Are you looking for a spiritual and scenic getaway in the lap of nature? If yes, then you should visit the Subrahmanya Temple in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the god of war and wisdom.
The temple is located on a hilltop, surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking views. It is one of the most popular and sacred places of worship in Kodaikanal, attracting devotees and tourists alike.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Subrahmanya Temple, including its history, architecture, timings, festivals, and how to reach. We will also give you some tips and recommendations on where to stay and what to do near the temple. Read on to find out why the Subrahmanya Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves culture, nature, and adventure.
Subrahmanya Temple History
The Subrahmanya Temple, also known as the Kartikeya Temple or the Murugan Temple, has a rich and fascinating history. The temple was built in the 19th century by a British officer named Colonel Hamilton, who was a devotee of Lord Murugan. He was inspired by the legend of Lord Murugan’s marriage to Valli, a tribal princess, who lived in the hills of Kodaikanal. According to the legend, Lord Murugan disguised himself as a tribal hunter and wooed Valli with the help of his brother Lord Ganesha. He then revealed his true identity and married her with the consent of her father. The temple was constructed to commemorate this divine union and to honour the local culture and traditions.
The temple is also associated with another legend of Lord Murugan’s victory over the demon Surapadman. According to the legend, Lord Murugan fought a fierce battle with Surapadman and his army at the seashore. He used his weapon, the Vel or the spear, to split Surapadman into two halves. One half became a peacock, which became Lord Murugan’s mount, and the other half became a rooster, which became his flag. The temple has a statue of Lord Murugan holding the Vel, with a peacock and a rooster by his side. The temple also has a shrine for Valli, where devotees offer prayers and flowers.
The temple is considered to be very powerful and auspicious, as it is believed that Lord Murugan fulfills the wishes of his devotees who visit the temple with faith and devotion. Many people also visit the temple to seek blessings for their marriage, career, health, and prosperity.
Subrahmanya Temple Architecture
The Subrahmanya Temple is a marvel of architecture and art, blending the traditional and the modern styles. The temple has a gopuram or a tower, which is typical of South Indian temples, but it also has a dome and a spire, which are influenced by the British and the Islamic designs. The temple is made of granite and marble and has intricate carvings and sculptures depicting the stories and symbols of Lord Murugan and his consort Valli.
The temple also has a mandapam or a hall, where the main idol of Lord Murugan is installed. The idol is made of panchaloha or five metals, and is adorned with jewels and flowers. The idol is also decorated with a kavacham or a armour, which is made of gold and silver, and has precious stones embedded in it. The temple also has a garbhagriha or a sanctum, where the original idol of Lord Murugan, which was brought by Colonel Hamilton, is kept. The garbhagriha is open only on special occasions, such as the Kanda Sashti festival, when the idol is taken out in a procession.
The temple also has a beautiful garden, where various flowers and plants are grown. The garden has a fountain, a pond, and a statue of Lord Ganesha. The temple also has a teertham or a holy water tank, where devotees take a dip before entering the temple. The water is said to have healing and cleansing properties, and is also used for the rituals and ceremonies in the temple.
Subrahmanya Temple Timings and Fees
The Subrahmanya Temple is open for visitors from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. The temple does not charge any entry fee, but donations are welcome. The temple also offers various services and facilities for the devotees, such as prasadam or sacred food, archana or special prayers, abhishekam or holy bath, pooja or worship, aarti or light ceremony, etc. The charges for these services vary depending on the type and the duration of the service. The temple also has a canteen and a souvenir shop, where visitors can buy snacks, drinks, and religious items.
The temple has a dress code for the visitors, which requires them to wear modest and decent clothes. Shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing outfits are not allowed. The temple also has a shoe rack, where visitors have to leave their footwear before entering the temple. The temple also has a locker room, where visitors can keep their belongings safely.
Subrahmanya Temple Festivals and Events
The Subrahmanya Temple celebrates various festivals and events throughout the year, which attract thousands of devotees and tourists. Some of the major festivals and events are:
Thaipusam:
This is the most important and grand festival of the temple, which falls in the month of Thai (January-February) according to the Tamil calendar. The festival commemorates the day when Lord Murugan received the Vel from his mother Goddess Parvati, to defeat the demon Surapadman. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and devotion, with devotees carrying kavadi or wooden frames decorated with flowers, feathers, and peacock feathers, and piercing their bodies with hooks, needles, and skewers.
The devotees also chant the name of Lord Murugan and dance in ecstasy. The festival also involves a chariot procession, where the idol of Lord Murugan is taken around the town in a decorated chariot, accompanied by music and fireworks.
Skanda Sashti:
This is another important festival of the temple, which falls in the month of Aippasi (October-November) according to the Tamil calendar. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Surapadman, after a six-day battle. The festival is celebrated for six days, with each day representing a day of the battle. The festival also involves a soorasamharam or a mock fight, where the idol of Lord Murugan is taken to the seashore, and a dummy of Surapadman is burnt. The festival also involves a thirukalyanam or a divine wedding, where the idols of Lord Murugan and Valli are married in a grand ceremony.
Panguni Uthiram:
This is another festival of the temple, which falls in the month of Panguni (March-April) according to the Tamil calendar. The festival coincides with the full moon day, when the star Uthiram is in the ascendant. The festival celebrates the birthdays of Lord Murugan, Lord Rama, and Lord Krishna, as well as the wedding anniversaries of Lord Murugan and Valli, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and Lord Rama and Sita.
