VALLIMALAI - MURUGAN TEMPLE

He changed the strategy and gained acquaintance with Nambirajan. And went to her house. When he was served cool realisable drink at the behest of her father, Muruga expressed that though his daha-thirst was quenched, the inner kamadaha was yet to be fulfilled. Incensed Valli emptied on him barrels of harsh words and drove him out. At long last Muruga sought the help of his brother Vinayaka, narrating all that happened. Forthwith, Vinayaka taking the form of elephant terrified and chased her to the spot, where Muruga was found assuming the form of an old man. She sought his help which luckily consummated in wedlock. This scene was enacted here and so became a sacred yatrasthala for all.

The. temple is modest sized, yet adorned with tasteful sculpture. The Moolavar gives darsan flanked by Valli and Devasena, considered as Ichchasakti and Kriyasakti. The icons are exquisitely chiselled and feast the viewers' eyes at once. Pallava and Nayak kings endowed the temple in several ways and left it as an invaluable heritage to the devotees in general. Here among the festivals, Tamil New Year's day is celebrated with unprecedented pomp and splendour as Murugan is the family deity of the whole Tamil speaking people. And above all, he is regarded as Gnanapandit, master of all arts and every branch of knowledge. Hence held highest.

This lies 30 kms off Tiruttani, the pilgrim town of Tamilnadu, accessible by bus.

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