The Velimalai Kumarkovil Subrahmanya Swami (Muruga) temple is located on a hill known as Velimalai in Kumarakoil, a small village in the district of Kanyakumari. The name Velimalai was coined from a word in Malayalam, “Veli” which can be translated as marriage. It is said to be the marriage site of Muruga and Valli. The temple is built about 200 feet high on the Velimalai hill. The main deities in this temple are Lord Muruga and Mother Valli. Hindus consider the small village of Kumarakoil as one of the holiest places for worship. It is located around 45-50km from Trivandrum airport, 15km from Nagercoil, 34km from the town of Kanyakumari, 3-5km from Thucalay town, and very close to the Noorul Islam University. In the surroundings of the temple is a big water body. Numerous devotees worship in the temple but most of them are from the state of Kerala. A lot of children get their first Oonu Kodupu in this temple.
The age of the temple is difficult to ascertain. The wedding between Mother Valli and Lord Muruga took place here. Kerala was formerly known as Malai Nadu and Veli Malai was formerly known as Velvi Malai and before that, it was called Merkadamalai which means the last part of the Western Ghats. A stone carving with writings on it that reads “Rajaathitha Thevan Perumpadai Nayagar Malai Nattu Nanthikarai Puthur” was discovered about 10 miles from the small village, Kumarakoil in Thirunanthikarai and another which reads “Malaimandalathu Ravivarmaraya Kulasekaraperuman Peruntheruvil Chetti Velayuthaperuman” discovered at Thiruvithangode. This evidence upholds the claim of Nachinarkiniyar that Earagam is definitely Malai Nattu Oru Thirupathi.
Temple’s Specialty
The amazing 10 feet tall deity of Lord Muruga stands in the temple. The Valli Kalyanam took place here, that is, the wedding of Lord Muruga with Valli. Lord Muruga looks after His devotees by endowing them with all they ask for like when the devotees sought the acceptance of Lord Muruga for professional growth, children, health, wedding, and education. Lord Muruga endows blessings, happiness and peace of mind to His devotees. These prayers are done by performing Pongal (offering pudding), tonsuring, covering the deity with sandal paste, performing Panchamirtha and Abishek, performing Tulabaram (offering coins equal to the weight of the devotee), Annadhanam (arranging feeding and offering milk), carrying Kavadi and milk pots and lighting the ghee lamps in the temple.
Temple’s Festivals
- The Vaikasi Visakam Festival is always celebrated for 10 days in Anuradha in the month of Panguni.
- The Tirukkalyanam Festival is the re-enactment of the wedding of Lord Muruga and Mother Valli and is always celebrated in the month of Panguni. It is attended by a large number of pilgrims.
- The Pushpabishekam Festival is always celebrated on the last Friday in the Aavani month. During this period, Kumaran’s image is covered with many baskets of flowers presented by the attending pilgrims.
- The Kerala Tantram is celebrated on the last Fridays in the Tamil month. It is considered as a very sacred time.
Velimalai Murugan Temple Timings
The temple is always open during the normal hours during the day.