Viralimalai Shanmuganathan Tirukovil.
Viralimalai is located about 28 kms from Tiruchi on Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway. It is in Pudukottal district of Tamilnadu. In 7th or 8th century AD,.this place was covered with thick forest Today there is not much of wood. in the place. In 9th Century AD when Kodumbaloor velar were the kings this village was very prosperous. (Kodumbaloor is about 6km away from Viralimalai). The temple architecture is in Kodumbaloor pattern confirming that they patronized the temple. Kodumbaloor was under the Cholas. Aditya chola (grand father of the great Raja Raja Chola of Brihadeeswara temple fame) has contributed for developing this temple, as per noting in the temple.
Kuravanji dance is associated with Murugan. Most families in that village were Isai vellalar. Bharathanatyam was a well developed art in the 9th centuray AD and thereafter. It is said that there were dancers who were masters in one of the 32 adavus. As late as 1993 Maha bSivarathri festival was held here with pomp and fair.
Great saints and yogis (Munivargal, siddahrgal, gnayniyargal in Tamil) meditated here in the form of “KURA” trees. The trees were spread every where In Tamil we say “Viravi for spread. Hence the name Viravi Malai later turned to Virali Malai. There was typical kind of medicinal plants here known as Viral Mooligai. The name virali malai may have been derived also because of this.
Longtime ago there lived a small boy, who was dumb and docile, in Vayaloor, a village; about 10 kms from Tiruchi, famous for Murugan temple,. The place is also called Kumara Vayaloor, Kumar meaning Murugan. Vayaloor Murugan has given spiritual enlightenment to many; Sri Arunagirinathar and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshidar are two well known personalities who received Vayaloor Murugan’s blessings. The dumb boy was treated roughly by his parents and in general by others. One day out of fear the boy hid himself behind Murugan in the Vayaloor temple and the priest locked him at the end of the day without knowing the boy was there. Murugan gave darshan to the boy and gave him ability speak and intelligence to be a poet. Murugan named him as Marungapuriyar The next morning when the temple was opened the people saw the boy with radiating face and were happy that he could speak
One day Murugan asked Marungapuriyar to accompany HIM on a hunting expedition to the Viralimalai. There Murugan asked the boy to build a temple for him on top of the hill. The boy made efforts and the temple was built by Chief of the tribe there. He was the first priest.
Later several kings patronized and expanded the temple. Vadi Lakkaiya Naickers and later in 18th and 19th century Palayakarars and King Pudhukotai Thondaiman looked after the temple. One of the Palayakarar Sri Karmuthu Pillai was a true devotee of the Lord. One day after temple worship he was returning to home when the river Mamudi was in floods. He was stranded. More than hunger his urge for a cigar was grat as he was a habituated to smoke cigar. Murugan appeared as a man and offered him cigar. So Karumuthu pillai started the practice of offering Cigar for evening pooja. This practice was stopped by the King Ramachandra Thondaiman. Murugan informed the King that he is happy with the cigar offer and hence the cigar offer is being continued even now.
The temple is on small hillock. There are 207 steps. The steps are made very conveniently so one can ascend with ease.
At the bottom of the hill is the temple for Maikan udaiyal. (lady with kajal eyes). Idumbar sannadhi and vinayagar sannadhi follow when one is half way up.
Shanmuganathan sannadhi is on top. HE facing east having 6 faces and 12 hands. We could see all the six faces because they have placed a mirror to see the faces on the back side. The Lord is about 4 feet standing with Valli and Devesena. Muruganudaya azage azayagu.
There are sannadhis for all Kostha devas as per Siva temple. There are also sannadhis for Arunagirinathar, Naradar, arundati and vashistar., kasiappa munivar (father of Soorapadhman). Naradar came to the Lord for pleading in favour of Brahma, his father. While all the Rishi patnis gave breast milk to baby murugan arundati did not. Vasihtar was up set and cursed her. Murugan did not appreciate Vasishtar for his act. So Vasishtar came here with his wife Arundati to do tapas
There is Saravana poigai and a river. But today there is not water in either of them and the population have ruined the place to a lot extent.
The place is populated by large number of peacocks and of course monkeys. Today they have kept peacocks protected
Sri Arunagirinathar was spending most of time in Vayaloor murugan temple. One day Murugan asked him go over to Viralimalai and HE would see him there. While travelling to Viralimalai by foot Sri Arunagirinathar was guided by Murugan himself through thick forest. While climbing the hill Murugan gave Sri Arunagirinathar darshan on peacock with her consorts Valli and Devesena. In his Tirupugaz, Sri Arunagirinathar has stated this experience.he had, in 16 verses.
There is also a temple for Mennakshi Sudareswara near where Sri Arunagirinathar gort darshan. This temple is carved in the hill as cave temple.(gugai). There is also Navagrhas.
The sthala vriksham is KASI VILVAM. The beauty is there is no tree in the place with thorn.
The temple is a must see. Viralimalai area is now having large number of industries, like Sanmar and TVS.
Buses from Tiruichi bus station to viralimalai temple every 5 minutes. And the charge is just Rs.7/= (for 28 kms) on August 7, 2011.