The festival is celebrated with great joy and devotion, with devotees offering prayers, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities. The festival also involves a rath yatra or a car festival, where the idols of Lord Murugan and Valli are taken around the town in a decorated car, followed by a theerthavari or a water immersion, where the idols are immersed in the water tank of the temple.
How to Reach Subrahmanya Temple
The Subrahmanya Temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as road, rail, and air. Here are some of the options to reach the temple:
By Road:
The temple is located about 3 km from the Kodaikanal Bus Stand, which is well-connected to major cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. There are regular buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws available from the bus stand to the temple. The temple also has a parking lot, where visitors can park their vehicles for a nominal fee.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station to the temple is the Kodaikanal Road Railway Station, which is about 80 km away. The station is connected to major cities and towns in India, such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore, etc. There are buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws available from the station to the temple.
By Air:
The nearest airport to the temple is the Madurai Airport, which is about 120 km away. The airport is connected to major cities and towns in India, such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, etc. There are buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws available from the airport to the temple.
Where to Stay Near Subrahmanya Temple
The Subrahmanya Temple is located in a prime location in Kodaikanal, which offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors. Whether you are looking for a budget, mid-range, or luxury stay, you can find a suitable place near the temple. Here are some of the recommended hotels and resorts near the temple:
Hotel Kodai International:
This is a 3-star hotel, which is about 2 km from the temple. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, with amenities such as TV, Wi-Fi, coffee maker, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a gym, a spa, and a playground. The hotel charges around Rs. 3000 per night for a double room.
To book a stay at this hotel click here.
Sterling Kodai Lake:
This is a 4-star resort, which is about 4 km from the temple. The resort offers luxurious and elegant rooms, with amenities such as TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, balcony, etc. The resort also has a restaurant, a cafe, a lounge, a pool, a spa, and a game room. The resort charges around Rs. 5000 per night for a double room.
To book a stay at this resort click here.
The Carlton:
This is a 5-star hotel, which is about 5 km from the temple. The hotel offers lavish and stylish rooms, with amenities such as TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, jacuzzi, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a bakery, a pool, a spa, and a golf course. The hotel charges around Rs. 10000 per night for a double room.
To book a stay at this hotel click here.
Other Attractions Near Subrahmanya Temple
The Subrahmanya Temple is not the only attraction in Kodaikanal. There are many other places to visit and things to do near the temple, which will make your trip more enjoyable and memorable. Here are some of the other attractions near the temple:
Kodaikanal Lake:
This is the most famous and iconic attraction in Kodaikanal, which is about 3 km from the temple. The lake is a man-made lake, which was created by Sir Vere Henry Levinge, a British collector, in 1863. The lake is surrounded by hills, trees, and flowers, and offers a serene and scenic view. The lake also has a boating club, where visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, and pedal boating. The lake also has a cycling track, where visitors can rent bicycles and cycle around the lake. The lake also has a horse riding club, where visitors can ride horses and explore the lake area.
Bryant Park:
This is a botanical garden, which is about 4 km from the temple. The park was established by H.D. Bryant, a British officer, in 1908. The park has a collection of over 700 species of plants, flowers, and trees, which are arranged in various sections, such as rose garden, orchidarium, fernery, etc. The park also has a greenhouse, where exotic and rare plants are grown. The park also has a lake view point, where visitors can enjoy the view of the Kodaikanal Lake and the hills. The park also hosts an annual flower show in May, where various varieties of flowers are displayed and judged.
Pillar Rocks:
This is a rock formation, which is about 8 km from the temple. The rocks are three vertical granite boulders, which stand at a height of about 122 meters. The rocks are surrounded by dense forests and mist, creating a mysterious and majestic atmosphere. The rocks also have a view point, where visitors can enjoy the view of the rocks and the valley. The rocks also have a mini garden, where visitors can relax and enjoy the nature. The rocks also have a devil’s kitchen, which is a dark and deep chamber between the rocks, where bats and other creatures live.
Silver Cascade Falls:
This is a waterfall, which is about 10 km from the temple. The waterfall is formed by the overflow of the Kodaikanal Lake, and falls from a height of about 55 meters. The waterfall is named after the silver-like appearance of the water, which sparkles in the sunlight. The waterfall also has a view point, where visitors can enjoy the view of the waterfall and the hills. The waterfall also has a pool, where visitors can take a dip in the cold and refreshing water. The waterfall also has a market, where visitors can buy snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
The Subrahmanya Temple is a divine and delightful destination for anyone who wants to experience the culture, nature, and adventure of Kodaikanal. The temple is not only a place of worship, but also a place of beauty, history, and legend. The temple also offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors, such as boating, cycling, horse riding, flower show, chariot procession, etc. The temple also has a range of accommodation options for visitors, such as hotels, resorts, homestays, etc.
The temple also has many other places to visit and things to do near it, such as Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls, etc. The temple is a perfect place for a spiritual and scenic getaway in the hills.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to the Subrahmanya Temple and share your experience with us.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful and informative. Thank you for choosing Tripoto, your trusted travel partner. Have a nice day!
