Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple, Madurai

Deity

Lord Murugan with Valli and Deivanai

Significance

Sixth of the Arupadai Veedu

Timings

5:30 am–1 pm, 4–9 pm

Nearest railway station

Madurai Junction

Nearest airport

Madurai

The story of the fruit

The best-known legend here involves the Tamil poetess Avvaiyar. Resting under a tree on a hot day, she was approached by a young boy who offered to shake down some fruit and asked whether she wanted it roasted or unroasted. Puzzled, she chose unroasted; the fruit fell into the sand, and when she blew on it to clean it, the boy laughed and asked if it was too hot. Realising the child was Murugan in disguise, she understood the lesson in humility.

A naval (jamun) tree beside the shrine is honoured as the one from the story. Devotees note that it bears fruit around October–November, at the time of the Kanda Sashti festival, rather than in the usual summer season.

What you will see

The temple follows the Nayak style of Madurai, with a carved stone mandapam and a modest tower, surrounded by thick forest. A short climb further up the hill leads to Nupura Gangai, a natural spring whose water pilgrims consider sacred and carry home. The Silambar stream flows nearby, and the whole area stays noticeably cooler than the city below.

People come to pray for relief from obstacles to marriage and childbirth and for general well-being. Major festivals include Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Krithigai, Panguni Uthiram and Kanda Sashti.

Timings and dress

Darshan runs in two sessions: 5:30 am–1 pm, then 4–9 pm. Modest traditional clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected.

How to reach

There are no long flights of steps; the hill road goes close to the shrine, and a temple van service runs from the foot of the hill near Alagar Kovil. Walkers can take the forest path instead. Buses run from Madurai's Periyar bus stand and other city stands towards Alagar Kovil. Madurai Junction is the nearest railway station and Madurai Airport the nearest airport, and the drive from the city takes under an hour. We can combine it with Alagar Kovil and Thiruparankundram in a Madurai temple day.

Also nearby