Location(SEE IN MAP)
Situated in Thenkasi Taluk, in
Thrunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, on the banks of Hanuman Nadi near Kutralam
is Ariyar kudi or Arya Kuti – 'the abode of noble people', popularly known as
Ayikudi, is this beautiful temple for Young Bala Muruga Peruman,.
Main
Deity
The main deity is a beautiful small
mulavar murthy of Balasubramanya Swamy, also popularly known here as Rama
Subramanya Swamy.He is believed to have been found by a villager in the nearby
Mallapuram Eri (irrigation tank). A similar looking Utsavar Murthy of this
temple is Muthukumaraswamy, standing next to a peacock on a Padma peetam. Both
the Moolavar & Utsava Murthys are so beautiful that the darshan of
Karunamurthi Bala Muruga is a treat to all the bhaktas who visit this temple.
Pancha
Vruksha
This Lord Muruga temple is on the
banks of Hanuman Nadi, depicted under five trees. The main Sthala-Vruksha(sacred
tree) is Arasa Maram or the Pipal tree. The other four are Vembu – Neem tree,
Karuvepilai – Curry leaf tree, Madhulai- Pomegranate Tree and Mavilangu.
Pancha
Devas
The importance of this temple is
that many Devatha are worshiped in this Sthala (holy site). On the right side
of the Moola Vigraha (main deity) are Mahadeva, Mahavishnu, Ambikai, and Ganesha
and on the left side of the Moolavar is Aditya (Surya) and these are the
Pancha-Devatas of this temple. The main Moolavar Sannadi is of Balasubramanya
who is located under the Pancha-Vrukshas and in the middle of the Pancha
Devathas. Sri Rama & Hanuman are always remembered on these riverbanks. The
temple is known for attaining Karya Siddhi or success in endeavors and
Pillaiperu or childbirth for bhaktas who visit and participate in the pujas and
sponsor the special offering of 'Hanuman Nadi Padi-Payasam'.
Legend
On the way in search of Sita Devi,
Hanuman was very thirsty. He did not want to go in search of water. It is
believed that with the sharp edge of his tail he created a Nadi(stream or a
small river) and quenched his thirst. Hence the Nadi here is called Hanuman
Nadi. Sri Rama drank water from this Nadi and rested on its banks. Since this
temple and the Nadi are devoted to Lord Subramania and Sri Rama, the nama
Rama-subramanian is a popular name given to children born in this area. Rama
Sita Anjaneya images are carved in the pillars of this temple Mandapam.
History
Once upon a time there lived a Bhakta
in Ayikudi Kezh (lower) Agraharam, who become a saint and attained siddhi in
this area. His Kaushika vamsa descendants made his Samadhi on the banks of the
Hanuman Nadi, where he had propagated Hindu Dharma and his Bhakthi for Sri Rama
and Lord Subramanya, and planted the first Pipal tree there. The Balasubramania
vigraha was later found and was installed on his Adhishtaanam with Subrahmanya
Shadaksharikalpa Agama Sastra traditions and a small temple was built and pujas
conducted by the descendant families.
Until 1931 the roof of the temple
was made by coconut & palm leaves. The Travancore Maharaja who happened to
visit this area appreciated the devotion of the villagers and decided to help
in completing this temple. In about mid 1800s the temple management was taken
up by Travancore Samsthanam and they renovated the temple, building the roof
and Gopuram, Mayil Mandapam, Mani Mandapam, Praharams and Padithurais around
this with all the Pancha Vrukshas and the Pancha Devatas. Then the Utsava Murti
was made and grand festivals were arranged by the government, which the
villagers enjoyed and participated. Until 1947 the temple was under the
Travancore government management.
Pushkarni
Earlier days many pundits got down
into the Hanuman Nadi and did ablutions in the water. The water was used for
ceremonies and ritual cleansing by devotees. The sweet tasty water from this
Nadi is believed to cure diseases and maladies and gives complete wisdom and
long life to the Bhakta. The Padi Payasam Prasad used is made on the shores from
this water.
Festivals
Skanda Shashti Soora Samhara
festival, Chithirai Vishu, Vaigasi Vishakam, Masi Makam, Thaipusam are special
festivals of this temple. Hanuman Nadi Padi Payasam, Palkudam, Kavadi are
important forms of worship in this temple. This temple Arasa Elai Vibhudhi
Prasadham that is the holy ashes given folded in a pipal leaf, is very popular
and auspicious. This is one temple where several deities are adored and divine
Balasubramanya bestows all boons to bhaktas who visit this shrine.
Address
Sri Balasubrtamanya Swami
Devasthanam Ayikudi P.O, Tenkasi Taluk, TN 627 852 Telephone: 91- 4633 - 267636
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