Belukurichi Palaniappa Temple
Belukurichi is a small village on a hillock called Koogai malai, in the Kolli range found in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. The Kolli hills are in the Southern part of the Eastern Ghats, yet untouched by commercial tourism which has helped them retain their surreal beauty. The hills find mention in epics like Silapathikaram, Manimekalai, Purananooru and Ainkurunooru. The village had been originally named after Lord Muruga (called Palani Appa) as Velavan Kurichi.The Palani Appa temple is simple yet beautiful and the Lord totally enchanting. One can see Lord Muruga in various forms across temples - as Baladhandayuthapani, Gnana Skandan, Brahma Sastha, Subrahmanya, Arumuga, Valli Devasena Pathi, Jayanthi Nathan etc. but Lord Palani Appa of Belukurichi is unique and exquisite.
So why is he called Palani Appa? Does this temple have any connection with the one at Palani? Bhogar, one of the eighteen Siddhars had the ability to make statues out of an elixir containing nine poisonous materials, termed Navapashanam. Water used to bathe these idols could cure chronic ailments. The famous navapashana statue made by him is in Palani hills. The deity here in Belukurichi is said to have been created by Bhogar much ahead of the one in Palani, using the Pashanams available in Kolli hills and hence the Lord is called Palani Appa ( the one that came before Palani).
A view of the Kolli Hills from atop the Belukurichi temple
But thats not all. The deity has some many unique features that cannot be seen elsewhere. The Lord faces West in the guise of a hunter. His hair is pulled into a knot on the right side of his head and a string of Konrai flowers (Golden shower) is tied around it. The flowers have been etched in the statue itself.Three lines of sacred ash with a spear (Vel) in the middle are found on his forehead, again etched into the statue. This symbolises a union of Shiva and Shakthi. A string of golden shower flowers are tied around his waist, wherein hangs a dagger. He holds a Vajravel in his right hand, and carries a rooster in his left hand. He wears wooden footwear too!
The enchanting Palani Appa of Belukurichi!
Usually, when deities are depicted holding weapons, the height of the weapon does not exceed the height of th statue. However, here we find that the spear is shown much longer than the height of Lord Palani Appa. The spear, has three parts, representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively. They are said to have bestowed their powers to Lord Muruga here because of which the spear is depicted higher than the deity.The midnight puja on full moon days at this temple is very significant. The eighteen Siddhars are said to worship the Lord Palani Appa at this time. The abhishekam and alankarams are all completed by 11.50 pm and the doors of the sanctum are closed and all the devotees move outside the temple and wait. At the stroke of midnight, the doors are opened. Signs of puja having been performed, and visible signs of changes in the alankaram are witnessed to this day symbolising the visit of the Siddhars to worship Lord Palani Appa.
Once the abhishekam is complete, sweat emanates in three places - tip of the nose, chin and chest of the deity. Each one of them has a different fragrance!
A Shiva lingam has been etched above the entrance of the sanctum. On the ceiling of the Artha Mandapa, two snakes have been depicted swallowing the Sun and the Moon. A green stone has been placed right below it. Sitting on it and meditating on Lord Palani Appa, is said to answer genuine prayers.
Peacock, the vahana of the Lord is found in the Maha Mandapa. The Tiruchengode hill where Lord Shiva and Parvathi are found as Ardhanareeswara can be seen at eye level from the head of the peacock. It seems as though Shiva and Shakthi are watching over the son who has been created with both their features, right from their abode.
The temple in which Palani Appa is housed, has been originally built by Valvil Ori, who ruled this region around 200 CE. He was one of the seven philanthropists mentioned in Sanga Literature. Tales of his valour are being sung as part of folk lore even today. A statue of Valvil Ori is found at the entrance of the temple complex. Poet Avvaiyaar has also worshipped the deity here.
Kanda Shasti festival which begins today is celebrated with great festivity here. Apart from that, other festivals like Thai poosam, Panguni Uthram and Krithigai are also celebrated.
Other deities at Belukurichi
Apart from Palani appa, there are shrines for Ganesha, Goddess Kumarinayaki, Vishnu, Krishna, Nagas and Shani.If you want to spend some quiet time, in the serene company of an enchanting deity, in the ethereal beauty of the Kolli hills, this is your destination.
How to get here:
Belukurichi is about 25 kilometres from Namakkal. On the Namakkal - Tiruchengodu route, Belukurichi is about 13 kms from Sendamangalam.
Temple Timings:
The temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
On full moon days, the temple is open from 8 am in the morning till 5 am the next morning.
Contact: 95244 49931
