Pazhamutircolai is situated 19 kilometres from
the temple town of Madurai. The place is full of natural beauty and
sylvan surroundings. This hill is also known as Vrishabhadri or
Idabagiri. At the foot of the hill is situated Azhakar Kovil, which is
one among the 108 divyadesams sanctified by the hymns of Azhwars sung in
praise of the Vishnu enshrined in this temple. Atop the hill Lord
Muruga stands majestically in the temple as the Lord of the Hills
popularly known as Kurinji Nilakkizhavan in Tamil. The temple of Pazhamutircolai can be reached by a motorable road leading to the hill.
Pazhamutircholai is mentioned as the sixth of Lord Murugan's Aaru Patai Vidukal, the six holiest Murugan shrines described by Cankam poet Nakkirar in his poem Tirumurukarruppatai.
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 Pazhamutircholai with the
shrine of Palamutircolai, twelve miles north of Madurai in the Alagar
Hills, above the Alagarcoil 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
Rakkayi Amman. The Nûpura Ganga atop the hill is said to originated 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, a standing testimony to the vivid description of the place's
natural beauty as found in Tirumurugattruppadaiof 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 idol of
Lord Muruga in a standing posture has a single face and four hands with
Valli and Teyvayanai on both sides. The Vel made up of stone is of
special significance and is worshipped with a 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
Pazhamutircolai 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.
Arunagirinathar also reveres this shrine
in his Tiruppukal. Arunagirinatha sang 16 Tiruppugzh psalms to
Pazhamutircolai 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 Pazhamutircolai. 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 Palamutircholai south of Madurai is another of the Aaru Patai Vedukal, Tirupparankunram.
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