A
little bit of the temple's origin and growth is expedient
at this stage. So listen. The hoary past of the temple fortunately
is recorded date-wise, and achieves furnish the dates and
details of many major monumental events with commendable
precession and they are accepted by scholars and specialists.
It is record that Maharishi Bhoga created the 'Navapashana'
image of Muruga in consultation and with the cooperation
of the leading siddhas in 3000 B.C. Among the sacred scriptures,
"Thollkapiam" embodies adequate proof of Murugan's
popularity prior to the beginning of Christian era.
This describes Muruga as the Lord of hills. Later in the
first century A.D. The great poet Nakkirar after due examination
of several hill temples, placed Avinankudi, the place where
Muruga set his foot first on leaving Kails over a petty,
yet pretty quarrel with his parents, as the third in the
list of size "Arupadaiveedugal" of Muruga. Many
literacy works of Sangar period contain passages testifying
to the popularity of Muruga and the spreading of his cult
in the south.
It
was in the eighth century when Cheraman Perumal of Kerala
kingdom in the throne, construction program of temples along
with renovation of the existing ones in collapsing stage
was taken up with great religious fervor.
He made additions to the then hill temple and gave a face
lift to the "Garbhagiraha" He is a credited with
the building of Chera Vinayakar temple lying at the flight
of steps and receiving worship now. His figure on horse
back carved on stone is found in the exterior of northern
wall of sanctum sanctorum.
For over five centuries the temple enjoyed the administration
of Pandiyan kings and also Kongu kings ruling from the present
Erode and Coimbatore districts, then went by the name of
Kongu Nadu.
In
the thirties of seventeenth century, Ramappa Iyer Dalavai
of Thirumalai Nayak replaced "Pandaram" Priests
and oppointed Brahmin Priests, but pandaram priests are
given the sole right in the Bhogar shrine in the seventeenth
century, the temple received abundant munificence and patronage
by the Nayak rulers of Madurai. They built it Navarang and
Paravel Mandapams in the hill temple, besides making additions
to Periyanayaki Amman temple.
To cap all, as it were they issued coins bearing the figures
of Muruga with this consorts Valli and Devasona. It was
a glittering chapter in of 26 Palayars with Palani as capital
came under Mysore rulers, who handed it over to the Zamindors
in 1846, as the Government deemed them fit to carry on the
administration again in 1863, a local committee was constituted
to look after its affairs effectively.
Another
notable step was taken up by Hindu religious charitable
Endowments Administration Department in appointing specially
qualified officers, who took over the entire temple administration.
In addition to this farsighted measure, a board of Trustees
was appointed by the Government, inducting non-officials
for better amelioration of conditions from then onwards
several Endowments donations were made from time to time
by the philanthropic Public.
Multi-millionaires, the principle beneficiaries of Muruga
started emptying their treasures to donate price less items,
like Vahamas in addition to a Silver car, Golden Chariot,
and performing Kumbabhishekam to the main and other temples
in the town. Many educational, spiritual charitable institutions
were founded with the passage of time by the officers in
charge guided and supported by the Board of Trustees ably
and timely. Building of temples, Kalyanamandapams, celebration
of mass marriages, offering of "Annadanas" and
several humanitarian activities seem, racing one after another
to cover all segments at life, aimed at turning the people,
minds upwards, where from Muruga Bhagavan is seeing unseen
showering boons, liberally and timely, to the full contentment
of the true devotees.
On
account of this, no genuine devotee ever sent up sighs of
despair into high sky. Whoever knocks at the door of Muruga,
burning sins in the fire of repentance, it is opened leading
him to his lotus feet who lifts and anoint him with Abhayahastham,
exuding Karuna mrit perennially.
Hence the unprecedented popularity. Its matchless glorious
popularity and incredible speed of progress emboldened some
enthusiastic devout theists to substitute the name at their
state Tamil Nadu by Muruga Nadu. Ecstasy known no bounds,
nor devotion be confined to space. As the wish is pious,
Muruga Bhagavan utters AMEN on hearing it. Now visit the
worthy temples in and around this holy temple town.
