Baladandayuthapani, Kumaran Malai, Pudukkottai

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Baladandayuthapani	Ambal / Thayar:	–
Deity:	Murugan	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:	Sangu Sunai Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):	500-1000
Timing:	7 to 12 & 5 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kumaran Malai	District:	Pudukkottai
Maps from (click):	Current location	Pudukkottai (10 km)	Karaikudi (41 km)
	Tiruchirappalli (59 km)	Thanjavur (80 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

Sethupati, who lived in this region, was a staunch devotee of Murugan. He would go on pilgrimage every year from here to Palani, taking the Kavadi. As he grew older, this became difficult until finally at the age of 80, he could no longer move beyond his village. He despaired of not being able to visit Palani, when one night, Murugan appeared in Sethupati’s dream and told him that he (Murugan) himself would come to Sethupati, and all that the latter had to do was to go to a hillock near his house.

There were several, the other markers that were indicated in the dream were a pouch of vibhuti, a lemon and a string of rudraksham beads, all lying next to a sangu plant. The following morning, Sethupati located the place, planted a vel and worshipped it as Murugan.

The same night, the local Thondaiman king also had an identical dream in which Murugan informed the king that he would be appearing for a devotee nearby, the following day. The king, though in disbelief, also reached the place the next day, and found Sethupati worshipping Murugan here.

Convinced of Murugan’s presence, the king helped build the temple that stands today. Because Sethupati’s preferred worship destination was Palani, the temple was built in the overall design of the Palani Murugan temple.

The temple is located on a small outcrop of rock, with a climb of about 40-50 steps. At the base are several small shrines, including for Vinayakar, Murugan and Siva.

As one climbs the steps, there is a lotus pond on the left, and a small lake to the right. The lotus pond actually belongs to the Vinayakar temple below.

Atop the hillock stands the west-facing shrine for Murugan, with its own dhwajasthambam, bali peetham and Mayura mandapam (for the peacock, Murugan’s vehicle), as also a vel that is planted into the ground. Inside is a rectangular mandapam followed by the ardha mandapam and garbhagriham. Outside are smaller shrines, including a separate Navagraham shrine and one for Ayyappan. There is a separate exit on the south, that leads to the Sangu Sunai Teertham.

Given the temple’s sthala puranam, and the fact that the Thondaimans rules this region between the 17^th and 20^th century, this temple is likely no more than 500 years old.

Though the temple is conceptually built on the lines of the Palani temple, the iconography of Murugan at this temple is a bit different from others. Present here as Bala Dandayudhapani, Murugan does not appear as an ascetic with arms akimbo. Instead, his hands are resting by his side, and his head sports a tuft (kudumi), much like at Vaithiswaran Koil.

Devotees worship Murugan here for a safe childbirth, relief from marriage-related problems, as well as cure from paralysis-type illnesses.