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In Tamil, "pachaimalai" means "green hill".[2] It is believed that a water spring runs directly below the garbhagriha, giving the hill its name. During a drought from 2001 to 2005, water was still available at the top of the hill, even as wells around went dry.[3]
Mythology
According to Hindu legend, Saint Durvasa once visited a temple of Lord Shiva at Kunnathur during his stay in Kongu Nadu. His mystic powers revealed to him that Modachur, a village near Gobichettipalayam, was the most suitable place for undertaking penance dedicated to Lord Shiva. He traveled to Modachur and performed penance. However, he also longed to witnessMurugan. On Lord Shiva's advice, he travelled to Pachaimalai, worshipped Sri Murugan under the epithet of Dhandayuthapani and installed a statue of him facing towards the west.
History
By the 1950s, the temple at Pachaimalai received few visitors and was deteriorating. However, in 1954, Amarar P. K. Kuppusamy Gounder is said to have seen a divine light emanating from the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. He endeavored to start regular poojas (Swarnabhandana Kumbabishekam[4]) and codified the rituals and events at the temple. The temple was rebuilt by 1980.
Architecture
The temple includes a five-story gopuram. The main deity is a child form of Lord Murugan, referred to by the epithet of "Sri Bala Dhandayuthapani." He is installed facing west, and is joined to its pedestal with gold. The temple also features a second, 40-feet-tall (12.2 m) statue of Murugan under the epithet of Senthilandavar, visible from the town of Gobichettipalayam.
Pachaimalai is known for the six-faced idol of Murugan named Shanmugar,. Every month during Visakam, Shasti, and Kiruthigai, Abhishekam and a unique archana are performed for the deity. During the time of Skandha Shasti, Shanmugarchanai is performed for six consecutive days. There is also an annual temple festival called the Bhramotsava, which falls in the month of Panguni. Over the course of this festival, Shanmugar is clothed in white (symbolizing Brahma), red (symbolizing Shiva), and green (symbolizing Vishnu). Shanmugar is dressed in green attire on the day of Panguni Uthiram. On that day, devotees worship Shanmugar by offering green flowers, clothes, and rosewater to him.
Red Attire - Symbolizing Shiva
White Attire - Symbolizing Brahma
Green Attire - Symbolizing Vishnu
Covered Palanquin
Kalyana Subramanya
At Pachaimalai, A statue of a deity named Sri Kalyana Subramanya, which is believed to be over 600 years old, presides over a chariot festival every year during Panguni Uthiram. During the festivals Panguni Uthiram, Thai Poosam, and Kandar Shasti, the idol is also ritually remarried to his consorts. During the festival of Kandar Shasti, the statue also ritually "fasts" for seven days. Soorasamharam (சூரசம்ஹாரம்) is also enacted by him in Gobichettipalayam.
Arulmigu Kalyana Subramaniar
Kadamba Tree
A particular kadamba tree is honored as the Sthala Viruksham at Pachaimalai, and is extremely auspicious. One epithet for Lord Murugan, "Kadamban" is derived from the name of this tree. The tree flowers only during the month of Chitirai.
Poojas
There are seven poojas scheduled daily at the temple. The pooja at 7 p.m. is considered particularly auspicious.
The temple's Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated in Panguni. On the first six days of the festival, the Kalyana Subramanyar idol is taken in a procession. On each day, he is placed on a different vahanam (animal mount). Specifically, the mounts are the Bootha Vahanam, Yaanai Vahanam (Elephant), Rishaba Vahanam (Ox), Annapatchi Vahanam (Swan), and Attukidai Vahanam (Goat). On the sixth day, the Thiru Kalyana Utsavam (ritual wedding) is performed, and the statue is placed on a wooden chariot. On the day of Panguni Uthiram, the temple is visited by thousands of devotees who carry Kavadi and perform abishekam. The massive temple chariot is run on the same evening. Annadhanam is done to feed the thousands of devotees who visit the temple throughout the day.[6]
Skandha Shasti Soorasamharam
The Skanda Shasti Soorasamharam festival is enacted in the town of Gobichettipalayam. In the Soorasamharam, the deity, mounted on an elephant, defeats and gives salvation to Soorapadman, the personification of Ego. The festival is a symbolic celebration of the victory of the good over evil. The deity and devotees undertake "Kandar Shasti Viratham," or fasting for seven days. The fast is broken the day after Kandar Shasti, after the Thirukalyana Utsavam.
