The Sixth Abode of Lord Murugan
Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple is revered as the sixth and final of Lord Murugan’s Arupadai Veedu – the six sacred battle stations of the divine warrior. Nestled atop the lush Solai Malai (Hill of Groves), just 24 kilometers from Madurai, this temple is steeped in myth, devotion and natural beauty. It is believed to be the very site where Lord Murugan, disguised as a playful young boy, tested the wisdom of the legendary Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.
Nearby stands the Azhagar Kovil, a famous Vishnu temple, adding further sanctity to this spiritual landscape. The great saint-poet Arunagirinathar composed soul-stirring hymns in praise of this divine hill in his Thiruppugazh. The Murugan enshrined here is venerated as “Vetri Vel Murugan“, the bearer of the victorious spear. True to its name Pazhamudircholai meaning “the grove where fruits ripen and fall” the region flourishes with vibrant greenery, symbolizing abundance and divine grace. The temple is currently maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Tamil Nadu.
Echoes of Tamil Literature
Literary references to Pazhamudircholai abound in ancient Tamil texts. Thirumurugatrupadai offers one of the earliest mentions, with the commentator Nachinarkiniyar interpreting the name as “the grove of ripened fruits”. In Kandha Puranam, the revered poet Kachiyappa Sivachariyar narrates how Lord Murugan summoned Lord Ganesha in elephant form here to help him win Valli’s hand, hinting at a connection to Valli Malai.
However, Thiruppugazh author Arunagirinathar clearly distinguishes Pazhamudircholai from Valli Malai, describing its unique features, including the sacred spring Noopura Ganga, also known as “Anklet Ganges“. The continuous devotional references over the centuries have solidified Pazhamudircholai’s status as the sixth and final abode of Lord Murugan. Fridays are considered especially auspicious, with devotees offering thinai maavu (foxtail millet flour) and honey as symbols of simplicity and devotion.
The Divine Drama: Murugan and Avvaiyar
Every one of Lord Murugan’s six abodes is associated with a divine play (Thiru Vilayadal), and at Pazhamudircholai, he humbly yet powerfully tested the ego of Avvaiyar, one of Tamil Nadu’s most venerated poetesses.
Legend says that while on her way to Madurai, Avvaiyar stopped beneath a naval (jambolan) tree, tired and hungry. A young cowherd boy perched on a branch above offered to pluck fruits for her. When she asked for them, he teasingly questioned whether she preferred hot (cooked) or uncooked fruits. Confused by the odd phrasing, she sarcastically requested the uncooked ones.
As she picked up the fallen fruits and blew off the dust, the boy mocked, “Are the fruits too hot for you, Grandma?” Realizing this was no ordinary child, Avvaiyar was humbled. At that moment, the boy revealed his true form Lord Murugan himself, granting her divine grace. The very naval tree under which this episode occurred still stands on Solai Malai, just before reaching the temple.
The Miraculous Spring – Noopura Ganga
A short distance above Pazhamudircholai lies the serene Rakkayi Amman Temple, and beside it, the sacred spring Noopura Ganga, also called Silambaru (the Anklet River). Flowing continuously for over a thousand years, this pristine stream is used for sacred ablutions by devotees. Water from Noopura Ganga is also used in preparing the famed Samba Dosai offered at the nearby Azhagar Temple.
Festivals of Devotion and Joy
The temple comes alive during Kanda Sashti, a major festival dedicated to Lord Murugan. Other significant celebrations include Thaipusam, Vaikasi Visakam and Kiruthigai during which special abhishekams (ritual baths) and pujas are conducted. These occasions draw thousands of devotees, all eager to receive the divine blessings of Vetri Vel Murugan.
Ways to reach Pazhamudircholai
Located about 27 kilometers north of Madurai, Pazhamudircholai sits atop Azhagar Malai, a hill blanketed with dense forest. Regular buses run from Madurai’s Periyar Bus Stand to the foothills. From there, special transport services arranged by the Kallazhagar Temple take pilgrims up the winding 15-minute drive to the summit. Private vehicles are also permitted with a nominal fee.
At the summit awaits the serene, sacred Solai Malai, and within it, the temple where faith meets nature and legends come alive.
Gallery of Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple:
