வயலூர் முருகன் கோயில்Vayalur Murugan Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

Vayalur, at Kumaravayalur near Tiruchirappalli, is a revered Murugan shrine where the Lord is worshipped as Arumugar with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Though not counted among the six canonical Arupadai Veedu, it is deeply honoured in Murugan devotion. The temple's celebrated feature is its sacred tank, the Shakti Theertham (also called Agni Theertham), which legend says Murugan himself brought forth by striking the ground with his Vel; its waters are held to be spiritually potent. Vayalur is especially associated with the saint-poet Arunagirinathar, who is said to have worshipped here and sung the Lord's praises in his Thiruppugazh hymns while journeying among Murugan's shrines. The Chola-era sanctum, later enriched by Pandya and Vijayanagara patronage, enshrines Murugan as the granter of grace and vanquisher of ignorance, the Vel symbolising the destruction of evil. Chief festivals include Vaikasi Visakam, Thai Poosam, Panguni Uthiram, Adi Krithikai, Thiru Karthigai and Skanda Sashti.