Subrahmanyar, Mailam, Viluppuram

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Subrahmanyar	Ambal / Thayar:	Valli, Deivanai
Deity:	Murugan	Historical name:
Vriksham:	Punnai	Teertham:	Varaha river
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12.30 & 4 to 8.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Mailam	District:	Viluppuram
Maps from (click):	Current location	Viluppuram (30 km)	Cuddalore (56 km)
	Tiruvannamalai (76 km)	Kanchipuram (98 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Though not one of the Arupadai Veedu temples, Mailam is very popular as a Murugan temple. However, the interesting thing about this temple is that it is actually a Siva temple, with Viswanathar and Visalakshi being the presiding deities.

Soorapadman, an asura, performed various austerities and obtained a boon from Siva, which made him very powerful. As a result, he took over all three worlds and began ill-treating everyone including the Devas, Rishis and Celestials, who went to Siva and begged him to save them. A boon once given cannot be taken back, and so Siva created six powerful sparks out of his third eye, which were carried by the six Krittikas, and became Kartikeya (Subrahmanyan, both being names for Murugan). Lord Murugan defeated Soorapadman on the sixth day (Sashti) of the Tamil month Karthikai. This incident is supposed to have taken place at Tiruchendur. Each year, this day (is celebrated as Kanda Sashti / Soora Samharam, and is a significant festival in Hinduism.

Murugan’s lance split Soorapadman (who had taken the form of a tree) in two. At that time, Soorapadman realized his faults, and begged Murugan to spare him, pledging to be with Him for all time. So Murugan asked him to go to Mailam and await Him. After Soorapadman spent some time here, one half of him became Murugan’s vehicle (the peacock) and the other half became the rooster (the mascot on Murugan’s flag). Soorapadman requested Murugan to remain on this hillock forever, to bless His devotees.

Sankakannan, one of Siva’s ganas, failed in his duty of guarding Parvati, and so was cursed by Siva to be born on earth. As a result, he was born as Balasiddha in the village of Bommapalayam (see below). Growing up, he had heard the story of Murugan and Soorapadman, decided that only Murugan could redeem him from the curse, and started worshipping Murugan accordingly. But because the curse was by His father Siva, Murugan refused to provide relief to Balasiddha, even despite being urged to do so by Valli and Devasena. His stubbornness led to his consorts leaving him and taking refuge under Balasiddha at his hermitage. Murugan entered the hermitage as a hunter, but Balasiddha recognised Him immediately, and fell at his feet. Pleased, Murugan relieved him from the curse, and Valli and Devasena also returned to Him. Murugan is seen in kalyana kolam with his consorts here at this temple. The temple’s tank is called Balasiddhar Agniteertham.

Arunagirinathar has sung about Murugan in his Tiruppugazh, at this temple.

The temple itself was constructed, and continues to be maintained, by the Veera Saiva mutt at Bommapalayam, located on the East Coast Road, about 35 km from Mailam and 7 km north of Pondicherry. Bommapalayam is a correction of Brahmapuram, as this village had been donated to brahmins by a local king.