The Tamil months from Thai to Aani fall under the Uttarayanam phase, traditionally regarded as a spiritually auspicious period. It is believed that during this time, the Devas (celestial beings) become active, bestowing blessings upon humanity. Among these months, Thai holds particular significance as a time of renewal and opportunity.
Religious observances intensify during Thai Poosam, a festival that occurs when the Poosam (Pushya) star aligns with the full moon. This celestial event is considered especially sacred, as Prajapati, the presiding deity of Poosam and the leader of the Devas, is believed to confer heightened spiritual energy on this day.
During the first half of the day, Kavadi abishekam is performed continuously. During the later part of the day, the presiding Deity of the temple graces in Thanga Kavasam—the golden Kavacha.
Vaikaasi Visaagam 'Lacharchanai'
The annual Lacharchanai is conducted during Vaikasi Visakam for three days. On the final day, Shatru Samhara Homam and a grand abishekam are done for the deity.
Special practices
Shatru Samhara Thirisadai Archanai
Shatru Samhara Thirisadai Archanai glorifies and invokes Murugan, using the six syllables of Sa, Ra, Va, Na, Bha, and Va in different arrangements. It is done at Pachaimalai every Tuesday morning. Devotees are encouraged to recite the mantras along with the acharyas.
The term "Shatru Samhara" means "destruction of enemies," and "Trishati" refers to a set of 300 sacred names of the deity. The "enemies" are not just external threats, but also internal obstacles, including anger, desire, greed, ego, and other negative emotions that disrupt inner peace. The ritual seeks protection from everyday problems such as illnesses, bad luck, and negative energies.
The prayer ritual involves chanting powerful bija aksharas (seed syllables or mantras). Devotees perform this pooja to seek strength, clarity, and divine protection in their personal and spiritual lives. It is also considered to bestow the boon of marriage and children.
Shatru Samhara Homam
Shatru Shamkara Homam is a yagna invoking Murugan. The purpose is to free oneself from the evils within oneself, such as anger, ego, jealousy, and arrogance. Furthermore, it also cures the ill effects of pilli soonya (black magic). Shatru Shamkara Homam is done grandly at Pachaimalai during Vaikasi Visagam (birth star of Muruga). It is performed for six consecutive days during Skandha Shasti and Panguni Uthiram.
Thaarabishekam
Thaarabishekam is a Vedic ceremony in which milk is dripped slowly on the Deity, through a Tharai or a Vessel. The ceremony is accompanied by the recitation of Rudram eleven times, invoking Shiva as Rudra and Parabramha.
Thaaraabishekam is done simultaneously for the presiding deity) and Sri Maragatheeshwarar. It is done regularly during Agni Natchatiram, the hottest period of the year.
Thei Pirai Ashtami Bhairava Pooja
On every Thei Pirai Ashtami, special poojas and homam are conducted for Kala Bhairava. The rituals begin in the evening with the Maha Kala Bhairava Homam. It is believed that participation in this homa will protect one from evil deeds. The homam or the yagna is followed by special abisheka (ritual bathing) for Kala Bhairava. Punuku is offered to the deity. At the end of the pooja, bitter gourd, rice and vada are given as prasadam. This pooja attracts hundreds of devotees every month.
Annadhaanam
Pachaimalai is also well-known for Annadhaanam – the act of feeding the devotees. Annadhanam regularly follows the ceremonies at the temple. This temple is covered under the Annadhaanam Scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
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