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Once there was only Vel the weapon of Lord Muruga, in the temple. The priest of the Temple, Poovan Pattar was performing pujas for the Vel. While he was relaxing under a tamarind tree after the puja one day, Lord Muruga appeared in his dream and said that the hill belonged to him and that he was in the form of an idol at Kottaithiradu, a little away from the place.

Lord asked the priest to go to the place where ants would be moving in a line and that he was there. The priest informed the king. The idol was taken from the pit and installed. The temple was built by the Pandala king.

It is believed that Pithrus (departed ancestors) live on the steps of the hill. Hence, performing Tarpans to them at this place would greatly benefit the following generations. The devotion of Sivakami Ammayar with steadfastness and determination carrying the stones for building the temple is a thrilling story.

Temple Timings:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Temple Festivals:

Step festival on the first of Chithirai, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Karthikai float festival in November-December and Thai Poosam in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Visakam starrers and others pray here for relief from planetary adversities and believe that Lord Muruga graces all their wishes.There are 626 steps to reach the hill temple.  There are 16 steps to Lord Vinayaka shrine representing 16 types of wealth.

Mother Tirumalaikali graces at the top of the hill.Elephants were used to carry stone pillars and beams to the top of the hill while building the temple.  Those were the days when strong ropes were not available, they used ropes made of palm fibres and sometimes they gave in resulting in their rolling down.

When they were cut off and rolled down, it is said that an ascetic women, Sivakami Ammaiyar dared her life and stopped the stone with her head, crying Muruga, Muruga.The sacred spring at the top of the hill is called Ashta Padmakulam.  It is presently called Poonjunai.

A flower called Kuvalai mentioned in Tamil literatures blossomed here.  Only one flower would blossom a day.  The seven virgins (Saptha Kannikas) worshipped Muruga.  While the idols of Saptha Kannikas are found only in Lord Shiva temple, they are installed on the banks of the spring in this temple too.

The seven powers of Mother Parvathi are called Saptha Kannikas.Three herbal plants grew in this hill named Odavalli and Nalamoolika representing the powers of the stars Visaka, Kruthika and Uthara related to Lord Muruga worship.

Do's:

Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,temple information and for pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshiping of God and Goddess
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple
Do not Eat Non Vegetarian food in the Kshetram
Do not approach mediators for quick Dharshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple
Do not wear any head guards like helmets ,caps ,turbans and hats inside the temple premises