Pavalamalai Muthukumara Swamy Temple
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| Pavalamalai Muthukumara Swamy Temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Erode |
| Deity | Murugan |
| Festivals | |
| Location | |
| Location | Pavalamalai, Gobichettipalayam |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Coordinates | 11°27′34″N 77°27′14″E / 11.45944°N 77.45389°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
The Pavalamalai Muthukumara Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Murugan, located near Gobichettipalayam in Tamil Nadu. The temple is located atop of a small hillock.
According to temple legend, the origins can be traced back to Hindu mythology. Vayu, the wind god, and Adhisesha, the lord of serpents, had a dispute as to who is stronger. While Vayu blew with full force, Adhisesha bound himself to the mythical Mount Meru. Parts of the mountain were dislodged due to the force of the wind, and fell to the Earth. One such piece formed the Pavala Malai, meaning hill of coral in Tamil language. As per Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam, when Murugan chose to retreat to the Palani Hills, he chose the hill as one of his abode, and a temple was built later.[1][2][3] The hill finds mention in the Thirukutrala kuravanji composed by Thirigudarasapa Kavirayar in the 17th century CE.[1]
Shrines
The main deity is represented as a young and celibate Murugan.[1] There are individual shrines for his consorts Deivanai and Valli.[1][3] In the premises of the temple, there are shrines dedicated to various other Hindu gods and goddesses, including Ganapathy, Kailasanathar and his consort Periya Nayagi, and the Navagraha.[1][2][3] Shiva is manifested as a swayambu lingam.[2] There is also a shrine of Idumban.[2][3]