Topic: Hinduism Reflection Paper

Name : J. Meshak Class : BD - III

Submitted to : Dr. Muthuraj Swamy Date : 15:09:2016

This refection paper I would like to discuss about my experience in the Hinduism, mainly
about Sri Subramaniyar Swami ThiruKovil, Vallioor. And I discuss with my Hindu friend
Murganandam, aboth this temple. I also entered this temple when I was in the child.
Mainly this temple Lord Murgan in the main God. Every day early morning 5 am they
opening the gate, closing at 10 pm. Monthly once they celebrating the ‘Girivalam’ it’s on
only Friday, on the day people are rounding at the temple in 3 times. Yearly once they
celebrate the “Ther Thiruvizha, and Theppa Thiruvizha” on that day celebration will go at
least ten days. On every day evening different caste people they will conduct the musical
programme (Kacheri). In this two festival people those who are coming outside people
come and attend this festivals. In Ther Thiruvizha the celebration will going on the ten
days. Every day morning and evening special pooja will be conducting by the Iyer. Every
day evening 6.00pm surrounding the temple coming with Ther every hindu people infront
of their house giving the Archani plate, broke the Coconut. In the 9 th day of celebration
the huge Ther moring 9 o clock starting the Bavni in surrounding the temple those people
doing some archani, broke the coconut, and it will be finish at evening 3 o clock. And the
‘Theppa Thiruvizha’ in surrounding the temple has two pool call ‘Theppa Kulam’ during
in this festival The Lord Murugan roaming in the ‘Theppam’ a lot of people watching this
Lord Murgan Dharisanam. In the temple inside there are two mandabam one is called
arthamandabam, and the other one is called Mahamandabam. Surrounding the temple
there is huge mountain is their (that is called Pothai). During the festival times this pothai
decorate with the colour lights. Mainly this pothai the Lord Murugan roaming with his
Vaganam with peacock. One time he is coming with his vaganam unfortunately he killed
the peacock. In this temple has a ‘Suranga Padhai’ one of the king he did for this Padhai.
Now this suranga padahi they are not using, now a day it was closed no one allowing with
this padhai. Valli native place is Vallioor, her father name is Nambi Rajan, when Lord
murugan came to this place Murugan marrying valli. And he stayed in this place lot of
years. After that temple built by one of kings. The tirunelveli district this is the one who
built in the cave temple.
It is famous for the Murugan temple. Valli is the consort of Lord Muruga and Oor in
Tamil means village. So, Vallioor = Valli + Oor, the village of Valli. The breath-taking
beautiful, the hills of Vallioor, the temple of Lord Muruga (also called Lord Karthikeya)
which is located in a cave under the hill. The Vallioor Murugan temple is located in close
nearness to the Valliyoor railway station. It has been valued by the Tiruppukazh hymns of
Arunagirinathar. The presiding deity here is Subramaniyar, and the temple an image of
Murugan with that of his partner Valli. The temple has a rock-cut temple impressed out of
a hill and several mandapams surrounding it. There are also memorials to Natarajar and
Dakshinamūrti here. Lord Muruga came to Vallioor immediately after marrying Valli.
References are indicated in the Kandapuran. Valli was so much in love with Lord Muruga
that she refused to allow Deivanai in her domain. Deivanai was almost in tears and it was
only sage Agastya who comforted Deivanai and took her to Valli and explained to her
that Deivanai be treated like her sister. As this place belonged to Valli who seems to have
had a dominating nature, it is not surprising that women born in Vallioor are said to be
extremely demanding wives after their marriage. Not a surprise - because it appears Lord
Muruga simply protected Valli. The deity here is called Subramaniyar, has seen with that
of his consort Valli. There are many temple entries are presented in this temple. The other
deities we can see here is Dakshinamurti, Natarajar. The Saravanapoikai tank located in
this temple is very famous. People used to go round the hill as "Girivalam" during festival
days. Skanda Sashti, Chithra pournami festivals are celebrated in this temple with great
splendor.

No one has ever returned empty-handed from the Vallioor Murugan temple. Childless
couples have visited Vallioor, prayed and have come back to pay their respects after their
wish was fulfilled by Lord Muruga. Vallioor Murugan looks at you and says “Yamirukka
Bhayamen” (Why fear when I am here) and that quantities up the power of this memorial
which is located amidst attractive Mahendragiri hills. Lord Muruga is someone who
rushes to your rescue provided you remember him.

In the entire Tirunelveli district, Vallioor has the rare distinction of having the one and
only cave temple of Lord Muruga. A rock named as Pooranagiri was quarried to build
this temple. The temple shape is in the form of “Om”. Lord Muruga stands in the temple
supplemented by his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Note that Lord Muruga has four arms
and the idol is a model of the one in Vallioor. On his right hand are flowers and his left
hand is holding onto his thigh. Next to the temple is located the artha mandapam and then
the maha mandapam. In the artha mandapam, Lord Arumuga gives darshan along with
Valli - Deivanai. To facilitate circumambulation of the artha mandapam, the hill has been
drilled to set up a cave path till the temple of Lord Shiva. In this temple, Lord Shiva is
called as Jayandeeswarar. The shiva ling faces the west in this temple which is considered
very positive.

Opposite Lord Muruga is placed the idol of peacock which is Lord Muruga’s vehicle
(vaganam). The artha mandapam also has the idols of Vinayaka, Veerabahu and Veera
Mahendran. On the right side of the artha mandapam is a cave. Alongside the entrance of
the cave are Vinayaka, sastha (ayyappa) and Lord Shiva. The Murugan temple has 13th
century stone carvings. The temple also has a specific temple dedicate to Valli – consort
of Lord Muruga. The maha mandapam has kashi vishwanadhar, visalakshi and shani
bhagwan. There is also Dakshinamurthy (Guru Bhagavan) idol in the temple.  

Legend has it that Lord Muruga created this pond with the help of his weapon the unique
“vel” when Valli requested him for the same. During festive occasions, the Vallioor
Murugan temple has its own attraction and the entire village gatherings around the temple
to take part in the festivities.

Festivals

Chitra Vishu (April 14), Chitra Pournami (May 6), Vasantham (Spring) festival, Adi
Amavasya, Pongal, Makara Sankaranthi, Mahashivarathri. During the celebrated Karttik
month, lamps are lighted in the adjoining hills. The popular soora-samhara festival is also
celebrated with show in Vallioor. Soora-samhara is an important event during which Lord
Muruga decimates all his enemies. (Soora - Evil, Samhara - Kill)

Pooja timings

5.30 – 6.00 am – Vishwaroopam

6.30 – 7.00 am – Udayamarthandam

7.30 – 8.00 am – Festival Pooja

8.30 – 9.00 am – Chirukalasanthi

11.00-11.30 am – Ucchikaal pooja

5.30 – 6.00 pm – Sayaaratchai pooja

8.00 – 8.30 pm – Arthachamam pooja

Every day at 7:30 am in the morning, abhishekams are performed for Lord Muruga. On
special occasions like Sasthi, Lord Muruga and his consorts are decorated with flowers
and clothes and a procession is taken in silver peacock vehicles.

This is my experience and my Hindu friend told about the Sri Subramaniyar Swami
ThiruKovil. Even my house also near this temple, I also went visit this temple two or
three times. Every pillar has a different Sirpam, in the ‘karuvarai’ they were not allowed
the people, only poojari allowed to the karuvarai. In this experience a help lot know about
the Hinduism.