Stevenagok at 14:20, 5 September 2024

2024-09-05T14:20:02Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Balasubramaniyaswamy Temple
| image = Balasubramania swamy temple vennamalai.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|59|30|N|78|04|24|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =

| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Karur district|Karur]]
| location = [[Vennaimalai]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Balasubramaniyaswamy ([[Murugan]])
| primary_deity_Godess =
| utsava_deity_God =
| utsava_deity_Godess=
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Balasubramaniyaswamy temple''' (also called '''Vennaimalai Murugan temple''') in [[Vennaimalai]], a village in the outskirts of [[Karur]] in [[Karur district]] in the South Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]], is dedicated to the Hindu god [[Murugan]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is located in the Karur - Pugalur Road. The legend of the temple is associated with [[Kamadhenu]] taking up the duties of Hindu god of creation [[Brahma]] and creating the hill of butter named Vennaimalai.

The temple has an elevated structure, a three-tiered gateway tower, the [[gopuram]], leading to the sanctum. The temple is open from 6:30 am – 12:00 pm and 5 - 8:30 pm. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Panguni'' (March - April), Thai Poosam during ''Thai'' (January - February) and Karthikai during November - December being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
As per Hindu legend, [[Brahma]], the Hindu god of creation was very proud about his profession and [[Shiva]] wanted to teach him a lesson. Brahma was overloaded at one point and could not continue his profession. He realised his mistake and prayed to Shiva seeking relief. Shiva directed him to Vanjimalai to perform penance praying to Muruga. [[Kamadenu]], the divine cow, took up the role of Brahma to create beings in earth. It is believed that the cow created a hill made of butter (called ''vennai'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and the sacred tank with its milk. It was built by Thinnappa Chettiar, Karur.

==Architecture==
The temple is located in [[Vennaimalai]], in the outskirts of [[Karur]] in [[Karur district]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] on the road from Karur to Vennaimalai.<ref>{{cite book|title=Census of India, 1961: Madras Volume 9, Issue 1 of Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General|last=India. Office of the Registrar General|publisher=Manager of Publications|year=1965}}</ref> The temple has an elevated structure climbed through a flight of steps. There is a three-tiered raja''[[gopuram]]'', the gateway tower leading to the sanctum. At the bottom of the hill there is a tall granite pillar which is axial to the sanctum. The sanctum houses the image of Balasubramaniyaswamy. In the north west shrine facing the sanctum, the images of Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, the parents of Balasubramaniyaswamy are housed. There is a shrine of Vinayaga facing east in the foothills. The temple tank, Thenu theertham is located outside the temple<ref>{{cite web|title=Vennaimalai Murugan temple |url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2013/07/06084429/vennaimalai-murugan-temple-kar.html |publisher=Malaaimalar |date=6 July 2015 |accessdate=27 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208073002/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2013/07/06084429/vennaimalai-murugan-temple-kar.html |archivedate=8 December 2015 }}</ref> In modern times, the Karur district administration has identified the temple as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the district.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourist places|url=http://www.karur.tn.nic.in/tourist.htm|year=2011|accessdate=26 November 2015|publisher=Karur district administration, Government of Tamil Nadu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208192646/http://www.karur.tn.nic.in/tourist.htm|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Festival and religious practices==
The temple priests perform the ''[[puja (Hinduism)|pooja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: ''Kalasandhi'' at 8:00 a.m., ''Uchikala poojai'' at 12:00 p.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m., and ''Arthajama Pooja'' at 8:15 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm and 5 - 8:30 pm on all days except during festive occasions when it has extended timings. The major festivals of the temple include the Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Panguni'' (March - April), Thai Poosam during ''Thai'' (January - February) and Karthikai during November - December.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Balasubramaniyaswamy temple|publisher=Dinamalar |url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=979|year=2011|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> The temple also offers Annadanam scheme from 2006, where lunch is served to the devotees everyday with the arrangements made by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board.<ref name=hindu1>{{cite news|title=Govt. extends annadhanam scheme to 18 more temples|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/govt-extends-annadhanam-scheme-to-18-more-temples/article3239926.ece|work=The Hindu|date=14 January 2006|accessdate=26 November 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Murugan temples}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Karur district]]
[[Category:Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu]]

Balasubramaniyaswamy Temple - Revision history

Stevenagok at 14:20, 5 September 2024