Pazhamudircholai
Located just about 25 km away from the nearest town, Madurai, Pazhamudircholai is one of the prominent temples in Tamil Nadu observing a lot of visitors from different part of the countries and tourists from around the world. Known as Arupadai Veedu, the temple is one of the six major abodes of the Lord Muruga. Located at the hill known as Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri, the temple attracts many people for the architectural beauty and the serenity it provides to the people visiting.
The other abodes of the Lord Muruga are;
- Thiruparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple
- Palani Dandayudhapani Swami Temple
- Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple
- Tiruchendur Senthil Andavar Temple
- Tiruttani Subramanya Swamy Temple
All of these temples are located at different places spread across Tamil Nadu. However, Pazhamudhir Solai temple is built at the top of a hill and surrounded by dense forests. It also stays near the temple of Lord Vishnu Azhagar Kovil. Azhagar Kovil temple is located at the foot of this hill.
At this temple, much to the joy of the people visiting the temple, the Lord Muruga is worshipped with two of his divine consorts; Goddesses Deivayanai and Valli. Apart from visiting the temple to seek the divine blessings of the Lord, many people come to this temple with prayers for child, wedding and even for academic blessings. There are references of this great temple in many of the old Tamil literatures such as Silappathikaram, Pathupattu and Ettuthogai.
The hill and surrounding areas of the temple are a great place to appreciate the abundant natural beauty. It is also blessed with great flora and fauna that are indigenous to this very area of the hill. Those who prefer to visit the temple walking can take a trek uphill though the monkey-infested causeway across the green forests. There is a natural spring near the temple that is a great place to spend some quality time. Most of the devotees take holy bath in this spring.
Apart from the mesmerizing beauty of the surrounding hill, the next greatest thing one can enjoy is the exceptional architectural brilliance that is on display within the temple. With a distinct feel and the coloring scheme, the temple takes great pride in displaying the unique styling of South Indian architectural prowess and craft. Those interested in understanding the nuanced and intricate architectural brilliance of ancient South Indian dynasties will find this temple a paradise.
There are several festivals celebrated at the temple, and hence, visiting the temple during any of the festivals can add great excitement and thrill to your vacation. However, if you are keen on having a calm and quiet time at the temple, choosing a time other than during the festivals is the best choice to make.
The temple is well connected to the nearest town, Madurai. There are good roads from the town that can be used to reach the temple. Various types of transportation are also available from the town to the temple; from scheduled buses to taxis to tourist vehicles.
