Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple

The Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple is a small Hindu temple in the village of Ayikudi, Thirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple visited by pilgrims and tourists who come to visit Kutralam Falls, Kasi Vishwanathar Temple Tenkasi and Thiruchendur.

History

Until 1947 this area was in the realm of the Travancore Kings. The temple is situated on the banks of Hanuman Nadhi. Sri Hanuman was said to have stopped by and rested on the banks of this river on his way to Lanka, hence the river was named Hanuman nadhi. This is why Rama and Subramanya are popular names in this region.

Lord Karthikeya appears among five Vrikshas (trees) and the five Devatas in the form of a young Balasubramanya. The five Vrikshams are Arasu (Surya), Vembu neem (Ambhikai), Kariveppilai Curry leaves tree ( Mahesha), Madhulai (Ganesha) & Mavilangu (Vishnu).

A devotee named Mallan at Nanjaipara found the main deity Idol of the temple in the Mallam River. Once there lived a Brahmin Mugura Bhakthar sanyasi who obtained Samādhi in that area. His samadhi was built on the shores of Hanuman Nadhi. An Arasa Tree was planted at that place & his community conducted pujas & ceremonies there. The idol of Balasubramanya that was found at Mallapuram was installed on the samadhi of that Sanyasi and the pujas were continued.

Until 1931 the top of the temple was only made of coconut and palm leaves. About 150 years ago the Thiruvadhankur Royal family took up the temple management. Then the temple was renovated and festivals were organized. The Utsava Murthi was known as Muthukumara swami. The Balasubramanya Mulavar Pujas were conducted in the traditional way by the sangethi Brahmins and the Utsava pujas & processions were conducted by Shivacharyas.

Balasubramanya Swami Temple During Soora Samharam Festival

The Idol

Both the Mulavar and the Utsavar are identical, the idol is a small Vigraham, with the young baby faced Muruga, with four hands Vajram, Shaktivaram & Abhayam with a Peacock on the left and the lord sits on a lotus Padmapeetam. The name of one of the five trees(sthala virksham), is Madhulai and not Madhalai.

Special ways of Prayer

The Arasa leaf Vibhuthi Prasadham (Holy Ash) available in this temple is very powerful. Padi Payasam, Kavadi, Pallkudam are some of the important ways in which the devotees show their love to the Lord. According to legend, on the steps leading to the Hanuman nadhi Sri Balamuruga takes payasam along with other children.

Special Days

During Aipasi month (November 15 to December 15),i.e. After thula masa ammavasai shukala shasti Skandha shasti Soorasamharam festivities are held for seven days in this temple. Each day of the Utsavam the Lord is decorated differently and devotees attend the festivities. Special pujas are conducted in the temple during Chithirai Vishu, Vaigasi Vishakam & Masi Makam. The lord is taken on the Peacock on the streets as a procession around the temple.

Devotees believe that those who get the dharshan and pray to this Balasubramanya will attain prosperity.

Hanuman River

See these also

Ayikudi

Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu

Chennai	Ashtalakshmi Kovil Chennakesava Perumal Temple, Chennai Ekambareswarar Temple, Chennai Ettampadai Kalikambal Temple Kapaleeshwarar Temple Madhya Kailash Mallikesvarar Temple, Chennai Marundeeswarar Temple Nandeeswarar Temple Parthasarathy Temple Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Prathyangira Devi Temple, Shollinganallur Ravishwarar Sri Balaji Temple, T. Nagar Tiruvalithayam Vadapalani Andavar Temple Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Jagannath Temple

Tirunelveli district	Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Pathai Nellaiappar Temple Sankaranayinarkoil Thirukutralam Thirumalai Kovil Vaithya lingam temple Vanniappar Temple

Vellore district	Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai Engan Murugan Temple Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple Kothandarama Temple, Thillaivilagam Nadutariappar Temple Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram

Coordinates: 9°00′18″N 77°20′29″E / 9.005106°N 77.341355°E / 9.005106; 77.341355

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