Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple is located on top of a small hillock in the town of Gobichettipalayam in Erode District. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
The temple got its name ‘Pachaimalai’ from the presence of a spring beneath the presiding deity at the sanctum sanctorum. The temple shares many similarities with that of the Palani temple – both temples have the Lord in the form of Bala Dhandayuthapani, the shrines at both the temple face towards west and the Kadamba Tree is the temple tree at both temples.
History of Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Sage Dhurvasa, while offering his prayers to Lord Shiva at Modachur (outskirts of Gobichettipalayam), had wished to have a darshan of Lord Subramanya. In search of a temple around, he discovered a small hillock wherein he installed Lord Subramanya as Balakurama facing west following the advice of Lord Shiva.
The temple is more than 3000 years old. The structure that is seen today was renovated by P.K. Kuppuswamy Gounder in the year 1956.
Architecture & Deities of the Temple
The temple has a five-storey main Gopuram built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The presiding deity of the temple is Balamurugan, the child form of Lord Murugan. The deity measured 40 feet and is one of the largest Senthil Andavar stutues in the state.
The temple also houses various other shrines that include Vidya Ganapathy, Maragatheeswarar and his consort Maragathavalli, Kalyana Subramanyar with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Maragatha Venkatesa Perumal with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi, Dhakshinamurthi, Bhairavar and the Navagraha.
Temple Timings – Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
The temple is open on all days from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Pooja Details – Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Special poojas are conducted every Tuesday, New Moon Day (Amavasya), Sankatahara Chathurthi (Waning Period), Pradhosham, Full Moon Day (Pournami), Thiepirai Bhairavar Yaagam, Shashti and Kiruthigai. The temple is populary knows for its traditional customs and rituals followed, Vaasthu Pooja being one among them.
The poojas are conducted on an everyday basis at seven times during a day.
Temple Festivals – Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
- The Brahmotsavam Festival during the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April). It is a seven day festival celebrated with much grandeur marking the culmination of festival on the Panguni Uthiram day.
- Skandha Shashti Soorasamharam Festival (October-November)
- Thirukalyana Utsavam (October-November)
- Thai Poosam (January-February)
- Vaikaasi Visaagam ‘Latcharchanai'(May-June)
- Karthigai Deepam Festival (November-December)
How to reach Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple
Pachaimalai is situated near Pudupalayam in the outskirts of Gobichettipalayam. Gobichettipalayam is well connected with major cities and direct buses are available from Gobichettipalayam to the temple. Erode is the nearest railway station (around 40 kilometres away). The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (around 85 kilometres away).
Epilogue
The aura of the festivals conducted in the temple and the grand manner in which Lord Murugan is adorned during the festivals is a sight to behold and immerse oneself in pure devotion.