is praised as Balasubramania.
The Pada Mandapam of the temple is at the place
where Lord granted Darshan to Sage Agasthya. The Shivalinga is nearby.
Description :
There are shrines for Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord
Mahavishnu, Mother Chandikeswari, Bhairava, Navagrahas the nine planets, Sani
Bhagwan, Mother Ashtabuja Durga and Idumban. There is also a separate
shrine for Lingodhbava in the ghoshta wall with Brahmma and Chandikeswara
nearby opposite to each other. There is a shrine for Mother Kali in the
middle of the hill. The first puja is offered to Her at morning and evening
Sayaraksha. Special pujas are dedicated to Her on full moon days.
Lord Muruga in the temple is praised as Navagraha Muruga. Vinayaka is
known as Anugnai Vinayaka.
Those facing adverse planetary aspects, to
children in particulars and those suffering from paralysis pray here for
relief.
Speciality of the Temple :
1. Lord Muruga grants darshan with his turf mated
up as a crown.
2. A metal piece – thagadu – is placed at His feet with
zodiac symbols as He assures relief to the devotees from planetary
problems. This is a rare form of Lord Muruga, The NavaGraha Muruga. Those facing
problems, pray to the Lord on the day attributed to the particular
planet. Pujas are performed in the temple as per Tiruchendur procedures.
3. Skanda Sashti in Murugan temples are celebrated for 6 days or 7 days with the
wedding festivals. Here the festival is celebrated for 11 days.
Soorasamharam-killing demon Soora-is celebrated on the 6th day, Muruga on the
horse vahan, The wedding festivals takes place the next day. The
coronation festival to the Lord is celebrated on the 11th day placing the Lord
on the throne with gold crown and the Sengole the stick representing the royal
authority. He comes then in procession in His royal robe known as Pattina
Pravesam – entering the city. This is a famous festival of the temple.
4. Among the Saivite saints, Tirugnanasambandar was graced with the wisdom milk
fed by Mother Parvathi. He is considered as the incarnation of Lord
Muruga. This festival is celebrated in the temple on the 6th day of
Panguni Brahmmotsavam when the Lord is fed with milk remembering this
event. During this festival, Lord Muruga appears with red in the morning
puja (Sivappu Sathi) with Lord Shiva attribute, in white in the midday with
Brahmma attribute (Vellai Sathi), in green dress as Vishnu (Pachai Sathi) on
the third puja in the next morning. He goes for the river bath
(theerthavari) on Panguni Uthiram day.
5. Somaskanda: The shrine is situated in an environment of scenic beauty
surrounded by hills and water resources. The temple is on Sakthi Malai,
Sakthi-Mother. Shiva hill is on the left. The temple is in
Somaskanda – Lord Muruga with Shiva and Shakti on both sides. On the right of
Muruga shrine is Lord Sundareswarar and Mother Meenakshi on the left.
Procession deity here is Shanmugar used in Panguni Brahmmotsavam. The
procession darshan is available to the devotees only for three days during the
festivals. Darshan during other days can be had only within the temple.
Festivals :
Panguni Brahammotsavam in March-April, Aipasi
Skanda Sashti in October-November, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June and Masi Magam
in February-March are the festivals observed in the temple.
Websites :
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=190
