Palamutircōlai
Pallamutircōlai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan's Āru Patai Vīdukal, the six holiest Murugan shrines described by Cankam poet Nakkīrar in his poem Tirumurukārruppatai. Regarding the identity of the sixth major site, there is no consensus among scholars and many local temples are ascribed the distinction.
Most scholars, priests and devotees identify Palamutircōlai with the shrine of Palamutircolai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar Hills, above the Alagarkoil Vishnu temple. While this temple is not as large or bustling as the other five recognized shrines, it is just as incredible to visit.
This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Alwars. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Rākkayi Amman. The Nūpura Ganga atop the hill is said to originate from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring.
It is said that sitting in the Madavi mandapa near the spring Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz., Cilappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, standing testimony to the vivid description of the place's natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.
Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. From days of yore, Vel has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The deity of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Deivayanai on both sides. The Vel(Spear) made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with great veneration by devotees.
The sthala vriksha is a rose apple tree. The fruits of this tree ripen during Skanda Sashti festival. The temple that was in existence during Sangam period no longer existed in Arunagirinatha's time. The recently constructed temple is considered as Pallamutircolai and worshipped by the devotees. It is needless to say that it is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga very extensively praised and described by Nakkeerar in Tirumurugatruppadai.
Arunagirināthar also reveres this shrine in his Tiruppukal. Arunagirinatha sang 16 Tiruppugzh psalms to Pallamutircolai Muruga. Though one might be in possession of all types of wealth, if he wants to lead a healthy life bereft of any disease he should necessarily visit Pallamutircolai. Arunagirinatha very emphatically says in the most unequivocal terms that Lord Muruga should come before him running to bless each and everyone with health and wealth as has been very clearly described in the Tiruppugazh psalm. Not far from Palamutircōlai south of Madurai is another of the Āru Patai Vīdukal, Tirupparankunram.
Most scholars, priests and devotees identify Palamutircōlai with the shrine of Palamutircolai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar Hills, above the Alagarkoil Vishnu temple. While this temple is not as large or bustling as the other five recognized shrines, it is just as incredible to visit.
This shrine is located on the northern outskirts of Madurai in a pleasant wooded hill not far from Alagar Visnu Kovil, a fortified temple complex revered as one of the 108 abodes of Vishnu glorified by the hymns of the Alwars. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Rākkayi Amman. The Nūpura Ganga atop the hill is said to originate from the anklet of Tirumal or Visnu and hence the name of the spring.
It is said that sitting in the Madavi mandapa near the spring Ilangovadigal wrote one of the five mahakavyas in Tamil, viz., Cilappatikaram. Even today the place is very fertile with many trees and different flora and fauna, standing testimony to the vivid description of the place's natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadai of Nakkeerar.
Though the sthala is of ancient origin, the temple as in existence today was constructed only recently. From days of yore, Vel has been worshipped as the moolavar or main deity. The deity of Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with Valli and Deivayanai on both sides. The Vel(Spear) made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with great veneration by devotees.
The sthala vriksha is a rose apple tree. The fruits of this tree ripen during Skanda Sashti festival. The temple that was in existence during Sangam period no longer existed in Arunagirinatha's time. The recently constructed temple is considered as Pallamutircolai and worshipped by the devotees. It is needless to say that it is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga very extensively praised and described by Nakkeerar in Tirumurugatruppadai.
Arunagirināthar also reveres this shrine in his Tiruppukal. Arunagirinatha sang 16 Tiruppugzh psalms to Pallamutircolai Muruga. Though one might be in possession of all types of wealth, if he wants to lead a healthy life bereft of any disease he should necessarily visit Pallamutircolai. Arunagirinatha very emphatically says in the most unequivocal terms that Lord Muruga should come before him running to bless each and everyone with health and wealth as has been very clearly described in the Tiruppugazh psalm. Not far from Palamutircōlai south of Madurai is another of the Āru Patai Vīdukal, Tirupparankunram.
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