Theerthamalai

 

Theerthamalai is an important scacred place in Harur taluk of Dharmapuri District. Shri Theerthagirishwarar Temple is located at the top of a hillock. Chola and Vijayanagara Kings donated liberally to this temple. A lot of devotees throng the temple during the Mahashivarathiri. The Department of Tourism has a Guest Houses for the benefit of the devotees. Theerthamalai is declared as an important tourist spot in Dharmapuri District.

It was said in old puranas that Lord Rama had worshiped Shiva in two places during his Ramavathar. One is Rameshwaram and other Theertha malai.
There are 5 holy water source in the hill temple. They are
1. Rama Theertham
2. Kumara Theertham
3. Gowri Theertham
4. Agni Theertham
5. Agasthya Theertham

Significance

This Shiva hill temple is 500meters high. It is a very old shrine and the inscriptions on this temple says Chola emperors had regularly visited theis temple including Rajendra Cholan.

Location

It is located 60Kms from Dharmapuri on the way to Thiruvannamalai via Aroor

Speciality

Rites Presided Over By Priestess

Mannarshala Temple

Mannarshala covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess.

The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are 2 main idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini.

The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple. 'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples.

Mannarshala temple at Harippad is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state.

On the day of 'Ayilliam' asterism in the Malayalam months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to illam ( the house connected with the temple) where 'Nurum Palum' (rice flour and milk), 'Kuruthi' (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime), offerings are made.

The procession is conducted with great pomp and gaiety in which the oldest female member of the family carries the Nagaraja idol. During the festival days, thousands throng the temple to worship the hooded gods.

The offerings include coins and snake effigies made of gold, silver and copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons and sandalwood.

Significance

The Largest Snake Temple in Keral

Location

32 Kms South Of Alappuzha, Kerala

Speciality

Rites Presided Over By Priestess