Viralimalai Murugan Temple, Tiruchirappalli - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Viralimalai Murugan Temple

At a distance of 28 Km from Trichy and 43 Km from Pudukkottai, Viralimalai Murugan Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located in the the town of Viralimalai near Trichy. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subrahmanya, it is one of the prominent pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu, and among the famous temples to visit near Trichy. The temple is located on Viralimalai hill, providing sweeping vistas of the nearby hills and verdant landscapes. The temple takes its name from the Viralimalai hill, where it is located. This temple is renowned for its distinctive custom of presenting peacock feathers to Lord Murugan, a practice thought to bestow good fortune and prosperity upon the worshippers.

History of Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The Veralimalai Hill where the temple is located exhibits evidence of early human settlement and may have been associated with the nearby village of Kodumbalur. It is thought that the renowned Pallava king, Nandivarman II, was responsible for the temple's construction. Subsequently, during the Chola dynasty, various renovations and reconstruction efforts were undertaken within the temple. Following the acquisition of the temple and its associated properties by Vadi Lakkaiya Naicker, renovations were carried out by their successors and the descendants of Marungapuriyar. In the 18th century, the temple came under the administration of Pudukottai Thondaiman. During the 19th century, amidst the Karnataka War, Viralimalai served as a military hospital before being transformed back into a temple.

Mythology of Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The temple boasts a profound history intertwined with numerous legends and myths. One such legend recounts that after vanquishing the demon Surapadman, Lord Murugan visited Viralimalai and took a moment to rest. The temple is also referenced in the esteemed works of the renowned Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. According to another tale, a Kura tree once stood at the site of the current temple. A hunter, in pursuit of a tiger, witnessed the animal vanish at this location, leading to the belief that Lord Murugan was present at the moment of the tiger's disappearance, prompting the initiation of worship by the local populace. Furthermore, Lord Muruga guided Saint Arunagiriar, who was traveling from Vayalur, to Viralimalai and imparted to him the rare eight miraculous arts known as Ashtama Siddhis. This temple is notable for housing 18 Tirupugazh hymns composed by Arunagirinathar. Mythology suggests that both Vashishtar and his wife Arundhati prayed at this site to alleviate their curses, while saints such as Kashyapa Munivar and Naradar are also believed to have sought refuge here to dispel their afflictions.

A unique offering at this temple is a cigar crafted from sandalwood paste. The representative of the Palayamkarar, Karupamuthu Pillai, would visit the temple every Friday. On one occasion, heavy rains caused flooding, breaking the bunds of tanks and inundating the river Mamundi, which isolated Karupamuthu Pillai from the mainland. Deprived of food and cigars, he found himself in great distress as a habitual smoker. In his moment of need, Lord Murugan appeared before him, providing a cigar and a matchstick, and escorted him to the temple for darshan. Since that day, cigars have been offered to Lord Murugan alongside neiveidyam and distributed as prasadam to the devotees.

Architecture of Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The Arulmigu Viralimalai Murugan Temple exemplifies the Dravidian architectural style, characterized by a tall and intricately designed gopuram. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the principal idol of Lord Murugan is oriented towards the east. This idol, approximately 11 feet in height, is crafted from black granite and depicts Lord Murugan in the form of Arulmugan, possessing six faces and twelve hands, seated gracefully upon a peacock. Flanking the idol are the divine consorts, Valli and Devayani. Devotees are able to view three faces at the back through a mirror, while the other three faces are visible directly. The temple's surroundings are lush with dense vegetation, and it is particularly renowned for the abundance of peacocks present in the area. Within the temple grounds, one can find statues of Kashyapa and Narada Muni, as well as numerous sculptures of Arumugan and Arunagirinathar adorning the pillars.

The temple's architecture is designed to allow sunlight to illuminate the feet of the deity on a specific day in March, a day that devotees celebrate with great reverence. To access the temple, one must ascend 207 steps. At the base of the hill lies a water tank known as Saravana Poigai. On the eastern side, there is a shrine dedicated to the goddess Maikannudaiyal, and it is customary for worshippers to pay their respects to her before ascending the hill. Along the path to the hill, there is a small cave temple dedicated to Meenakshi Sundreshwarar, as well as a Mandapam named Sandana Kottam located at the top of the steps.

Another important feature of the temple is the peacock sanctuary, located at the foothills of the temple. The refuge is home to several peacocks and is a favourite spot for tourists and nature lovers.

Festivals of Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The Viralimalai Temple hosts several prominent festivals, including Thaipusam in February/March, Skanda Sashti in October/November and Panguni Uthiram in March/April. These events draw numerous devotees from the surrounding areas come to engage in the celebrations and seek the blessings of Lord Murugan. Thaipusam, in particular, is a notable Hindu festival honoring Lord Murugan, characterized by a variety of rituals. Devotees frequently perform acts of penance and devotion, such as Kavadi Aattam, during which they carry 'Kavadi' structures, often adorned with offerings and affixed to their bodies using hooks and skewers.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Viralimalai Murugan Temple

Visitors to the Viralimalai Murugan Temple are expected to dress modestly and respectfully, typically with conservative clothing covering shoulders and knees. Male devotees are encouraged to don a dhoti, shirt, pajama, or a combination of pants and a shirt, while female visitors should opt for saris, salwar kameez, or long skirts paired with blouses and a dupatta.

Access to the sanctum sanctorum of the Viralimalai Temple is generally limited to Hindus, as it serves as a place of worship for the Hindu community. However, they are permitted to admire the temple's architecture from the exterior.

Viralimalai Murugan Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM

Viralimalai Murugan Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The ideal time to visit the Murugan Temple is during the cooler months from October to March when the climate is agreeable and suitable for exploration. For an enriched spiritual and cultural experience, the most favorable time to visit is during the Skanda Shasti festival that is celebrated during the month of November/ December when the temple is filled with vibrant activities. However, if you are looking to avoid the crowd and enjoy a more tranquil darshan, it would be advisable to plan a visit between July and September. It is recommended to avoid the summer months due to the excessive heat and humidity.

How to Reach Viralimalai Murugan Temple

Viralimalai Murugan Temple is located 25 Km from Trichy which is well-connected by flight, train, and bus with all the major towns, and cities of Tamil Nadu. Government and private bus services are available to reach the temple from Trichy. Besides, one can also hire a cab or auto-rickshaw to reach the Viralimalai from Trichy. From the foot of the hill a beautiful flight of 207 steps take visitors to the top where the Murugan Shrine is situated.