Aarupadai Sri Solaimalai Murugan temple

Aarupadai Sri Solaimalai Murugan temple

Festival: Tamil New Year Day falling almost on April 14; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aadi Kruthika in July-August; Annual abishek festival on Aavani Pooram in August-September; Skanda Sashti in October-November; Mondays of Karthikai month and Tirukarthikai in November-December and Panguni Uthiram are the festivals celebrated in the temple.  Temple's Speciality: Naaval tree usually yields fruits only during Aadi and Aavani months from July-September. Strangely, the tree in the place yields fruits in the Aipasi month (October-November) a month when Lord Muruga’s Sashti festival occurs. Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. continuously. Address: Sri Solai Malai Murugan Temple,Solai Malai(pazhamuthir cholai), Azhagarkoil, Madurai district. Phone: +91- 452-247 0228  General Information: This is the only one among Muruga’s Aaru Padai Veedu temples, where He graces the devotees with His consorts Valli and Deivanai.  The wedding festival is celebrated along with Skanda Sashti festival.  Also, this is the historical place where Lord played with the ripe Tamil poetess Avvaiyar asking her what fruit she wished, cooked or uncooked – Sutta Pazham or Sudadha Pazham.

Prayers People pray here for wedding, child and academic boons. Thanks giving: Realizing their wishes, devotees perform milk abishek to Lord Muruga and offer vastras.  Greatness Of Temple: During the early days, there was a Vel only in the temple.  Later, an idol of Muruga in a standing posture with His consorts Valli and Deivanai and the Aadhi Vel with a peeta was made.  Lord Vithaga Vinayaka is on the right of His younger brother.  This is the only temple among the Aaru Padai Veedu where Lord Muruga graces the devotees with His consorts.  People bathe in the sweet Noopura Ganga and worship the Guardian Deity Rakkayi Amman.  While the Naaval trees yield fruits in July-September months, the tree here yields fruits in Aipasi – October-November when Lord Muruga’s Skanda Sashti festival takes place.  Lord Kallazhagar temple is at the foot of the hills.  Sholaimalai Murugan temple is at the top.

Temple History: A staunch Lord Muruga devotee, ripe old in wisdom and age, poetess Avvaiyar was passing through this place.  She authored many verses teaching children and grown ups as well highest truths to enlighten souls.  Lord Muruga, in the guise of a shepherd sitting on a Naaval tree, saw Avvaiyar weary and relaxing under a tree, asked her if could help her with fruits to quench her thirst.  When the poetess expressed her wish, He asked whether she wanted cooked or uncooked fruits.  Avvai could not understand what he meant, yet asked for the cooked ones.  He dropped the fruits.  Avvai tried to remove the dust on them by mouth breathing.  Lord asked whether the fruits were hot – as they were ripe.  The poetess then understood the meaning – cooked or uncooked fruits – Sutta pazham or Sudadha pazham in Tamil.  Lord Muruga smiled at her. The philosophy behind the story is that human mind is covered by the dust of materialism which should be removed to see truth and realize God.  This will be possible only if only humans develop wisdom and true knowledge

Special Features: Miracle Based: Naaval trees yield fruits only in July-September months. In Sholaimalai also known as Azhagar koil they yield fruits in October-November when Skanda Sashti festival occurs.  Location : Azhagar koil is 23 km from Madurai Central Bus Stand. Sholaimalai Murugan temple is 3 km from this place. Temple administration operates bus service to and fro from the temple.  Near By Railway Station : Madurai Near By Airport :    Madurai  Accomodation :Madurai:  Pandian Hotel: +91-452-435 6789 Hotel Sangam: +91-452-253 7531; 424 4555 Hotel Tamilnadu: +91-452-253 7461 – 5 lines Hotel Supreme: +91-452-234 3151; 301 2222 Hotel Prem Nivas: +91-452-234 2532 to 33; 437 8787 Hotel Park Plaza: +91-301 1111; 234 2112 Hotel Northgate: +91-452-438 3030 (4 lines); 252 3030 (4 lines) Hotel Keerthi: +91-452-437 7788; 437 8899 Hotel Golden Park: +91-452-235 0863 Hotel Rathna Residency: +91-452-437 0441 and 2; 437 4444