the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Lord Muruga

There is a small temple in typical Pallava style on the hill with a small sanctum and a mandapam. The Lord is in the form Brahmasastā having rosary and kamandala in two hands. The other two hands are in abhaya mudra and resting upon the hip. Generally in Thondai Mandalam (north Tamil Nadu) Pallava and early Chola images conform to this Brahmasastā form. About three feet high with Valli and Devasena as consorts, these are beautiful moolasthana vigrahas. Jnanamalai is also where Saint Arunagirinathar was blessed with Yogaanubhooti and darshan of the lotus feet of Lord Muruga. This Hill temple of Lord Muruga is situated in the village Govindaseri and is surrounded by lake and fertile plains. The temple is dated about more than 1300 years ago, with the moola vigraha dating back to Pallava era. On the west side there is a very small Siva shrine. Behind this shrine one can see the unique divine Footsteps on the solid rock. This is a volcanic hill and who can put his foot in this molten rock (temperature of 1800 degrees C) to leave a mark on solidification except Lord Muruga who was carried by none other than Agni (Lord of Fire)!  About 600 years ago Saint Arunagirinathar worshipped this temple and the Lord has revealed his Lotus Feet. The one and only internal evidence about the saint�s life where he says he was dejected with this life and when he tried to end his life by jumping from the gopuram (tower) Lord Muruga saved him by showing his Feet. Arunagiri himself reveals this information in his Tiruppugazh �manaiyaval nagaikka��